The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-03
Nashville 01d Montgomery OIdeIedIO
Cory Supplies 10 Sufferers.
VESSELS WILL NOT TOUCH At HAVANA
Great Distress Prevailing on tho Is.
fnnd-Sccrctary Kong COrrccts am
tho Naval Committeo-Mianto
mah and Kntahdin I'm In Commission.
Washington, D. c., March 2, 1895,

Washington, D. c.. March 2, 1898.
The decision of the Navy Depart
ment to send two ships to Cuba with
supplies for the suffering reconcen-
trados caused some commotion in of1-
cial circles to-day until the real pur-
port OF the visit of the ships came out.
The cruiser Montgomery and the gun
boat Nashville were selected for the
purpose and orders sent to Admiral ST.
card to put them in shape for the re-
quired service. 1t is explained at the
Navy Department that this action was
taken at the instance of the Cuban Re
lief Associa ton, organized through the
efforts of the State Department, for the
relief of the destitute non-combatants
In Cuba 1t was represented to the
department that great distress prevails
among the people in the vicinity of
Sargua la Grande and ATatanzas, on
the northern coast of the island, and
that considerable difficulty is exper-
ienced in sending supplies there be-
cause OF the infrequent visits OF the
merchant ships. On this account, and
because of the Immediate demand for
supplies at the point Indicated, the
officers of the association requested the
Secretary of the Navy to authorize the
use OF one or more warshiDs at Key
West III the transportation of food
supplies contributed by the charitable
people Of the United States in response
TO the appeals Of President Mckinley
and Secretary Sherman. Secretary
Long conferred with the President on
the subject and it was decided to COM
and the Nashville were selected as
most suitable for the service and the
necessary orders were dispatched TO
Admiral Sicard The Montgomery will
80 10 Mat9n2as and the Nashville to
Easua la Grandc with the understand
only long endnsh> >tS aeliser the supplies
to the agents 'of%the association FOR DIS
tribut.on where they will do the most
good. Although the mission assigned
to the warshirs will take them both
within short distance Of Havana
estimated ut from two or -four hours
1t is stated that neither vessel will
visit the Cuban Capital
AIN ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION.
To remove the impression that had
gotten abroad 10 the effect that the re-
lationS between the Navy Department
and the House Naval Committee were
not harmonious, Secretary Long this
afternoon gave out n short statement
on the subject. H,, said:
Congressman Boutellc has been mis-
understood. The Congressman, who is
one Cf the most patriotic men in the
world, is always ready TO do everything
that can be done for the navy. In his
annual report the Secretary recon-
mended that 800 men be added to the
enlisted force on account of the in
crease In the number Of ships. The
Naval Committee, of which Mr.. Bou-
telle Is chairman, has already decided
to grant this increase in the regular
naval appropriation bill Meantime, if
there should be any immediate neces-
sty for more men. the same committee,
and Mr.. Boutelle as its chairman, are
ready to make provision to that effect
at once"
C!NBIIEGRIAAI FROM GEN. LEE.
"a cableGram came from General Lee
during the day to the State Depart
ment, but II made no reference TO the
Maine affair being devoted to the per-
iodical statement of the amount of to-
bacco that is being shipped from Cuba
to United States ports, thus giving evil
dence OF the actual removal of the ex-
port prohibition decree. The telegram
was as follows:
Filler tobacco February &c. 72 bales.
Tampa; 90 Key West; 5S4 Chicago; 10
Milwaukee; 2Sth, 2Si New York"