New-York tribune., 1899-12-24
THE MAINE SAILS FOR AFRICA.
LADY RANDOLPH CHURCHILL on BOARD
FIVE ASSISTANTS DESERT.

London. Dec. 23.-The American hospital ship
Maine sailed from the West India Docks for
Cape Town at 2 80 o'clock this afternoon. minus
five OF the male assistants supplied from the
NewYork hospitals. One OF these men is said
20 have expected promotion TO a non-commis-
stoned officers rank He succeeded in enlisting
four friends. who. moment before the ship
sailed. informed Major Cabelle Of their refusal
to go. saying one Of their number was Ill. and
they had determined TO stay. Major Cabele In
formed them that their friend had been left in
good hands and that there was no reason TO
desert. The men. however. made other COM
plants whereupon Major Cabelle informed them
that they had had plenty Of time TO consider this
beforehand but II they refused 10 go they must
sign of the rolls and leave the ship. This the
men did. and standing on deck, they shouted:
We are too good Americans to leave a sick
friend here for any oner'
AS the incident occurred at the last moment.
Major Cabelle had only time to say TO a repre-
Entative OF The Associated Press
These men came at the last minute 10 declare
they would leave making a general complaint
of Ill treatment. which unable to fathom.
Some Of the papers called them 'orderles, which
they seem inclined TO resent I have tried to
pacify them. but their radical decision was
to find a solution. Therefore. had no choice
but to accept their decision to leave and order
them ashore Their conduct, certainly is un-
justified"
Mr. Vanduzer, a member OF the Executive
Committee, said:
Before the men left the ship Major Cabene
made them acknowledge they had broken their
contract, and. though they will be paid TO date.
they will not receive their passage home. The
assistant who is sick will have the best medical
care and will be sent to NewYork at the com
mittee's expense The dispute was an incident
which was known TO only few
The Maine departed under favorable auspices
The Red Cross flag foated from her foremast'
the Queens ensign from her main. and the Stars
and Stripes from her mizzen.
Lady Randolph Churchill was in her state
room, on the main deck The room was filed
with floral designs of the Maine and red crosses,
while holly and mistletoe oNerhung he doorway:
Mrs. Ronads, Mrs. Blow. Mrs Vanduzer and
others of the committee we're present The
nurses. in blue capes and soft felt hats and the
surgeons in the newly designed seni-U United
States uniforms, added color TO the scene.
Lady Churchill said 10 the representative OF
The Associated Press:
Il know Of no better way to spend the Christ
mas than on an American hospital snip o9unn
for South Africa The Maine is spendidly
equipped and worthy OF her people and mission.
l go with a grateful heart TO all who have so
nlunifcently aided the committee. | hope we
may prove worthy of this sacred duty. Where
ever the ship goes 60.
The final signal for "All ashore" was followed
by many handshakngs and farewells ana az
the Maine moved into the river three cheers
were given for the ship then for Lady Churchlll
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 disappeared
in the thickenins 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 conslgn-
ment Of wounded late in February.
T c. Speer one Of the nurses who left the
ship said 10 a representative OF The Associated
Press this evening:
INV grievance for leaving the Maine was that
my comrade, Green, was lying sick at the Prince
Of Wales Hotel He had been there for TWO
days without medical attendance. When re-
ported the facts TO Major Cabelle this after,
noon he told me the American women would
care for him. but l decided that would not
leave him. o1u
my comrades complain that Major Caoeue
sent them to St Georges Barracks. with lts
damn walls where were treated as Engllsh
nrIvates. and they could not stand II. Ihey
were removed to the hotel, but they han no
further confidence in Major Cabelle
In conversation with the other nurses II was
learned that their main complaint was tnat they
had signed as nurses. and considered themselves
treated as private soldiers.