The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-07
LEE WILL STAY.
(ConcIuded FROM First Page)


been suggested. Her choice would probably
remove all ground for objection, as she has
none of the characteristics of a war vessel.
Mr. Long said, however, that the only de-
cision thus far reached was that one Of the
naval VesselS-the Montgomery, NashVllle
or Eern--should make the trip. AS this is
the first time public mention has been made
of the Fern in connection with carrying the
supplies, 1t might be inferred that she Will
make the trip.
The official orders, however, continue to
stand as they were originally made, desig-
mating the Montgomery and Nashville, but
these could be changed readily If the Fern
was felt to best suit for the work. The
naval officials have felt from the first that
the Montgomery and Nashville were Ill
adapted for carrying supplies. They are es-
Sentially fighting machines, and every men
of available room is taken with their own
supplies of cordage, canvas, coal, etc. This
was SO apparent that the plans contem-
plated putting the relief supplies on deck,
covering them with tarpaulin, and trusting
to the weather and a quick trip TO keep the
provisions and clothing from damage Inc
chine, but more of the type OF yacht Tor
the speedy conveyance of naval dispatches
has considerable more room for slowing
supplies, both below and on deck. The Gu
ban relief committee counted on sending
seventy-fiVe tons to Key West but this has
1t left New York on one of the Mallory line
boats yesterday, and is due at Key west
next Wednesday, The transfer WIN take
government ship start next Thursday for
Cuba. ...s...
WAY WAR SHIPS WE'RE CHOSEN.
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 UNI
able to distribute the goods that had been
received 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 reporting
to the State Department the terrible condi-
tons existing in their respective districts.
The State Department Immediately 1nSu-
tuted inquiries, and, learning that the orig
inal decree of the Spanish government au-
thorizing the free admission of supplies APP
piled only to the port Of Havana. secured
permission for the free reception sof these
supplies at all ports. The next obstacle
met was the difficulty of transshippng the
goods from Havana eastward there being
a semi-Weekly service by steamer and that
subject to many vexatious local restric-
tons.
When the United States cruiser Montgom-
cry returned from her cruise, which in
cluded the Cuban ports of Matanzas and
Santiago, the officers brought narrowing
tales of the distress existing there. Cap
tain Crowinshield, the chief of the Navga-
ton Bureau of the Navy Department, an
ment was on the ship, an accidental pas
senger. He told President Mckinley direct
ly what he had learned. The result was the
immediate decision of the Navy Depart
ment to accede to the request of the relief
committee in New York to forward their
supplies to the eastern ports of Cuba One
ming to New York had offered to take the
bounteous contributions of the American
people to Key West, and the President him
selt gave the order for their carriage to
eastern cuba by any of the available ships
of the North Atlantic squadron
AN INSINUATION.
The announcement by the Associated
Press of the purpose of the government to
send supplies to Cuba on naval vessels was
made last Wednesday. Within twenty-four
hours there were signs of resistance on the
part of the Spanish government. At first
this took the shape of a formal inquiry by
the Spanish charge d'affaires, Senior Du
Bose, as to the correctness of the report,
the inquiry being couched in an increduous
tone, and later, when the affirmation came,
there was lodged, not formal protest, but
rather an insinuation that the movement
OF the naval ships would not be acceptable;
tnat IL would be construed into an act of
active sympathy on the part of the gov
eminent of the United States with the in
surgents. But the President had satisfied
himself that the course he had chosen that
or sending the supplies in naval vessel,
was the only one that promised sufficient
ana pTOIlpI FelleI. Inere was no time Tor
polite diplomatic exchange of notes, when,
according to General Lees advice, people
were per1shing from hunger by hundreds
every day In Cuba, and the Spanish charge
daffaires was so informed.
Senior Du Bose, when seen at the Spanish
legation to-day, could add little to the fund
of information on the two subjects which
were attracting so much official and public
attention. He had received no word from
his government concerning General Lee, and
he stated positively that no suggestions
concerning General Lees retirement had
been submitted by him to the State Depart
ment. As to the sending of relief supplies
by the Montgomery and Nashville, Mr.. Du
Bose said he felt that merchant vessels
We're much better equipped for such service
and their use was not open to that miscon-
struction possible in sending supplies by
vessels of the navy.
The news concerning General Lee aroused
the deepest interest and no little excite
ment throughout Washington. and for the
time being the usual quiet of Sunday even
ing was put aside. In hotel corridors, at the
clubs, and in all public places it was the
absorbing topic, and not since the Maine
disaster was such widespread popular inter-
est evinced in the Spanish situation.
The report was denied officially tonight
that the Columbia had been ordered to
Key West as soon as she could he made
ready for the voyage. The frigate Essex,
which was sighted off San iy Hook. 1t was
stated, was on her way from Norfolk With
he anpraOtfpa hOyS N Nau YORK