In the mean while the House of Representatives has also voted in favor
of the Relief Fund for the unhappy Americans in Cuba.

The proper means of distributing the Fund has been considered, and it
has been decided that supplies of food and clothing shall be purchased
here, and sent to Cuba. When the supplies reach Cuba their distribution
will be left in the hands of Consul-General Lee.

A complication has unfortunately arisen, which may delay the giving out
of the relief for a little while.

When it was found that there were some 1,200 American sufferers in Cuba
who needed immediate help, our Government approached the Spanish
Government to see if any objection would be made to the sending of
relief.

Spain, as we have already told you, gave us to understand that there
would be no objection whatever, and the State Department was pleased to
find that no obstacles would be put in the way of the good work.

When the manner of giving the relief was discussed in the Cabinet, it
was decided that as supplies were so scarce in Cuba, and the prices
asked for provisions so high, it would be better to purchase the
supplies in this country, load a ship with them, and send them over.

A difficulty immediately arose. Spain has placed certain Custom-House
duties on this class of goods. Our Government sent to the Spanish
representative, and asked that these duties be remitted, as the goods
were not being sent for sale, but for charity.