The San Francisco call., 1899-12-24

We are too good Americans 10 leave a
sick friend here for any one,'
AS the incident occurred at the last
moment. Major Cabelle only had time 10
say 10 representative OF the Associated
Press: These men came at the last min
ute TO declare that they would leave,
making general complaint OF ill-treat.
ment, which l am unable TO fathom
Some of the papers called them order
lies. which they seem inclined TO resent.
tried 10 pacify them, but their radical
decision was reached at the last mo-
ment and left me no time 10 find a solu-
ion. Therefore l had no choice but to
accept their decision 10 leave and order
them ashore. Their conduct certainly
Is unjustified."
Mr.. Van Duzer. a member of the exec
utive committee. said: Before the men
left the ship Major Cabelle made them
acknowledge they had broken their con-
tract. although they will be paid TO date.
but they will not receive their passage
home. The assistant, who is sick. will
have the best medical care and will be
sent TO New York at the committees
expense The dispute was an incident
which was known only to a few"
The Maine departed under favorable
auspices. The Red Cross flag floated
from her foremast, the Queens ensign
from her main and 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 decorations OF
the Maine and Red Crosses while holly
and mistletoe overhung the doorway.
Mesdames Ronalds. Blow. Van Duser
and others OF the committee were pres
ent. The nurses, I'm blue capes and soft
felt hats, and the surgeons. in the newly
designed semi-United States uniforms.
added color to the scene.
Lady Churchill said to the representa-
tive Of the Associated Press: II know
OF no better way 10 spend the Christmas
than on an American hospital ship bound
for South Africa The Maine is splen-
didly equipped and worthy OF her people
and mission. / go with a grateful heart
10 all who have so munificently aided the
committee. / hope we may prove worthy
OF this sacred duty. Wherever the ship
goes. co.
The final signal for "all ashore" was fol-
lowed by many handshakings and fare
wells. and as the Maine moved into the
river three cheers were 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
cheered the United States as the white
hull disappeared 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.
S. T. c. Speer. one OF the nurses who
left the ship, said to a representative Of
the Associated Press tonight: MY gr.ev-
ance for leaving the Maine was that nv
comrade. Greene. is lying sick at the
Prince of Wales Hotel. He has been there
for two days without medical attendance.
When 1 reported the facts 10 Major Ca
belle he told me the American ladies
would care for him. but / decided thar 7
would not leave him. My comrades com.
plain that Major Cabelle sent them TO st.
Georges barracks. with it's damn walls
where we were treated as English pri-
Yates. and they could not stand IL. They
were removed to the hotel, but they had
no further confidence in Major CabeIle"
In conversation with the other nurses
the Associated Press representative
CLEANED that the main complaint was that