Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-07
IT as likely to present any perplexing is

The desire of the navy department, Mr..
Long said. was merely to get the sup
plies TO Cuba on the most available YES
SELL There were three of these now at
Key West, the Montgomery. Nashville and
one Of these. Mr.. Long said. would be de-
signated for the trip. The Fern is a dis
patch boat rather than an armed naval
vessel. and her availability for this mission
had not previously been suggested. Her
choice would probably remove all ground
for objection, as she has none of the char
acteristics Of war vessel. Mr.. Long
said, however. that the only decision thus
far reached was that one of the naval
vessels-Montgomery,N Nashville or Fern
should make the trip. AS this is the first
time public mention has been made of the
Fern in connection with carrying the sup
plies it might be inferred that she will
make the trip.
The official orders, however. continue to
stand as they were originally made. de-
signaling the Montgomery and Nashville,
but these could be changed readily if the
Fern were felt best suited for the work.
Warships Not Suited to the Purpose.
The naval officers have felt from the first
that the Montgomery and Nashville were
lily adapted for carrying supplies. They
are essentially fighting machines. and ev-
cry inch of available room is taken with
their own supplies Of cordage, canvas. coal.
etc. This was so apparent that the plans
tod he
deck, covering them with tarpaulins. and
trusting to the weather and quick trip
10 keep the provisions and clothing from
damage. The Fern, not being so essentially
a fighting machine. but more of the type of
yacht for the speedy conveyance of naval
dispatches. has considerable more room for
slowing supplies, both below and on deck.
sending seventy-five tons to Key West. but
this has now been increased to 100 tons.
1t left New York on one of the Mallory line
Of boats yesterday, and is due at Key
West next Wednesday. The transfer will
take a day, and the plan has been to have
the government ship start next Thursday
for Cuba.
ANchch Necocu.
The decision of the administration to send
supplies to the reconcentrados in Cuba was
arrived at early in the week. General Lee
had represented that he had been unable
to distribute the goods that had been re-
ceived in answer to the proclamation of
the president to the American people. He
reported that many tons OF these supplies
were stored In Havana, and could not be
forwarded to the eastern end of the island.
The United States consuls at Matanzas
and Sagua La Grande had come in person
TO Havana to seek for relief after report
ing 10 the state department the terrible
conditions existing in their respective dis
tricts.
The state department Immediately insti-
tuted inquiries, and, learning that the orig
inal decree of the Spanish government
authorizing the free admission Of supplies
applied only to the port of Havana. Sc
cured permission for the free reception OF
these supplies at all ports.
The next obstacle met was the difficulty
of trans-shipping the goods from Havana
eastward. there being semi-weekiy serv.
ice by steamer and that subject to many
vexatious local restrictions.
gomery returned from her cruise, which
included the Cuban ports of Matanzas lant
Santiago. the officers brought narrowing
tales of the distress existing there. Cap
tain CrowninshieId, the chief of the navi
cation bureau of the navy department, az
officer of the soundest discretion and judg
ment, was on the ship, an accidental pas
senger. He told President Mckinley di
rectly what he had learned.
warahIps Ordered Sent.
The result was the Immediate decision o
the navy department to accede to the re
quest of the relief committee in Nev
York to forward their supplies to tn
Eastern ports OF Cuba. One of the Ameri
can lines of steamships running to New
York had offered to take the bounteous con
tributions of the American people to Ke,
West and the president himself gave tn
order for their carriage to Eastern Cub;
by any of the available ships Of the Nortl
Atlantic squadron.
The announcement by the Associated
Press of the purpose of the government
10 send supplies to Cuba on naval vesseli
was made last Wednesday. Within TWEEN
ty-four hours there were signs of resist
ance on tn the part of the Spanish gov
ernment. At first this took the shap,
of a formal inquiry by the Spanish charg,
daffairs as to the correctness of the re
port, the inquiry being couched in al
incf edulous tone, and later when the af
firmatlon came, there was lodged, not
formal protest, but rather an insinuatiol
that the movement of the naval ship
would not be acceptable; that it would b
construed into an act of active sympath.
on the part OF the government of tn
United States with the insurgents Blu
the president had satisfied himself tha
the course he had chosen, that of sendin
the supplies in naval vessel was tn
only one that promised sufficient an
prompt relief. There was no time 70
polite diplomatic exchange of notes. wher
according to General Lees advice, peopl
were pcrishing from hunger by hundred
every day in Cuba, and the Spanish charg
was SO informed.
Much Excitement in Washington.
Senor DuBosc. when seen al the SPANS
legation to-day. could add little TO the fun
of information on the two subjects whic
were attracting so much official and publ
attention. He had received no word fror
his government concerning General Lee
and he stated positively that no suggestion
concerning General Lees retirement ha
been submitted by him TO the state depar
ment.
As 10 the sending of relief supplies by ii
Montgomery and Nashville. Mr.. DuBos
said he felt that merchant vessels we,
much better equipped for such service. an
their use was not open to that msconstru
tion possible in sending supplies by vesse
of the navy.
The news concerning General Lee arouse
the deepest interest, and no little excit
ment, throughout Washington. and for II
time being the usual quiet of Sunday evel
ing side In hntel cnrridnrs nj