The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-07

rghtinE machine. butfnore OF the type OF
a yacht for the speedy conveyance OF
naval dispatches. has considerable more
room for slowing supplies both below
and on deck. The Cuban relief commit
tee counted on sending 70 tons to Key
West. but this has now been increased
to 100 tons. II left New York on one
OF the Mallory line OF boats Saturday
and is due at Key West next Wednes-
day. The transfer Will take a day, and
the plan has been 10 have the govern
ment ship start next Thursday for Cuba.
The decision OF the administration TO
send supplies TO the reconcentrsdos In
Cuba was arrived at early in the week.
General Lee had represented that he had
been unable TO distribute the goods that
sad been received In answer TO the
proclamation of the president to the
American people. Many tons OF these
provisions are stored i'm Havana and can
not be forwarded TO the eastern end OF
the island. The United States consuls
at Matanzas and Sagua La Grande had
come in person 70 Havana to seek for re-
lief after reporting to the state depart
ment the terrible conditions existing in
their respective districts. The depart
ment Immediately instituted inquiries.
and, learning that the original decree OF
the Spanish government, authorizing
the free admission OF supplies applied
mission for the free reception of these
supplies at all ports.
The next obstacle met was the clfn-
Guilty OF trans-shipping the goods from
Havana eastward, there being a semi
"A Ia
Ject TO many vexatious restrictions.
Within "a hours OF the announcement to
use naval vessels there were signs OF re-
sistance on the part OF the Spanish gov
ernment. At first this took the shape OF
formal inquiry by Mr.. Du Bose as to
the correctness of the report, the inquiry
being couched IN an increduIous tone.
Later. when the affirmati tion came, there
was lodged not formal protest, but
rather an insinuation that the move
ment OF the naval ships would not be
acceptable: that it would be construed
INTO an active sympathy on the part OF
the government OF the United States
with the insurgents. The president had
satisfied himself that the course he had
chosen, that OF sending the supplies in
naval vessel, was the only one that
promised sufficient and prompt relief
There was no time for an exchange of
notes, when, according to General Lees
advices, people were Dershing from
hunger by hundreds every day in Cuba.
and the Spanish charge Was so informed.
When seen at the Spanish legation. Du
Bose could add little TO the fund OF in
formation on the two subjects which
were attracting SO much official and pub
lie attention. He had received no word
from his government concerning Cen
eral Lee, ana he stated positively that
no suggestions concerning General Lees
retirement had been submitted by him to
the state department AS to sending the
relief supplies by the Montgomery and
Nashville, Mr.. Du Bose felt that mer-
chant vessels were much better equipped
for such service. and their use was not
open TO that misconstruction possible
in sending supplies by vessels of the
navy.
The news concerning General Lee
aroused the deepest interest and no
little excitement throughout Washing
ton, and for the time being the usual
quiet or Sunday evening was put aside.
In hotel corridors, at the clubs and in all
public places 1t was the absorbing topic.
and not since the Maine disaster was
popular interest so evinced in the Span
ish situation.