Evening Star Newspaper, February 19, 1898, Page 25

THE EVENING STAR. eee iBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 31€1 Fenrsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th ‘St, by The Evening Star Ni Cor f a ae New York Office, 49 Potter Buildin, The Evening Star 1s served to subscribers in the city by errriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month, jes at the cetnter 2 certs each. By mall—anywhere in the United States «x Canada—postage prepaid—50 ceuts per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Entered at the Po.t Gfice at Washington, D.C. ag secood-class ma’] matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. ng Star. No. 14,032. DENIED TO SPAIN Se The Privilege of Examining the Maine's Wreck. OUR DIVERS T0.L00K 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 Gisaster was one from Admiral Sicard, dat- ed at Xey West last night, speaking of the assembling of the court of inquiry. The messige was as follows: “Secretary of the Nav: “Bache sailed from Key West for Havana with divers and stores for the Maine. The lowa comes to Key West on the'19th and ; 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 on the 1th by the Mangrove. I shall 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 explosion, as no opportunity had of- fered to transfer them from the Texas, where they still remain.” Marix, referred to by Admiral Sicard, ts Lieutenant Commander Marix, now on his way from Washington to Key West, who, with Captain Sampson, Captain Chadwick and Lieutenant Commander Potter, will constitute the court of inquiry. He will be the judge advocate of the 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 cannot reach Key West early today from Tampa owing 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 will lay the foundation-for further investi- gation through the taking of testimony of the survivors now at Key West, the board will proceed to Havana. At that place the work can be conducted rapidly to @ 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 nava! officials be- lieve that there is no cause for apprehen- 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 officials believe that there ts 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- muntous 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 in for- eign territory. With the Maine holding its status as extra territorial, all doubts as to the supervision of work on the wreck are removed. The waters of Havana harbor are of course Spanish territory, and some confusion had been aroused by the idea that this jurisdiction over the waters at- tached also to the wreck in its present help- less condition at the bottom of the bay. It appears, however, that there is no disposi- tion 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 the 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 whelly a matter of discretion with Capt. Sigsbee, as the one in charge of a piece of property having the attributes of American soil. 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 is shown by the following telegraphic ccrrespondence: HAVANA, February 18, 1898. Assistant Secretary Day, Washington. Sigsbee begins tomorrow with divers sent him from the United States to recover all bedies still left in wreck of Maine, as well as personal effects of officers and men and whatever else can be obtained that way. GOLUMBIA MOURNS. 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. LEE. WASHINGTON, February 19, 1898. 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- ety. This government will afford every facility it can to the Spanish authorities in what- ever investigation they may see fit to make upon their part. pay, + Assistant Secretary. Spnin’s Request Refused. Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary Day bad an interview with the President this morning, which lasted nearly an hour. Mr. Day read a cablegram from Consul General Lee at Havana, transmitting a re- Guest from the Spanish authorities im Cuba that the Spantsh officisls be permitted to Jein with our own people in making an in- vertigation into the cause of the disaster to the Maine. The matter was discussed at considerable length, and the conclusion } Wes reached that while this government is willing to afford the Spanish authorities all reasonable facilities for conducting an in- vestigation, yet it is thougat best the first inquiry should be made by our own com- missioners. The request of the Spanish authorities, therefcre, will be respectfully Ceclined. i 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 tehalt of the Spanish government for per- mission to examine the Maine. He also in- Structed the admiral to press forward as rapidly as possible the work of survey upon the Maine's null, and to have the court of inquiry to proceed to Havana as soon as possible. What the Divers Are Doing. { It is scarcely expected at the department that any information 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 vi are understood to be employed in se- curing dead bodies and in removing ship's papers und small articles of value, so that it is unlikely that they would give any j heed to the bottom of the hull, buried, as it probably is, deeply in the mud. The offi- ciais 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 1s 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. “The Maine,” he said, “must be taken to an American port if there is enough of her bones holding together to warrant removal, ard in all likelincod 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 beycrd repair, then as much of the material as can be secured will be brought hore and placed in a new Maine. It is to be remembered that great advances have been made in shipbuilding 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 vessel can be quickly secured.” Mangrove Retgrns to Key We: The Secretary of the Navy received a telegram from Captain Forsythe at Key West this afternoon, follows: “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; Dantel Cronin, landsman; John Coffey, marine; J. H. Bloomer, landsman; Aifred gun- ner’s mate; James A. Rowe, ship's cook; Charles Pitcher, ordinary seaman; Wm. McGinnis, marine. Surgeon says they are all doing well. None in-danger.” es Half-Masting the Colors. Secretary Long today sent telegraphic orders to the commanding officers of all naval ficets 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. Fortunately the Maine was short of her full complement, otherwise the loss of life might have been even greater than it was. The new men will be sent to re- 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 observable at the seacoast defenses with the Maine ircident. ‘Mhe attention of Acting Secre- tary Meiklejohn was this morning called to eral such stories, coming from widely separated parts of tne country. He prompt- ly declared that this movement had no cennection with the Maine affair. ‘There bad been increases of the garrisons of the s2aboard 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 some 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 it becomes necessary to have them carefully protected, and this work has been going on for six months. Guns have been sent the Dela- ware fortifications, Finns Point, Fort Moul- try, and other defenses on the Atlantic coast. Congress has b2en 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 they are installed. Ine letter of Assistant Secre- tary Meiklejohn is row before Congress, ard has been printed. Meanwhil2, 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.” RAISING THE MAINE. Difference in Resolutions Passed by Houses of Congress. Nothing will be done in the House with the Senate resolution appropriating $200,- (v0 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. Secretary Long and Capt. Sigsbee both 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 reasons why bodiés from a fever-infected country should not pe brought to the United States. It was ex- pected that the House resolution, which passed us prepared at the Navy Depart- ment, would be’ acted upen by the Senate yesterday afternoon, but when it reached the Senate that body was engaged in eulo- g-zing the memory cf the late Representa- tive 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. Chairman Boutelle of the House naval committee said today that action upon the resolution was not imperative today. Noth- ing would be Cone with the 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 Veterans’ Union has offered to the Presi- dent the services of 10,000 men for the de- fense of the country. They could 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 catastrophe, unwillingness to believe 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 considera- tion will restrain forcible and prompt re- sentment of such treacherous, cowardly and horrible methods. 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 for the story published this morning to the effect that the Pres: dent hopes to accomplish peace in Cuba rough 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 about 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 at fault. It is not probable that Congress would approve of a guaran- tee of Cuban bonds, and in some quarters the suggesticn is made that the whole idea 1s 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 assumptjon 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 -comtrol 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 destruetion of the Maine was an act of treachery it is be- lieved that the public sentiment of na- tions would render the Spanish position in Cuba untenable and that she would have to relinquish the island om the best terms she could make. The sentjment of the whole world would probably be against her in 4 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 cf the restoration of peace in Cuba by the establishment of imdependence, but would, it is belieyed, extend te-the con- tinent and involve the vety 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 Ku- ropean government, to interfere and eom- 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 still make such an impression upon the pubile mind that there will.be a universal demand that peace 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, turng out, it is, there- fore, felt to be ‘likely that Spain will be forced 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 couid 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 Says. 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 heve 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 so far as to say that he did not be- lieve 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 @ gigantic one, and it is said that she would«not consent to let that go unpaid, or af least a large portion of it. The United States is already paying millions 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. + THE DIPLOMATIC. BELL. Result of the Senate Commiitee’s Con- sideration. The Senate committee en appropriations has ‘completed c WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1898—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. 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 Stax. They are closely studied by more than three times as many pcople as POSTSCRIPT WAS NOT ACCIDENT Opinion in Havana Regarding Dis- aster to the Maine. SPECIAL MESSENGER COMING Captain Sigsbee Gives Detailed Ac- count of the Explosion. SENSATION WAS AWFUL ———— Special Cablegram Frem Staff Correspondent. HAVANA, February 18.—The Maine in- vestigation promises to bring a climax to the strained relations between two coun- tries. Four days after the disaster out of the mass of conflicting statements the cause of the vessel's sinking and what it was in the beginning is in doubt. From all the circumstances it is as easy to show that the cause could not have been accidental as to support the theory that by the blowing up of the ship by bomb or torpedo ruin accomplished was impos- sible. Naval board of inquiry will sift much doubtful evidence and end many wild ru- mors. Opinions here seem to be that it wil: show no possibility of accident through negligence. It may also show that various plots which find belief could not have been carried out. Many persons credit story of a messen- ger having gone to Washjngton with names of conspirators, though way he should pro- ceed there when inquiry is conducted in Havana is not known. That dynamite bombs have been manufactured and ex- ploded in Havana cannot be questioned. Three weeks ago one was exploded in the center of the city.. The police claimed to have arrested the conspirators, but that was doubted. No one questions the sin- cerity of Blanco and government officials in their regret and manifestations of sor- row have been followed by acts which were grateful tc Sigsbee and-to Lee, but on that account the theory is not abandoned that the explosion was due to accident and not necessarily to an adopted plot to blow up the Maine by violent intransigentes who are as hostile to Blanco and autonomy as to the United States. This class showed resentment when the war vessel arrived. That it made threats is certain. Whether these threats were idle vapor- ings the naval inquiry may help to deter- mine. It must be stated dispassionately that the ultra-Spanish class makes little attempt to conceal their satisfaction. Their feeling is actually one of exultation. I saw evidences of it in a Cuban village two hundred miles from Havana, where the news was first received. Evidences of it multiplied that this was the real senti- ment as 1 approached Havana. Consuls in their reports to Lee have commented on the same feeling. ‘The Spanish government is not respon- sible for this class, but their sentiments dominate public opinion. Regardless of the Maine disaster the situation all over the {sland is growing worse, and the fail- ure of autonomy is absolute. Gomez on the Move. Gomez is also moving his forces west- ward in Senta Clara province, though it is uncertain that he contemplates demon- strations in the direction of Havane. ‘The insurgents have had the advantage in two recent fights in Santa Clara prov- ince and consequent demoralization among Spanish troops is growing. Starvation in the interior of the island also grows. Amer- ican relief has not reached fifty miles be- yond Havana. PEPPER. ——_+>—_—_. CAPT. SIGSBEE’S ACCOUNT. Commander of the Maine Tells of the Awful Disaster. HAVANA, February 19.—Capt. C. D. Sigsbee of the battle ship Maine, in an in- terview today with the correspondent of the Associated Press, described in detail the explosion which destroed the great ship. “On the night of the explosion,” said Capt. Sigsbee, “I had not retired. I was writing letters. I find it. impossible to de- scribe the sound or shock, but the impres- sion remains of something awe-inspiring, terrifying—of noise, rending, vibrating, all- pervading. There is nothing in the former experience of any one on board to measure the explosion by. “After the first great shock—I cannot myself recall how many sharp detonxations I heard, not more than two or three—I knew my ship was gone. In such a struc- ture as the Maine, the effects of such an explosion are not for a moment in doubt. “I made my way through the long passes in the dark, groping from side to side, to the hatchway and thence to the poop, be- ing among the earliest to reach that spot. 80 soon as I recognized the officers I or- Good Discipline Prevailed. Discipline in a perfect measure pre- vailed. There was no more confusion than @ call to general quarters would produce, not as much. “I soon saw, by the light of the flames, time of the first explosion, but I did ob- serve the explosion of the fixed ammuai- tion and wonder that more were not hurt thereby. “Without going beyond the limits of wh: was proper in the harbor of a friendly power, I always maintain precautions against attack, and the quarter watch was ordered to have ammunition for the sma ler guns ready to hand, so that in the im- probable event of an attack on the ship it would have been found ready. It was this ammunition which exploded as the heat reached it.” Anxious for News From Home. Capt. Sigsbee and all the American officers here are very anxious for news from the United States, and as to public opinion, the captain has done all he can to calm the ex- citement in the United States and to in- duce the public to wait for the result of the official investigation before forming a judg- ment as to the cause of the explosion. As the Olivette entered the harbor early this morning the passengers crowded to her uprer decks, not to see the yellow forts and long lines of walls manned by soldiers, the beauties of palm-crowned hills or the thousand sights new to many eyes. All in- terest centered in the first view of the wreck of the ill-fated battleship, and the sight was ghastly enough, when reached, to satisfy all who were desirous of witnessing hcrrors. Wreck a Central Figure. The wreck is the central figure of an otherwise bright picture, and it is sad as it 1s terrible. The huge mass of flame- charred debris forward looks as if it had been thrown up from a subterranean store- house of fused cement, steel, wood and iron. Further aft, one military mast pro- trudes at a slight angle from the perpen- dicular, while the poop, on which gather- ed the band, offers a resting place for the workmen or divers. Of the predominant white which marks our war vessels, not a vestige remains. In its place is the blackness of desolating death. It is known that Lieut. Jenkins, who is among the missing, was alive after the ex- plcsion. A colored mess attendant, now at Key West, met Jenkins running forward. He evidently thought, in the confusion, that the Maine had been fired on and he was rushing to the forecastle where was located the six-inch gun of which he was in charge. _ Torpedo Boat No. 16 Launched. BRISTOL, R. L, February 19.—The 20- knot torpedo beat, No. 16, known as the Guenn, was launched, all completed, at Herresshoff's yard tod: The boat was launched unfinished several months ago and then hauled out again to be comple! ed. As soon as she was put over today the steam was gotten up and her engines were set at work and were turning nearly all the forencon. Naval Constructor F. F. Hanscom of Philadelphia has inspected the craft and the equipments for the govern- ment. ES Kentucky Declares War. FRANKFORT, Ky., February 19.—House adopts Cuban beligerency resolution unant- mously after speeches by Congressman Rhea and ex-Senator Joe Blackburn. eee SS WHAT IT WOLLD COST. General Desire for the Recovery of the Maine. ‘There ts 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, Chief Constructor Hichborn and other naval 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 31,000,- 000," said he, “a new ship equal io 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 a new ship like 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 at sea, where they were exposed to waves, while the Maine is in a erfectly quiet harbor, one end resting in the mud and part of the other end above water. “The Maine is in a shallow spot, as pro- tected’as a mill pond, and she is only a 6.000-ton ship. The British armor-clad Howe, of over 10,000 tons, was raised off 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 was different from that to the Maine, consisting oi 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 cculd not be floated, by pump- ing out her compartments. The explosion came sp 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 nation on earth calmly 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 by the Camperdown during evolutions in the Mediterranean. She row lies in water about 450 feet deep, where divers probably cannot work and where operations will be conducted with great difficulty, but the admiralty expresses the determination of eee er Lifting her and towirg her to Malta. The 4 Maine lies in thirty to thirty-six fee: of water, and is probably no worse damaged than the Victoria.” Engineer Melville adds six terse reasons for raising the Main “First—Public policy. Regardless of cost, any ship should be raised and repaired 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 United States claims its own, dead or alive, from any entapgied in 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 a second ship of that type. “Fifth—To recover the dead or their bod- ies, 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 Biatte:= ————+<2-—____—_ Spanish Cruiser at Las Palmas. ‘The Spanish armored cruiser Almirante REGRET MAINE'S FATE Officers of the Vizeaya Dis- cuss the Disaster. TREACHERY THEORY DERIDED Such Accidents Have Happened Be- fore, the Spaniards Say. Se Ss CHANCE THAT THE SAILOR TA FS Big Warship Had a Stormy Trip From Las Palmas. WILL BE CLOSELY GUARDED NEW YORK, February 19.—After cruis- ing around in the upper bay the greater part of tast 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 So! news?” a. shouted Sobral, “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- n-ander Sobral, Vice Consul Mariano Fab- regas Setelo, Don Manuel S. De Suarez, secretary of the Spanish consulate; a de- tective detailed by Chief of Police MeCul- laugh and the reporter of th? Associated Press were taken off. In a few minutes the party was climbing up the gangway of the Vizcaya. As Commander Sobral was not in uniform, the marines ware not lned up to receive the visitors, and the formal welcome was replaced by the exchange of hospitable greetings in true Castilian style. Capt. Antonio Eulat2 snook hands cordi- ally with the first visitors he had received since he touched at Las Palmas, on Feb- ruary 16. “I regret that we have not received pra- lique (clearance) from the health authori- ties,” said the captain. “Sc we have no legal right to receive you. But stay if you wish to. Of course, if you stay you'll have to accept the responsibility.” in Sorrow at Maine's ate. After this courteous hint the party took a 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 long 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 scorned. 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 p2ace her danger is often times as great as in war.” No one could be found on board whq evinced the slightest anxiety as to the treatment or safety of the Vizcaya whil in New York harbor. The extraprdinary precautions taken 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 afier farewells had been taken the visitors were rowed back. The Spanish officers stood on the crniver’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 firal anchorage. Owing to her draught— twenty-six feet—Pilot Gillespie will bring her up. in the mein channel, rounding the spit. Captain Keene of the Edgar F. Luck- enbach said that if the Vizcaya cleared from her present anchorage it would take her at least three hours to reach upper qvarantine. The fog then showed no signs of lifting. Pilot Gillespie will take no chances of any aceident 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 hurricane. Capt. Eulate, speaking of the boat's behavior, said: “She is a magnificent boat, and despite thirty- four hours’ battering of heavy seas, no ac- cident occurred, nor was a man injured.” SORROW AMONG THE PEOPLE.