The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-24
ON HER MISSION OF MERCY.
HOSPITAL SHIP MAINE SAILED FOR
SOUTH AFRICA.
Eo,r Americans Refused to Desert Il
Sick Comrade and Left tho
ships Grew Instead.

London. December 2a--The American
hospital ship Maine sailed from the West
India oocgs for Cspctowa at $50 this
afternoon. minus Ave of he male Assist
ants supplied from New York hospitals
()he Of these men is said TO have expected
uromotion TO u nor. oonmlsstoned off,
cer,s rank. He succeeded In enlisting fotr
friends. who moment before the ship
sailed notified Major Cabell Of their re-
f,lsaI to 60 saying one of their NUMBER
was III and they had determined to stay
Major Cabell informed them that their
friend had been left in good hands ana
that there was no reason 10 desert. lne
men however, made other complaints,
wberepuou Major Cabell informed them
that they had plenty OF time 10 Nohs.te.
this before hand but If they refused 10 go
they must sign off the rolls and leave the
sbips. This the men did and standing
an the dock they shouted: we are too
eood Americans TO leave sick friend
hero for anyone 49,.
a. Inc Incident occurred at the last
moment Major Cabell only had time 10
saw 10 4 representative OF the Ae7oc'.te
prose-. These men came at the last.
|
making general complaint of Ill treat
mnnt which | was unable TO fathom'.
so,ne nj Inc papers called them 'ordsrlies.
which they seem inclined to resent !
,rlnd IA naclfy them, but their radical
! dacleion was reached al tho last riomenl
and LEFT me no lime 10 find solution
| Therefore | had no choice bn' 10 acteit
| their decision to leave and ordered mem
ashore Their conduct IS certainty uu'
Z
! justified. 49, oxa,.r.
! az committee said Before the men
,e,t the shin Major Cabell made item &c
rnowIedge that they had broken contract,
for though they will be paid 20 date, tney
III, NOT receive their passage home. the
aeeistant who is sick Will have the pest
medical care and will be sent 10 NC"
| York nj the committees expense ine
disnute was an incident which was Known
only to a few, ,s,.
The Maine departed under favorable
,usnices, The Red Cross flag floated from
her foremast the queens ensign from
her main and the Stars and stripes iro"
her mizzen Lady Randolph Churcnni
was In her stateroom on the main ueeb
The saloon was filled with fiorai DESIGNS
az the Maine and Red Cross, wnlte noiIs
and mistletoe overhung the door. Ncs5
danes Ronalds, Blow, Van Duzer ana
lotbers Of the committee were present
The nurses in blue capes ana SOIL iell
MATS and the surgeons in the newly ae !.
siyned semi United States uniforms anuee
color to the scene
/ LADY Churchill said to representative
iof tho Associated Press: know no
halter way to spend the Christmas man
On an American hospital ship bound .or
south Africa. The Maine Is Eplendtuly
ao,,inped and worthy OF her oeop'e sna
mission. ! go with n grateful heart ior
ali who have SO muniAcently aided re
Committee. hope we may prove wortny
y, this sacred duty. Wherever the sn'p
goes l go" =, .
The final signal for FALL ashore" Va 1917
,owed by many handskakings ana iare-
wells and the Maine moved into, the fis '
+ Three cheers were given for the snlps
4 then for Lady Churchill, and many tcs
! the United States. Then those % uosts :
rave three cheers for the Union JACK anu
the sailors on the surrounding csa a, !.
cheered the United States AZ tne wnt'e
hull disappeared In, tho Thick Eoe;
y The Maine will coal 81 L., tslmes. e q !
nary islands. She expects ~ yeAcn .' W.
Cane In three weeks. Bhe VII t1t.ss Z
with her frst consignment q Eounur"
'a spe 81 s one o. tho pursss whe !sft ~
ship. said to Representative ~ tne ~
ISOLATED Press: NY grievepce sef !.s Z
iug the Maine was t6et ~ ceg.Eefs
Greene, Is lying ~ ~ sls xFl1gR ~
Wales hotel. ne hn4 heep seefe 2
DAYS without msdienl kesl1e = b u.
ia E;R e. s.s g - AZ