The herald., 1898-03-13
AT HAVANA
Rumors Denied-Delay in Distribht-
ing Relief Supplies

ing AsSAASA SAPPAAoc
HAVANA, March 12-Mail day keeps tn,
newspaper correspondents busy, but many
of them succeeded in getting to Matanzas
In order to report the distribution of tht
relief supplies taken there on board the
dispatch boat Fern.
Consul General Lee was misnformed as
to the remission of the fine of $500 i'm
posed upon the American yacht Anita
which brought the congressional party
here, because her papers were alleged 10
be out of order, the Anita was not allowed
to go TO Matanzas last night. pilot be-
ing refused her on account of the fine. The
fine will probably be remitted today and
the Anita will sail later for Matanzas or
Sagua la Grande, as she may desire.
It u cited as proof that Spanish and
American divers are working along the
same lines and are in accord that yester-
day Spanish and American divers went
together to the bottom of the harbor and
brought to the surface q sack of mud from
under the larger forward magazine.
In an interview had by the correspond
ent of the Associated Press with Com
mander Converse of the cruiser Montgom-
cry regarding the report circulated in the
United States that the cruiser had been
injured, the officer dictated the following
1.-THE report Is absolutely false. No
damage of any kind to the hull or machn-
cry has been done to the Montgomery dur
ing the nine months she has been under
my command.
Would it not be well for sensation mong-
ers to give some thought to the feelings of
the wives and other relatives of the offic-
ers and crew at home before causing deep
alarm by such baseless stores?"
There is general Indignation over the
story. The correspondent was also re-
quested to deny the rumors telegraphed
from here, which he saw today for the
first time.
First, that Capt Sigsbee is indisposed: ::
and, second, that Consul General Lee and
DR.. Bruner, the United States sanitary
physician, are on bad terms. Both stories
are declared on the authority of the men
named in them to be without color of truth.
Capt. Sampson seems to be all right
again."
The court of inquiry did little work to-
day. The members examined two divers,
went over drawings. plans and photo
graphs in the cabin of the Mangrove and
read over the stenographers' copy of some
past testimony.
The water is very rough, making the
work of the divers difficult. The wrecking
tug is anchored a cable length from the
port side of the Maine. sending down div
ers. 1t is hard TO see any marked advance
in the work of the wreckers.
The Montgomery was today visited by
several Spanish army officers. accompa
MED by two ladies, all coming on the gov
The nSna1 naval
and official courtesies were extended by
everybody to the officers and cadets of the
Austrian training ship Donau.
The members of the court of inquiry are
deeply interested in the account given by
this correspondent of the interview had by
him with Capt. Fera. president of the
Spanish court of inquiry.
Each member asked questions in order to
make the points of Capt. Peral clear but of
course made no comment whatever.
Additional advices received by this cor
respondent from Matanzas show that the
1900 pounds of quinine on the Fern and
Bergen cannot be distributed without or
ders from the government, and fears are
felt that the work of distribution will be
delayed because the Red Cross society did
not make proper arrangements before
nanQ. however, all nave commence IN
Consul Brice. The great damage done by
the attempt to smuggle jewelry into Ha-
vana is shown now in the delay in transit
caused by the strict examinations. The
officials say they will act as quickly as
possible The Fern. as soon as the slow
work of unloading is finished, will take the
same amount of stores to Sagua la Grande.
The Fern hopes to reach Sagua tomorrow.
She must unload there, as at Matanzas, to
lighters. At Matanzas she had TO use her
pwn small crew to transfer the freight, no
adequate provision of stevedores having
been made by the Red Cross society The
news that there was food in Matanzas
spread rapidly through the town, and
hundreds of poor people crowded to the
wharves with sacks and boxes, only to be
disappointed and told thai they must wait.
a report, though it has not yet been ver-
fled. is that the stores sent to Matanzas
by the Red Cross society ten days ago are
still in the railroad warehouse and that
none has been distributed.