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.