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Page 4
The Spaniards say that when they offered to help us in distributing the
Fund they had no idea but that the supplies would be purchased in Cuba.
While this tariff affair is annoying and distressing us, other
difficulties have been cleared out of the way of getting the supplies to
Cuba by the generous action of the owners of the Ward line of steamers.
One of the directors of this line called at the State Department in
Washington, and offered the Government the use of one of its steamers to
carry the food and provisions to the starving Americans in Cuba.
The offer was most gladly accepted, and the ship will carry food,
clothing, and medicine to the unhappy little island which was once so
proudly called "the Pearl of the Antilles."
The steamer will also be used to bring back to this country those
Americans who desire to leave Cuba.
It is said that the Spanish army is very much opposed to the idea of the
American Consuls giving out the relief.
The soldiers insist that the food and money should be turned over to the
Spanish authorities, who should have full charge of the distribution.
If the stories about dishonest officials in Cuba are true, it is to be
feared that very little of our $50,000 would find its way to our
countrymen if it were managed as the Spaniards wish.
* * * * *
The inquiry into the Ruiz case is going on.
The Spaniards have received Mr. Calhoun very politely, and have shown
him much attention.
While they do not appear to be putting any difficulties in the way of
his investigations, it is evident that they do not intend to help him
find out anything about the matter.
When the inquiry began, the officials declared to Mr. Calhoun that they
did not know that Dr. Ruiz was an American. General Lee would not allow
such a statement as this to pass; he insisted that the Spaniards were
perfectly well aware of the fact, because he himself had informed them
of it.
The next stumbling-block was the disappearance of a Spanish witness who
could have proved that the officials knew all about the fact of Dr.
Ruiz's nationality. All the witnesses who do appear are in such fear of
the consequences of speaking the truth that Mr. Calhoun has great
difficulty in getting any information at all.
The news of the recognition of the belligerency of Cuba by the Senate
has been carefully kept from the people of Havana, and the Spanish
Government is eagerly waiting to see what the President will do.
The Morgan Resolution appears to have annoyed Spain very much, and the
Relief Fund is considered as an insult to Spain.
It is openly said that the Government ought not to allow it to be
distributed.
It has been feared that the Spanish in Cuba might attack the American
Consuls, and endeavor to prevent the supplies from reaching the right
people.
It is to be hoped that they will not attempt anything so foolish as
that, for they will speedily learn that they have made a grave mistake.
President McKinley declares that he will protect the Americans who are
in Cuba, and if the Spaniards interfere, he may feel it his duty to
show them, by force of arms, that the United States can and will protect
her citizens.
Mr. Calhoun expects to remain another ten days in Cuba, and on his
return we may hope for some solution of the difficulty.
* * * * *
The report that Russia has persuaded Turkey to grant an Armistice proved
to be true.
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