The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-07

ildu not previously Deen suggested
Her choice would probably remove all
ground for objection. as she was none
of the characteristics of war vessel
Mr.. Long said, however, that the only
difficulty thus far reached was that one
of the naval observation-disclosures
Nashville or. Fern-shouid 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to stand as they We're originally made
designating the Montgomery and
Nashville, but these could be changed
readily if the Fern was felt best suited
for the work. The naval officers have
felt from the first that the Montgom-
cry and Nashville We're poorly adapted
for carrying supplies. They are essen
TALLY fighting machines and every
inch of available room is taken with
their own supplies of cordage, canvas.
coal, etc. This was SO apparent that
the plans contemplated putting the
relief supplies on deck, covering them
with tarpaulins and trusting to the
weather and a quick trip to keep the
provisions and clothing from damage
The Fern, not being essentially fight
ing machine. but more of the tync of
yacht for the speedy conveyance of
naval dispatches. has considerable
more room for slowing supplies. both
below and on deck.
Supplies for the Starving
The Cuban relief committee counted
on sending 70 tons to Key West, but
this has been increased to 100 tons 1t
left New York on one of the Mallory
line boats yesterday and is due at
Kew West next Wednesday, The
transfer Will take a day. and the plan
has been to have the government ship
start next Thursday for Cuba.
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 unable to distribute the goods
That had been received in answer to
the proclamation of the president to
the American people. lie reported
that many tons of these supplies We're
stored in Havana. but could not be for
warded to the eastern end of the ISL
and. The United States eonsuls at
Matanzas and Sagua La Grande had
come in person to Havana TO seek for
relief after reporting to the state de-
partment the terrible conditions exist
ing In their respective districts
The state department Immediately
instituted inquiries, and learning that
the original decree of the Spanish gov
OF supplies applied only to the port Of
Havana, secured permission for the free
reception or these supplies at all ports
The next obstacle met was the difficulty
or trans-shipping the goods from Ha-
vana eastward, there being a semi-week-
~ service by steamer and that subject
to many vexatious local restrictions.
When the United States cruiser Moat-
gomery returned from her cruise, which
included the Cuban ports OF Matanzas
and santiago, the officers brought har-
rowing tales Of the distress existing
there. Captain Crowninshield, the chief
OF the navigation bureau of the navy de-
partment. an officer Of the soundest dis
cretion and Judgment, was on the shin.
an accidental passenger. He told Presi-
dent Mckinley directly what he had
learned. The result was the immediate
decision OF the navy department to ac-
cede to the request of the relief COM
mittee in New York to forward their
supplies to the eastern ports of Cuba.
one of the American lines of steam
ships running to New York had offered
TO take the bounteous contributions of
the American people to Key West and
the president himself gave the order for
their carriage to Eastern Cuba by any
OF the available ships of the North At
lanttc squadron.
The announcement by the press of the
purpose of the government to send sup
plies to Cuba on naval vessels was made
last Wednesday. Within a hours there
were signs Of resistance on the part of
the Spanish government. AT first this
look the shape of an Informal inquiry
by the Spanish charge daffares as to |
me correctness of the report. the inquiry |
being eouched in an incredulous tone, |
ana later when the affirmation came,
there was lodged. not a formal protest. |
81 hlVa 5N,asS sSE,F.. IT, -.
ment or the naval ships would not be |
acceptable; that it would be construed /
INTO an act of active sympathy on the |
part OF the government of the United /
states with the insurgents. But the |
president has satisfied himself that tile
curse he had chosen. that Of sending
he supplies in naval vessel, was the
only one that promised sufficient and /
prompt relief
There was no time for polite d.nln-
matte exchange of notes when accord
ng to General Lees advice people were |
from hunger by hundreds
very day in Cuba and the Spanish
,harge was SO informed. Senior Dubosc.
when seen at the Spanish legation to-
lay, could add little 10 the fund If in
ormation on the two subjects which I
we're attracting so much official and
public attention. He had received no
word from his government concerning
ieneral Lee, and he stated positively
hat no suggestions concerning General
Lees retirement had been submitted to
lin by the state department
As TO the sending Of relief supplies by
he Montgomery and Nashville. MIR.
oubosc said he felt that merchant YES
els We're much better equipped for such
ervice. and their use was not open to
hat misconstruetion possible in sending
uppltes hy vessels Of the navy
The news concerning General Lee
reused the deepest interest and no lit
lie excitement throughout Washington. |
md for the time being the usual quiet /
4 Sunday evening was put aside In /
lotel corridors. at the clubs and in all
'ubltc places it was the absorbing topic
nd not since the Maine disaster was
uch widespread popular interest
WINGED IN the Spanish situation.
The report was denied officially to-
ight that the Columbia had been ar +
cred To Key West as soon ar she could
e made ready for the voyage The
sigate Essex. which was sighted off