The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-07

cal course In not expected. however. and
all the Indications reaching officials here
with the incident.
The action regarding the cruiser Mont
gomery and gunboat Nashville Is looked
upon BY offiosals here as much less grave
than that efYecting Gen. Lee. Secretary
Long said tonight he did no, regard the
question as 10 what ship should carry the
relief supplies as serious In any way. or
as likely to present any perplexlng issues.
The desire OF the navy department. Mr..
Long said. was merely to get the supplies
20 Cuba on the most available vessel
There were three OF these now at Key
West. the Montgomery. Nashville and
Fern. alike available for the service and
one OF these. Mr.. Long said. would be desig
mated for the trip The Fern il dispatch
boat. unarrned naval vessel. and her avail
ability for this mission had not previously
been suggested. Her choice would prob
ably remove all ground for objection as
she has none OF the characteristics OF war
vessel. Mr.. Long said. however. that the
only difficulty thus far reached was that
one OF the naval vessels--Montgomery
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 supplies. 1t might be inferred
that she will make the trip. The official
orders. however. continue to stand as they
were originally made. designating the
Montgomery and Nashville. but these could
be changed readily II the Fern was felt
best suited for the work. The naval off,
GERS have felt from the first that the Mont
gomery and Nashville were lily adapted
for carrying supplies. They are essentially
fighting machines. and every inch of avail
able room Is taken with their own sup
piles Of cordage. canvas. coal. etc. This
was so apparent that the plans contemplate
ed putting the relief supplies on deck.
covering them with tarpaulins and trust
ing 10 the weather and a quick trip 10
keep the provisions and clothing from dam
age The Fern not being essentially a
fighting machine. but more OF the type OF
a yacht for the speedy conveyance OF nav
al dispatches. has considerable more room
for slowing supplies. both below and on
deck.
The Cuban relief committee counted on
sending seventyfye tons TO Key West. but
this has now been increased to 100 tons
II left New York on one of the Mallory
lire boats yesterday and Is due at Key
West next Wednesday. The transfer viii
take day. and the plan has been to have
the government ship start next Thursday
for Cuba.
The decision OF the administration TO
send supplies 70 the reconcentrados IN
Cuba was arrived at early In the week
Gen. Lee had represented that he had been
unable 20 distribute the goods that had
been received. In answer TO the proclama-
ton Of the president to the American
people He reported that many tons Of
these supplies were stored in Havana and
could not be forwarded 10 the eastern end
OF the island. The United States consuis
at Matauxas and sagua Ia Grande had
come In person to Havana 10 seek for
relief. reporting 10 the state department
the terrible conditions existing IN their
respective districts
The state department immediately in
stiteted Inquiries. and learning that the
orig'nsi'decTee OF the Spanish government
authorizing the free admission ~ supplies
applied only 10 the port OF Havana, Sc
cured permission fer the free recension
OF these supplies AZ ali ports The next
obstacle met was the difficulty OF trans
shipping the goods from Havana east
ward, there being a ssmi-weekiy service
BY steamer, and that subject TO many
vexatious local restrictions. when the
United States cruiser Montgomery re-
turned from hor cruise. Including Matan-
Eas and Santiago. the officers brought
narrowing tales 81 the distress existing
there CART CrownlnsAleld. the chief ~
the navigation bureau et the navy de-
parimens. an oitleer Of the Sounds, Dis
crsuon and Judgment was on til SHIN
an accidental passenger.
He tod President Mckinley what h h,s
learned Tho rcssilt was the tmms.1l,ss
decision OF the navy department TO arrefa
% re geGaes; ~ the relief committee T.,
New York % forward thelr supplies -
fae eastern ports e cuba. one q, the
American uaes OF steamships running 20
New YORK ha1 offered IN tske tae h..sat-
ccu@ contributions ~ tae Aruer.eaa fsasie
80 Key West. eua tae rreessen, a.n~.,f
gave TIE or8er for taeir carriage TO East.
ern Cuba by Any ~ the avaHabls shgos -
the Norta Atlantic squadron.
Ts-n svrsss.f-se.--.ae, s s,~ s..A .. . .