Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23
MAINE SAILS TODAY
Hospital Ship Leaves London for
the Transvaal War.
FIVE OF Ger MEN DESERT
Lady Randolph Churchill Goes
Out as an Assistant.
S G N ES AT PARTING

LONDON, December 23.-The American
hospital ship Maine sailed from the West
India docks for Cape Town at go o'clock
this afternoon, minus five of the male as
sistants supplied from the New York hos
pitais. One of these men is said to have
expected promotion to a non-commissfoned
officers rank. He succeeded in enlistine
1oar friends, who, a moment before the
snip sailed, notified Mai Cabell of their re-
fusai to go. saying one of their number
was Ill and they had determined to stay
MAI. Caben informed them that their friend
had oeen left in good hands and that there
was no reason to desert. The men. how
ever. made other complaints, whereupon
MAJ. Cabeii Informed them that they had
plenty of time to consider this beforehand
out II they refused to go they must sign
on the rolls and leave the ship This the
men did, and, standing on the deck, they
shouted: we are too good Americans to
ieaVe sick friend here for any one
AS the incident occurred al the last mo-
lheht' MAJ. Cabell only had time to say to
representative of the Associated Press:
ihese men came at the last minute to
uecidre tnat they would leave making gem
erai complaint of ill-treatment which r
am unable to fathom. Some of the papers
caiied them 'orderiies, which they seem in
clined to resent
fffed to Pacify the Mem
I tried to pacify them. but their radical
decision was reached at the last moment
ana left me no time to find a solution
Therefore l had no choice but to accent
their decision to leave and order them
ashore. Their conduct. certainly, is unJus-
titled"
Mr.. Van Duser, member of the execn-
i've committee, said: Before the men left
tne snip Major Cabell made them acknowI-
edge they had broken their contract and
not receive their passage home. The as
sistant who is sick, will have the best
medical care and will be sent to New York
at the committees expense. The dispute
a few" " ''''
The Maine departed under favorable ans
pices. The Red Cross flag fioated from her
loi s eilast, the queens ensign from her main
ana the stars and stripes from her mizzen
Lady Randolph Churchill was in her
stateroom on the main deck. The state
room was filled with floral designs of the
Jetoe overhung the doorway. Mesdames
Ronalds, Blow, Van Duser and Others of
the committee We're present. The nurses
in blue capes and soft felt hats. and the
surgeons in the newly designed semi nited
States uniforms added color to the scene
Interview With Lady Churchill.
Lady Churchill said to the representative
ter way to spend the Christmas than on
an American hospital ship bound for South
Africa. The Maine is splendidly equipped
and worthy of her people and mission. 1
go w..h a grateful heart to all who have
so munificently aided the committee. L
nope We may prove worthy of this sacred
duty Wherever the ship goes / GO
The final signal for 'aIl ashore was fol-
lowed by many hand-shakings and fare
WeliS and as the Maine moved into the
river three cheers We're given for the ship
then for Lady Churchill and finally for the
United States. Then those on board gave
three cheers for the union jack, and the
sailors on the surrounding craft cheered
the United States as the white hull disap-
peared in the thickening fog.
The Maine will coal at Las Palmas
Canary Islands. She expects to reach the
Cape in three weeks, and will return with
her first consignment of wounded late in
February