Evening Star Newspaper, February 19, 1898, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ——— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Fenreylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Bt, by on their own account, at 10 cents cents per month. Copies at the v2 certs each. By mail—anywhere in the tes cr Canada— postage prepaid —50 cents United Per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per‘year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Entered at the Po t Gffice at Washington, D. C.. as second-class ma'l matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid i Rates of advertising made known on ap; -- ce of Examining The Privil the Maines Wreek. OUR DIVERS 70 LOOK FIRST Decision Reached at a White House Conference. PLANS OF COURT OF INQUIRY Mangrove Brings More Survivors to Key West. LIST OF THE IDENTIFIED The first dispatch that came today to the Navy Department relative to the Maine Gisas‘er was one from Admiral Sicard, dat- ed at Xey West last night. speaking of the assembling ef the court of inquiry. The message was as foll “Secretary of the Navy: “Bache sailed from Key West for Havana with divers and stores for the Maine. The Jowa comes to Key West on the 1th an the Sampson court of inquiry on the Maine assembles on the arrival here of Marix. ‘The Massachusetts and Indiana at Tortu- gas. Fifteen officers and forty-seven men from the Maine have been distributed at Key West Marine Hospital and the army barracks. More are due here en the 19th by the Mangrove. I shali hold all at Key West pending the court of inquiry. No one of the twenty-one apprentices that the Texas took from New York city for the Maine wes on board the Maine at the time of the explusion, as no opportunity had of- fered to transfer them frem the Texas, where they still remain.” Marix, referred to by Admiral Sicard, is Lieutenant Commander Marix, now on his way from Washington to Key West, who, with Captain Sampson, Captain Chadwick and Lieutenant Commander Potter. wiil constitute the court of inquiry. He will be the judge advocate of thé court and lay down the line of procedure, being somewhat of an expert in that matter. It is believed at the Navy Department that he = ch Key West eariy today from Tampa to the lack of a regular boat, but it is thought that he will be there in time to conduct the investigation when it opens next Monday. While the court is entirely master of its own proceedings, the depart- ment does not doubt that after a few preliminary sessions in Key West, which wili lay the foundation for further investi- gation through the taking of testimony of the survivers now at Key West. the board will proceed to Havana. At that place the work can be conducted rapidly to a finish with the assistance of Captain Sigsbee and the information which will be gathered by the divers from the wreck. Touching this question of examination of the wreck by divers the naval! officials be- lieve that there is no cause for @pprehen- sion as to the fairness and completeness of the Investigation. Captain Sigsbee has telegraphed that he has made an arrange- ment with the Spanish officials for the prosecution of this inquiry, and that there is no friction, so that the offictals believe that there is no reason now to interfere with the naval officer in the discharge of his duty. The Wreck Extra Territorial Ground. The apparent difficulty attending the sending down of divers to the Maine was relieved by the statement today of Senor Du Bosc, charge d'affaires of the Spanish legation, that the most complete and har- montous understanding between Capt. Sigs- bee and the authorities at Havana was had on the matter of divers, and that the Span- ish authorities viewed the Maine as extra territorial; that is, a part of the sovereign territory of the United States, the same as a United States legation situated tn for- ¢ign territory. With the Maine holding its status as extra territorial, all doubts as to n of work on the wreck are The Waters of Havana harbor of course Spanish territory, and some fusion had been aroused by the idea jurisdiction over the waters at- ‘d also to the wreck in its present help- less condition at the bottom of the bay. It appears, however, that there is no disposi- Hon to extend this jurisdiction to the ship, and that the Spanish authorities freely as- sent to the Maine's being regarded as ex- tra territorial, and under the immediate di- rection of Capt. Sigsbee. as th? representa- tive of the United States. According to the view taken by the Span- ish authorities, there can be no trouble at- tending the work of the divers. Capt. Sigs- bee will be recognized as the one to direct operations and to send down the govern- ment divers for such inspection as he sees proper to make. Mr. Du Bose hopes, however, that Capt. Sigsbee will extend equal facilities to the Spanish divers, so that the, inspection may continue together. As to what divers Capt. Sigsbee will employ the “feeling among Spanish officials here is that this will be wholly a matter of disefetion with Capt. Bigsbee, as the one in-charge of a piece of Property having the attributes of American | Soll. But at the same time the belief is ex- | Pressed that this discretion will lead to the | choice of authorized divers of the Navy De- partment, rather than those representing newspapers. Notice to Gen. Lee. The attitude of the State Department on this question i» shown by telegraphic ecrrespondence: DENIED TOSPAIN, § the following | landsman; John Coffey, Che — t % 6 ow Foe ° ing Star. COLUMBIA After that is completed the Spanish govern- | ment would like to unite with ours in hav- ing bottom of ship and harbor in vicinity jointly examined. 5. WASHINGTON, February 19, Lee, Consul General, Habana. The government of the United States has already begun an investigation as to the causes of the disaster to the Maine, through officers of the navy specially appointed for that purpose, which will proceed independ- ently. This government will afford every facility it can to the Spanish authorities in what- ever investigation they may see fit to make | upon the!r past. pay, Assistant Secretary. Spain's Request Refused. Secretary Long and ‘stant Secretary y bad an interview with the President morning, which lasted nearly an hour. Day read a cablegram from Consul eral Lee at Havana, transmitting a re- cuest from the Spanish authorities 11 Cuba that the Spanish officials te permilted to jJein with our own people in making an in- vestigation into the cause ef the disaster to the Maine. The matter was discussed | at considerable length, ard the conclusicn | Wes reached that while this goverument 1s willing to afford the Spanish authorittes all reasonable facilities for conducting an in- vestigation, yet it is thought best the first inquiry should be made by our own com- missioners. The request of the Spanish authorities, therefcre, will be respectfully ceclined. Secretary Long wired Admiral Sicard after his conference with President Mc- Kinley telling him briefly what answer had been returned to Gen. Lee’s application in kehalt of the Spanish government for per- mission to examine the Maine. He also in- stPucted the admiral to press forward as rapidly as possible the work of survey upon the Maine’s hull, and to have the court of inquiry to proceed to Havana as soon as possible. What the Divers Are Doing. It 1s scarcely expected at the department that any informativun of value as to the cause of the explosion will be available until the court has begun the formal in- quiry. The divers now at work in the wreck are understood to be employed in se- curing dead bodies and in removing ship's papers and small articles of value, so that it is unlikely that they would give any | heed to the bottom of the hull, buried, as it probably is, deeply in the mud. The offi- cials here intimate that the discovery of Pieces of torpedoes is not to be taken in itself as evidence of an outside attack upon the vessel, for it is fully expected that of the eight torpedoes on the Maine some were more or less ruptured and scattered by the explosion which destroyed the ship. To Save the Maine if Possible. Commander Francis W. Dickins, the act- ing chief of bureau of navigation, and Sec- retary Long’s right-hand man in the pres- ent emergency, says that the court of in- qviry will determine whether the Maine can be saved, but under no circumstances can any man in the navy, while there is a chance of success, forget the ringing order of the hero of the Chesapeake. ““Yhe Maine,” he said, “must be daken to an American port if there is enough of her bomes holding together to warrant removal, ard in all likelihcod that will be done. If the explosion was more disastrous than is now thought to be the case, if the hull is so wrecked as to be beyerd repair, then as much of the material as can be secured will be brought home and placed in a new Maine. It is to be remembered that great advances have been made in anipneOS since the Maine was designed, and a finer ship to bear her name could be built today, but it would take time, and if any consid- erable portion of the ship is good, with a modernized battery and improvements in rebuilding the destroyed portions, a mag- nificent versel can be quickly secured.” Mangrove Returns to Key West. The Secretary of the Navy received a telegram from Captain Forsythe at Key West this afternoon, as follo “Mangrove arrived with ten wounded: They will be cared for at army hospital. Will wire names and rates later.” Subsequently he received another tele- gram from Captain Forsythe, as follows: “Following is a list of Maine survivors just arrived in Mangrove: Edward Mattson, ordinary seaman; B. R. Wilbur, coxswain; J. C. White, landsman; Daniel Cronin, marine; J. H. Alfred Hernis, gun- Bloomer, landsman; HAVANA, February 18, 1898. ner’s mate; James A. Rowe, ship's cook; Assistant Secreiary Day, Washington. Sigsbee begins tomorrow with divers sent Charles Pitcher, ordinary seaman; Wm. McGinnis, marine. Surgeon says they are him from the Vaited States to recover all | #!! doing well. None in danger.” bodies still left in wreck of Maine, as well Half-Masting the Colors, #5 personal effects of officers and men and] Secretary Long today sent telegraphic whatever else ean be obtained that way. | orders to the commanding officers of all ‘WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1898-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. SE TWO CENTS. If you want to buy, sell or exchange anything, lease property or rent rooms, want a situation or want help, it will pay you to announce the fact in the advertising columns of The Star. They are closely studied by more than three times as many people as MOURNS. naval filcets and naval stations that the orders for half-masting the colors on ac- count of the Maine will cease to operate after sunset this evening. New Men for the Navy. Orders have been issued for the enlist- ment of 300 men for the navy to fill the vacancies caused by the destruction of the battle ship Maine and to complete the iegal qucta. Fortunateiy the Maine was short of her full compiement, otherwise the loss of life might have been even greater than it was. ceiving ships, from where they will be sent to ships in commission wherever needed. SEACOAST GARRISONS. Increasing the Force Has Been Going on for Months. The officials of the War Department are annoyed at the circulation of rumors that seem to connect an activity now observabl: at the seacoast defenses with the Maine incident. ‘The attention of Acting Secre- tary Meiklejohn was this morning called to several such stories, coming from widely separated parts of tne country. He prompt- ly declared that this movement had no ecnnection with the Maine affair. There bad been increases of the garrisons of the szaboard posts. But this had been going on for six months, and only marked a step in the development of the scheme of coast defense planned by the fortification board seme time ago. Said Mr. Meiklejohn: “It is following out the policy of th2 de- partment which has been pursued ever since the ordnance department turned over to the engineers the mod2rn guns which they had manufactured. When these are placed in the coast fortifications {t becomes necessary to have them carefully protected, and this work has been going 6n for six months. Guns haye been sent the Dela- ware fortifications, Finns Point, Fort Moul- try, and other defenses on the Atlantic coast. Congress has been aware of this, and the department had called attention to the need of at least two additional regi- ments of artillery to man these posts and take care of these guns as fast as thoy are installed. The letter of Assistant Secre- tary Meiklejohn is row before Congress, ard has been printed. Meanwhil:, in the absence of specific legislation, the depart- ment is making the best possible distribu- tion of its small forces to carry out its policy.” WHAT IT WOULD Cost, General Desire for the Recovery of the Maine. ‘There is a general patriotic desire for the recovery of the Maine regardless of her condition and bring her back to the United States. Engineer-in-chief Melville, Chiet Constructor Hichborn and other nayal offi- cers believe that the battle ship can be raised and rebuilt. Constructor Hichborn estimates that it would cost $1,000,000 to do this, and says that the vessel could be put in perfect condition within six months. Chief Engineer Melville has decided views in favor of the proposition to rebuild the Maine. “Even suppose this costs $1,009,- 000,” said he, “a new ship equal to the Maine would cost nearly $5,000,000. The re- Fairs could be made and. the ship put in service again in a year at the farthest. To build @ new ship ike her would take at least three years. With regard to the prac- ticability of raising the vessel, it is to be remarked that larger vessels have been raised which were et sea, where they were exposed to waves, while the Maine is in a perfectly quiet harbor, one end resting in the mud and part of the other end above water. > “The Maine ts in a shallow Spot, as pro- tected as a mill pond, and she is only a 6,0C0-ton ship. The British armor-clad Howe, of over 10,000 tons, was raised oft Ferrol, Spain, in the open ocean, and H. M. 8. Sultan, of over 9,000 tons, was raised and saved after she sank in the Comino channel. In these cases the damage waa different from that to the Maine, consisting of numerous jagged holes of large dimen- sions in the bottom. So far as the nature of the accident is concerned, however, that to the Alaska when she rammed an iceberg shows that with a suitable bulkhead, prop- erly shored, the Maine could be raised, if even she could not be floated, by pump- ing out her compartments. The explosion came so suddenly that there was no chance to shut the bulkhead doors, which accounts, Perhaps, for the water filling the after spaces. The Alaska’s injuries were, how- ever, less serious than those of the Maine. “No other nafion on earth loses a ship, and we should, least of all, consent to do so. Great Britain has not abandoned ‘the idea of raising the ill-fated battle ship Victoria, which was accidentally rammed The new men will be sent to re- }- by the Camperdown during evolutions in the Mediterranean. She row lies in water about 450 feet desp, where divers probably cannot work and where operations will be conducted with great difficulty, but the admiralty expresses the determination of lifting her and towirg her to Malta. The Maine lies in thirty to thirty-six feet of water, and is probably no; worse Gameged than the Victoria.” 3° Engineer Meiville adds six, terse Teasons for raising the Maine: 3 4 “First—Publie policy. Regardiess of cost, any ship should be raised? and repatred if practicable, ; “Second—For the ascertainment of the ex- act condition of the ship under water. “Third—As an. object lesson to the world. ‘The Untted States-ciaims its own, dead or alive, from any entangled fm the debris. “Fourth—As a measure of economy. If the ship is fit for raising it will cost less to refit her than to build @ second ship of that type. i “Fifth—To recover the dead or their bod- jes, if any, entangled in the debris. “Sixth—As the quickest And most satis- factory way of clearing the harbor of the detriment to navigation she must be moved by the United States.” RAISING THE MAINE. Difference In Resolutions Passed by Houses of Congress. Nothing will be done in the House with fhe Senate resolution appropriating $200,- C00 for the salvage of the. wreck of the Maine because of the Mason amendment to the resolution providing for the return to the United States of the bodies recover- ed from the wreck. Secrétary Long and Capt. Sigsbee botn explained that the re- turn of the bodies would be impracticable, as many of them were mangled beyond identificaticn, and, moreover, that there might be sanitary reasdns why bodies from a fever-infected country should not be brought to the United States. It was ex- pected that the House resolutién, which possed as prepared at the Navy Depart- ment, would be acted upcn by the Senate yesterdiy afternoon, but when it reached the Senate that body was engaged in eulo- & zing the memory cf the late Representa- uve Wright of Massachusetts, and the Senate's practice is against the interruption of such an order fcr any purpose: The re- sult was the Senate adjourned until Mon- day without action. z Chairman Boutelle of the House naval committee said today that action upon the resolution was not impefative today. Noth- ing would be cone with tRe Senate resolu- tion, as he had no doubt the Senate would premptly pass the House resolution on Monday. TEN THOUSAND MEN READY. Services of the Union Veterans’ Union Offered the President. Commander-in-chief Street of the Union Veterars’ Union has offered to the Prexi- dent the services of 10,00:men for the de- fense ef the couritry. They cotld be ready for action in forty-eight hours. At a smoker of Encampment No. 111, Union Veteran Legion, ‘last night, resolu- tions were adopted expressing sympathy for those bereaved by the battle ship Maine catastophe," unwillingness to”belfeve that the calamity could have been one of pur- pcse and premeditation, but: should such prove to be the fact, pledging fealty to the- government and trusting that no considéra- tion will resttain fcrcible amd prompt re- sentment of such treacherous, cowardly and horrible methods. D INJURED. Capt. Sigsbee Has Sent Another Re- vined List. As the Navy Department is still be- sieged with applications for the return of the bodies of the Maine victims to the United States fer burial, and as the mat- ter hae figured in Congress, it may be well to note that Capt. Sigsbee has for at least a third time, in answer to ques- tions, expressed the opinign that the bod- ies cannot be removed from Havana, He has pointed out that their condition is not such as to permit removal; that embalm- ing is only imperfectly done in Havaua, and that identification of the bodies in many cases is not even. possible. This morning he telegraphed that the bodies of the two officers, Merritg- and Jenkins, could not be found, and again repeated that it would be impracticaple to remove bodiés. Some of the surgical officers here say that they know by- experience that Capt. Sigsbee’s conclusion “is sound, and they say that successful embalming 1s not possible where the ulatory sys- tem of the body has been destroyed, as in the case of the mangled ‘victims of the Maine. Capt. Sigsbee forwarded another and re- vised list cf the injured and the dead, so far identified this morning, as follo’ One hundred ‘and twenty coffins, contain- ing 125 dead, now buried; nine ready for burial tomorrow. Following injured are, in hospitals at Havana: F. C, Holzer, 0. 8.; G. W. Koe- bler, App. 1C.; John Heffren, O. 8.; F. D. Cahill, Lds.; Jas. W. Allen, M. Att.; Jere- miah Shea, C. P.; Wm Mattison, O. 8.; T. J. Waters, Lds.; M. V. Webber, Lds.; Thos. Mack, ‘Lds. i Foilowing injured sent’ to Key West by Mangrove light house steamer today: B. R. Wilbur, Cox.; J. E. White, Lds.; D. Cro- nin, Lds.; John Coffee, Priv. Mar. Bioomer, Lds.; A. V. Herness, G. M. 3C.¢ James Rowe, Shp. Ck.; C. By Pilcher, O. S.; Wm. McGuiness, Priv. Mar, Following are all the bodies that have been identified up to date: % H. Dierking, drummer; J. A. Graham, Ch. Yeo.; W. H Tinsman, Lds.; J. F. Brow Sergt. Mar. E. H. Mero, Ch. Mch. . J. Keys, 0. 8. Wm. Cosgrove, F 2C.; Jem, Seery, F 1C.; i. Roberts, Priv. Ma; (N. J. Smith, App. -1€.; A.V. Ericksom, Bea. (died in hospital today); J. J. F. 2C.~ F. H. Kniese, Mch. 107" Las.; ¢. F. Hassell, G. i: Fewer, B: M. 2C.; Gustav: Cc. F. W. nee; C. P.; Cariton Je! i C. Phillips, App. 1C.; N= 7. T. J. Ipnes, C. P. L. L. Barry, Cc. P.; Anth Chas. Curran, Cox.; P; 1C.; Wm. Donoughy, 0. #8: F. 2C.; Daniel Price, F-%G. App. 1C.; Jas. Boyle, Q. ly, Blmkr.; A. B. Henmehe Trubie Finch, App. 1¢32*W 8. Sellers, Apoth:; A. J. Holland, Gow; Qed in hos- pital), cee APPREHENSIVE 9¥ MINES. What Gunner's Mate Jencks Wrote to This City. Carlton H. Jencks, the gunner’s mate, who lost his life in the Maine disaster, was very well known in Washington, and much sym- pathy Is felt for the yqung lady of this city: to whom. he. was engaged. Like so many others of the crew, his ofly fears for the safety of the: American man-of-war was from torpedoes and tt “In a letter writ- ten shortly after the atrival of the Main in Havana harbor: Mr; Jencks wrote: 7 about thd safety of the Maine. it: is: = positive fact, that in a very “we could demol- settle the Alfonso XH. Our only real! ger would be the submarine torpedoes and mines that are pretty well ‘distributed PEACE IN CUBA Gossip in Regard to Purchasing the Island’s Independence. RESULT OF THE MAINE DISASTER Sentiment Against Spain's Future Control of Affairs. AN AVOIDANCE OF WAR There is reason to believe that there is some foundation fcr the story published this morning to the effect that the Presi- dent. hopes to accomplish peace in Cuba through the purchase of the island by the Cubans under the guarantee of the United States. This is not a new report, but the statement that the question has been dis- cussed with renewed earnestness since the Maine disaster, if it be true, is significant. It is said at the Capitol today that the President has talked avout the matter with two senators, who have been sounding the sentiment of Congress, and who con- vey to the President the idea that the plan weuld be approved by Congress. Their judgment as to the sentiment of Congress is probably et fault. It is not probable that Congress would approve of a guaran- tee of Cuban bonds, and in some quarters the suggesticn is n:ade that the whole idea is born of a desire of holders of Cuban credits tu insure their investments before the independence of Cuba is estabiished. The suggestion of a purchase is, of course, based upon the assumption that the disas- ter to the Maine will prove to have been an accident. Result of the Catastrophe. The belief is becoming somewhat gen- eral that, in one way or another, the ca- tastrophe of the Havana harbor will lead to a speedy termination of the Cuban rebellion and of Spanish control of that island, but it is not expected to be by purchase, though it might be attended, if peaceably brought about, by some sort of adjustment of financial obligations. If it is proven that the destruction of the Maine was an act of treachery it is be- Meved that the public sentiment of na- tions would render the Spanish position in Cuba untenable and that she would have to relinquish the island on the best terms Princess ef Wales has been laid before the President, who charges you in the name of the American people no less than in his own to express grateful appreciation of this tribute of their royal highngsses to this nation in its hour of grief.” “President directs you convey to his royal highness, the Duke of Connaught, deep appreciation of his sympathy and condolence by reason of the appalling dis- aster that has befallen this government and pecple in the loss of the Maine and her crew.” “Please convey to the lord mayor of London the President's deep appreciation of his message expressing the sympathy of the citizens of London in the terrible bereavement that has afflicted the Amer- ican people. In their name the President returns grateful thanks.” Communications have been received con- veying the sympathy of the minister of foreign affairs of The Hague, the Guate- malan minister, the Italian minister of foreign affairs, the Colombian minister, the general commanding in Canada, the minister from Ecuador and the premiers of New South Wales, Victoria, South Aus- tralia, Tasmania and Western Australia. THE TEMPER IN THE HOUSE. Action Depending on the Result of the Inquiry. While the disaster to the Maine has created a temper in the House in favor of liberal appropriations for the navy, and while it is undoubtedly true that the House in its present frame of mind would not hesitate to vote for two new battle ships, one to replace the Maine, this tem- per is predicated upon the theory that the Maine was blown up by external agen- cles. If the result of the official inquiry should develop the fact, beyond peradventure, that the ship's magazine exploded from fire cr other cause within her hull, it is believed a sertiment in Congress will be created against the expenditure of millions in the construction of warships that may blow up at any time. It is pre- dicted that a congressional investigation would follow a report from the court of inquiry attributing the loss of the Maine to an explosion of her magazine. No reso- lution for this purpose has yet been in- troduced in the House, however. A prominent member of the House naval commitiee said that he was absolutely amazed when he learned that the Maine's coal bunkers abutted the magazine, with only a thin partition between. “When I learned of the fire in the coal bunkers of the Cincinnati, which charred the boxes in which the shells in her magazine were stored I did not consider it my duty to she could make. The sentiment of the whole world would probably be against her in & war with the United States after such an act of barbarism had been disclosed. A war forced by her under such circum- stances could not be confined to the ques- tion of the restoration of peace in Cuba by the establishment of independence, but would, it is believed, extend to the con- tinent and involve the very” existence of the Kingdom of Spain. If she were de- feated in the war the mere taking from her of that which she had already lost would not suffice. This, it is said, would be understood by all the world, and other nations would probably feel it to be their duty, in defense of the integrity of Eu- ropean government, to interfere and com- pel Spain to make honorable amends and to remove the original cause of contention. Thus the liberty of Cuba might be secured without further shedding of American blood. Demand for Peace in Cuba. On the other hand, if the Maine disaster is found to have resulted from an accident or the cause of the disaster is left eternal- ly In doubt, the horror of the thing will suill make such an impression upon the public mind that there wili be a universal demand that pef&ce be -restored in Cuba upon some honorable conditions, and Spain, now feeling the horror of a war destruc- tive to her almost upon her, will be, it is thought, disposed to avoid the further risk which would be incurred by the continu- ance of her hopeless effort to vanquish the insurgents. However the investigation into the Maine disaster, turns out, it is, there- fore, felt to be likely that Spain will be foreed to abandon her contention in Cuba on the most honorable terms she can se- cure. Even though the Maine were de- stroyed by accident, Spain could not hope that public sentiment in this country or elsewhere would continue hereafter even as tolerant as it has been heretofore. The destruction of the Maine, it is believed, will result in the loss of Cuba to Spain. What a Cabinet Officer Say: A cabinet member who stands close to the President said to a Star reporter today that he had never heard the President speak of forcing the Spaniards to allow the Cubans to purchase their liberty. The idea has never been broached at a cabinet meeting. “I have seen newspaper talk along that line,” he said, “but so far as I know the idea has never entered the Presi- dent's head as a feasible one.” He even went 60 far as to say that he did not be- eve the latest story has any foundation. He failed to see, he said, what the Maine tragedy had to do with the President de- termining a policy along that line or any other line. ‘The war debt of Spain is a gigantic one, and it {s said that she would not consent to let that go unpeid, or at least a large portion of {t. The United States is already paying millione of dollars a year in inter- est on its own public debt. The guarantee of a big debt for the Cubans would be an undertaking, it is claimed, too risky for this country. The probability of constant turmoil would endanger the-guarantee of this country. Z ——_+-2+______ QUEEN REGENT’S CONDOLENCE. Many Expressi of Sympathy Re- ceived. Expressions of condolence continue to come to the State Department from sym- pathetic foreign nations. Notable among them was one that came last evening from the Queen Regent of Spain, as follows: MADRID, February 18, 1898. President McKinley, Washington. Her majesty the queen has just sent one of the gentlemen of the royal household to express through me to your excellency her profound sorrow and sympathy in the sad accident which has befalen the United States steamer Maine at Havana. : WOODFORD. Acting Secretary Day has replied to most of the telegrams of condolence. To- Mr. White, secretary of the United States em- bassy at London, he sent the. following telegrams: > “President is deeply touched by her government and people of the United Starts,” attempt to initiate congressicnal action to avert this danger due to her construction. I assumed as a matter of course that it was the duty of the Navy Depaftment offi- cials to effect such ckang2s as would re- move that danger. “The construction of a second bulkhead, leaving an air passage between the bunk- ers and the magazine, would have removed this danger. Now, I find that nothing was done, either to correct the defect on the Cincinnati or on any other ship.” Mr. Cummings (N. Y.), who continues to adhere to the theory that the Maine was blown up by a torpedo, when asked what the effect of a report showing that the Maine's magazine exploded wouid have on appropriations for the increase of the navy, replied frankly: “It is perfectly true that the modern warship, both as a fighter or a safe marine machine, is still an experiment. But we are on the same footing as Hngland or any other country in this respect, and we must keep abreast of them. We have absolutely no data except the fight on the Yulu, and it was unsatisfactory. A war might be a good thing, if for no other purpose than to clear up the doubts which at present hang over these expensive modern war engines. But as regards the Maine, I cannot believe she blew up from fire in her coal bunkers. As one of the naval officers has said, anthracite coai is about as much subject to spontaneous combustion as a pile of stones, and it is in evidence that the Maine took on 400 tons of anthracite at Key West. To read some of the opinions of those who desire to escape the conclusion that Span- ish treachery may have been responsible for the accident, one would imagine that every load of coal, unless guarded, would take fire by spontaneous combustion in twenty-four hours.”’ MRS. LONG'S UNDERTAKING. To Relieve the Survivors and Fami- lies of the Victim: Mrs. Long, wife of the Sccretary of the Navy, has sent invitations to the ladies of the naval circle and others io meet her at the Navy Department Monday morning at 11 o'clock for the purpose of organizing a movement to raise funds for the relief of the survivors of the Maine and the families of those who lost thcir lives by the destruction of that vessel. The pay of the men who lost their lives ceased with their death, and the allotments to their families have been stopped. It is hoped to raise a fund for their bene- fit pending action by Congress. Will Sift the Matter. Notwithstanding the belief of the Presi- dent and cabinet as to the disaster result- ing from an accident, nothing will be left undone "to sift the matter to the bottom. Secretary Long will even endeavor to hurry the: investigation. The belfef of the ad- ministration -will in no way prejudice the final results. Spanish Cruiser at Las Palmas. ‘The Spanish armored cruiser Almirante Oquendo arrived. at Las..Palmas, Canary Islands, yesterday, and subsequently sailed for Havana : The Italian: third-clags cruiser Giovanni Bausan ts expected there on Saturday next. She is on her way to Cuba. —__e-____ ‘THE DIPLOMATIC BILL. Result of the Senate Committee's sideration. The Senate committee on appropriations has complet2d consideration of the diplo- matic.and consuler appropriation bill. The committee recognized the acvance of the rank of the American legation at St. Pe- tersburg to that of an embassy, but did not increase the salary of our chief repre- sentative at the Russian court, leaving it for the ambassadcr $17,500, as it was for the minister. The committee also added a sixth rank, # REGRET MAINE'S FATE Officers of the Vizcaya Dis- cuss the Disaster, TREACHERY THEORY DERIDED Such Accidents Have Happened Be- fore, the Spaniards Say. eg CHANCE THAT THE SAILOR TAKES Big Warship Had a Stormy Trip From Las Palmas. WILL BE CLOSELY GUARDED ee NEW YORK, February 19.—After cruis- ing around in the upper bay the greater part of last night and this morning a re- porter of the Associated Press boarded the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya at 8:45 a.m. today, in company with Lieutenant Sobral, naval attache of the Spanish legation at Wash- ington, and other officers from the Spanish consulate general in this city. Commander Sobral hailed her. A marine pacing the deck answered the summons. He could be heard reporting to the officer of the deck, who at once recognized in Commander Sobral an old shipmate. Hailed by Sobral, news?" shouted “What Spanish. “Nothing new,” cam: the cheery response from the officer on the bridge. A boat was then lowered from the Vizcaya and Span- ish sailors rowed over to the tug. Com- ™mander Sobral, Vice Consul Mariano Fab- regas Setelo, Don Manuel S. De Suar2z, secretary of the Spanish consulate; a de- tective detailed by Chief of Police MeCul- laugh and the reporter of th> Associated Prees were taken off. In a few minutes the party was climbing up the gangwey of the Vizcaya. As Commander Sobral was not in uniform, the marines were not ned up to receive the visitors, and the formal welcome was replaced by the exchange of bespitable greetings in true Castilian style. Capt. Antonio Eulat: sneok hands cordi- ally with the first visitors he nad received since he touched at Las Palmas, on Feb- reary 16. “I regret that we have not received pra- Uque (clearance) from the health author!- tes,” said the captain. “Be we have no legal right tc receive you. But stay if you with to. Of course, if you Stay you'll have to accept the responsibility.” Sobral, in Sorrow at Maine's Fate. After this courteous hint the party took @ stroll around the decks and held a hasty conversation with several officers. Every- body on board knew of the Maine's fate, and from the youngest apprentice aboard to the senior officer all the Spaniards were eager to express their sorrow. An officer Jong in the Spanish navy said: “The loss of sO many brave men and so fine a ship is an appalling catastrophe. The American navy and people have our sincere sym- pathy.” The idea that the Maine was destroyed by treachery was scorred. Not an officer on board would for a moment entertain any Sclution of the disaster except that it was caused through accident. “Such things have happened,” an officer would say. “It is terrible, but it is part of the lot of the battle ship. In peace her danger is often- times as great as in war.” No one could be found on board who evinced the slightest anxiety as to the treatment or safety of the Vizcaya while in New York harbor. The extraordinary precautions teken for their protection were unknown to them until the reporter of the Associated Press went on board. Expres- sions on this subject were guarded. The same boat's crew which brought the party from the tug was in readiness, and after farewells had been taken the visitors were rowed back. The Spanich officers Stood on the cruiser’s side waving adieus until the fog had hidden them from view. Fog Still Dense. It was impossible to tell, at this time, at what hour the Vizcaya will proceed to her final anchorage. Owing to her draught— twenty-six feet—Pilot Gillespie will bring her up in the main channel, rounding the spit. Captain Keene of the Edgar F. Lack- epbach said that if the Vizcaya cleared from her present anchorage it would take her et least three hours to reach upper qvarantine. The fog then showed no signs of lifting. Pilot Gillespie will take no chances of any accident occurring in New York harbor. The trip of the Vizcaya from Las Palmas to New York was not without incident. Between the Bermudas and Cape Hatteras she ran into a series of minor cyclones, which ended in a hiifri¢are:" Capt. Eulate, speaking of the boat's behavior, said: “She is a magnificent boat, and despite thirty- four hours’ batterizig of heavy seas, no ac- cident occurred, nor was a man injured.” SQRROW AMONG, THE PEOPLE. Regret in England Over the Maine Disaster General and Genaine. LONDON, February 19.—The newspaper opirions expressed and the official mes- Sages sent convey only-a partial idea of the universal sympathy for the United States