The Indianapolis Journal

AN INSINUATION.

The announcement by the Associated Press of the purpose of the government to send supplies to Cuba on naval vessels was made last Wednesday. Within twenty-four hours there were signs of resistance on the part of the Spanish government. At first this took the shape of a formal inquiry by the Spanish charge d'affaires, Senor Du Bosc, as to the correctness of the report, the inquiry being couched in an incredulous tone, and later, when the affirmation came, there was lodged, not a formal protest, but rather an insinuation that the movement of the naval ships would not be acceptable; that it would be construed into an act of active sympathy on the part of the government of the United States with the insurgents. But the President had satisfied himself that the course he had chosen, that of sending the supplies in a naval vessel, was the only one that promised sufficient and prompt relief. There was no time for polite diplomatic exchange of notes, when, according to General Lee's advice, people were perishing from hunger by hundreds every day in Cuba, and the Spanish charge d'affaires was so informed.

Senor Du Bosc, when seen at the Spanish legation to-day, could add little to the fund of information on the two subjects which were attracting so much official and public attention. He had received no word from his government concerning General Lee, and he stated positively that no suggestions concerning General Lee's retirement had been submitted by him to the State Department. As to the sending of relief supplies by the Montgomery and Nashville, Mr. Du Bosc said he felt that merchant vessels were much better equipped for such service and their use was not open to that misconstruction possible in sending supplies by vessels of the navy.

The news concerning General Lee aroused the deepest interest, and no little excitement, throughout Washington, and for the time being the usual quiet of Sunday evening was put aside. In hotel corridors, at the clubs, and in all public places it was the absorbing topic, and not since the Maine disaster was such widespread popular interest evinced in the Spanish situation.

The report was denied officially to-night that the Columbia had been ordered to Key West as soon as she could be made ready for the voyage. The frigate Essex, which was sighted off San I Hook, it was stated, was on her way from Norfolk with the apprentice boys to New York.