Evening star., 1899-03-22

SANTIAGO DE CUBA. March %, 10 am.
Mr.. Sherman. at this hour. continues i'm
proving and will be moved from his cabin
deck this afternoon for hour
General Wood is now on board the Paris,
paying a visit to Mr.. Sherman The city
is full of tourists who have landed from
the American liner.
Report of His Death.
Owing to the supposed authenticity of the
report received here from Captain Leigh,
the chief signal officer, regarding the al
legged death of John Sherman, the former
Secretary of State, the weekly reception
of Mrs. Wood, the wife of General Leonard
Wood, was postponed yesterday afternoon.
After the arrival of the American Line
steamer Paris at Santiago and the an
nouncement that there was no truth in the
reports of the death of Mr.. Sherman, word
was sent out that Mrs. Wood would re-
ceive. 1t was too late, however, to obtain
the services of the band. In spite of this
fully 200 passengers from the Paris were
present at the reception.
When the Paris reached here those on
board of her noticed that the flag flying
from MORO Castle. at the entrance of the
harbor, was at halfmast, and il was in
ferred by the passengers that some i'm
pOrtant parsonage was dead Their sur
prise was great when told. being reach
ed DN a tug, that q report current that
Mr.. Sherman was dead.
How the Report Originated.
Capt Leigh gave the signal office at Gu
antanamo a bad quarter of an hour. The
men on duty there explained that they had
received the alleged news of Mr.. Sherman s
death from the French cable company and,
suppOsing it to be correct sent an official
confirmation, they had no cause to doubt
the authenticity of the report
The announcement of Mr. Shernan's
death obtained so much credence here that
Gen Wood even had a cable dispatch writ
ten asking the authorities at Washington
Tor instructions as to the special hOnOrS
they were desirous of paying to the remains
of the distinguished statesman, but before
this message was sent the Paris arrived
here and everybody was pleased to hear Mr.
Sherman, instead of being dead, i'm
proving in health.
No Official News From the Paris.
Nothing has been heard in official quar-
ters this morning as to the condition of ex-
Secretary Sherman. The Navy Department
has no representative at Santiago, where
the Paris IS now lying and the State De-
partment has had no consular officer there
since the outbreak of the war. The War
Department is the only one officially repre-
sented, and Gen. Wood apparently found no
change in the condition OF the distinguished
patient warra anting a special report to the
department..
While great qualification was expressed
at the Improvement in Mr.. Sherman's con-
dition reported last night, it is pointed out
that 1t would be unsafe to conclude from
that report that all danger had passed in
his case, and there will be no abatement of
the anxiety felt by Mr.. Sherman's friends
here until he is safely landed In the United
States and is in the hands of his own medI-
cal men.
Chicago VIII Arrive Tonight,
The Chicago will probably arrive at San
ti&go tonight, and if Mr.. Sherman and his
friends are still Of the same mind, will take
him aboard and fetch him home AS to the
larding place. it is said by Secretary Long
that the commander of the Chicago, Can't
Cooper. will be guided entirely by the
wishes of Mr.. Sherman's family. and If If
Is desired that he be taken to some Florida
port TO avert danger from too rapid oil
matte change, that course will be adopted
II the Chicago leaves Santiago tomorrow
she should reach Tampa if that mort is
selected as a landing. by Sunday evening.
probably taking the western route by
way of Cape Antonio 10 keep in smooth
waters as far as possible.
Continued Improvement
Mrs. McCalium. daughter of ex-Secretary
John Sherman, received a cabiegram today
from Mr. Wiborg. who is accompanying the
former Secretary of State on his tour of
the West Indies. announcing Mr.. Sherman :
continued Improvement
word was received at the Navy Depart
ment today of the arrival of the Chicago r
Caimanera on her way to Santiago where
she Is expected 10 join the steamer Paris
ana take on board ex-Secretary Sherman
and party for immediate transportation 10
the United States.