The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-03-03
Is NOT MEANT AS A MENACE
DECISION TO SEND TWO WARSHIPS
no CUBAN WATERS.

They VIII Carry Supplies TO Starving In
habitants and the Understanding is That
They viii Leave Port as Soon as the
Goods Are Delivered to the Agents of Re
lief efAssociation-Naval Court of Inquiry
Washington, March 2.-The decision
of the navy department to send two
ships to Cuba with supplies for the
suffering caused some commotion in
official circles here to-day until the
real purpose Of the visit came out. The
cruiser Montgomery and the gunboat
Nashville were selected for the purpose
and orders were sent to Admiral Sicard
to put them in shape for the required
service. 1t is explained at the navy de-
partment that this action was taken at
the instance of the Cuban relief ex-
pedltion. 1t was represented to the
department that great distress prevail
ed among the people in the vicinity of
Sagua la Grande and Matanzas on the
considerable difficulty was experienced
in sending supplies there because of
the infrequent visit Of the merchant
ships. On this account the officers of
the association requested the secretary
of the navy to authorize the use of one
or more of the warships at Key West
in the transportation thereof Of food
supplies. The Montgomery will go to
Matanzas and the Nashville to Sagua
la Grande, with the understanding that
they will remain in those ports only
long enough to deliver the supplies to
the agents of the association for dis
tribution where they will do the most
good.
To remove the impression that had
gotten abroad to the effect that the re-
lations between the navy department
and the house naval committee were
not harmonious, Secretary Long this
afternoon said: Congressman Boutelle
has been misunderstood. The con-
gressman, who is one of the most pa
triotic men in the world, is always
ready to do everything that can be
done for the navy. In his annual re-
port. the. secretary recommended that
1,500 men be added to the enlisted force
on account of the increase in the num-
ber of ships. The naval committee OF
which Mr.. Boutelle is chairman has de-
cided to grant this increase in the reg
ular naval appropriation bill. Mean
time if there should be any immediate
necessity for more men, the same COM
mittee and Mr.. Boutelle as its chair
man are ready to make provision tc
that effect at once"
1t Is said in the navigation bureau
that there is pressing need of able
mechanics for the navy caused by the
fact that several of those on the Maine
lost their lives by the disaster The
bureau has invited enlistments from
men who have had naval service before
in the engine rooms and as it is said
that a number of these men are now
enjoying their three months period of
time between enlistments during which
they may come again into the naval
service without loss of service records.
it is hoped that some of them will come
forward to fill the places vacated by
the Maine disaster.
There Is no unusual stir or activity
about the bureaus of the quartermas-
ter general or the comm1ssary general
of the army, where more than any
where else the preparations for war
like emergency would be apparent
The officers of these bureaus say
no accumulation of additional supplies
is taking place and that no contracts
for extra supplies are in contemplation
In the ordnance bureau the placing OF
a large order for projectiles is the re-
suit of talks between Secretary Alger
Senator Hawley of the senate commit
| tee on military affairs and representa-
tives of the house military committee
1t was made clear to the secretary that
| it was certainty that appropriations
| would be Forthcoming and it was deem
ed the part of wisdom to make the
| contract now as the supplies would NOT
| be in hand for some months
NAUAT nnuDn <xs rNnUrrnw