The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 16, 1898, Page 1

pOOOCOCCOOOCOOOOCO00000 (et 7. Call 16, 1898. AT Four Hundred and Twenty of Uncle Sam’s Brave Boys Are Killed. One of the Most Awful Disasters That Have Ever Overtaken the American Navy, and Spain is Open fto T4 T4 4444444444414 44 4444444444994 444 & > HAVANA, Feb. 15 4+ has blown up. Captair <+ various officers + he believes 4 + + + oS # Rk S SRR SRS HAVANA erican battleship M or here, was des at 10 and ar, None of the few s been seen can tel ivors who have how the ex plosion occurred. ured are be- ng taken on stre tenc ured of that were brought MAINE DES THE SHIP IS BLOWN UP 1 + oo¢‘ooo¢¢¢¢o¢¢+¢¢¢¢‘+4v¢o¢i | asked him his name and he mumh]edhmfi who were literally thrown from James Rowe, the ship’s cook, was the | TROYE D IN - -E-E-E-N-E-N-E-N-EN | | | | | Sigsbee. - Her other officers were: 2 Lieutenant-Commander Ric l‘ Lieutenants G. F. Holman, Lieutenants (junior grade) A. Jenkins. Cadets J. H. Holden, W. D. F. Boyd Jr. Surgeon L. G. Heneberger. Paymaster Ryan. ANCHOR Passed Assistant Engineer Assistant Engineers J. R. Cadet Engineers Pope, Wa Chaplain J. P. Chadwick. Lieutenant ot Marines A. | The Maine was commanded by Captain Charles D. Chief Engineer L. G. Howell. 2-§—5-5-5-8-0-E-E-E-8 hard Wainwright. John Hood and C. W. Yungen. C. W. Blow, J. T. Blandin, F. g T. Cluverius, Amos Bronson, i E. C. Bowers. Morris and D. R. Merritt, shington and Arthur Grenshaw. W. Catlin. the arsenal, others said it was a bomb, | and it was not until 11 o'clock that the | real cause was known. Consul-General Lee, who was at the | Hotel Ingleterra, received a telephone message from General Blanco telling | him that the Maine had been blown up. | Lee hastened to the palace, where the Cabinet is now assembled. Suspicion, ; 3 & 3 +| Admiral Manterola ordered that HABANA, Feb. 15.—Maine volado. + | 3 : p e Babid e e boats of all kinds go to the assistance i v dice que cree hayan pere- 4+ | of the Maine and her wounded. The ) a 100 menos cien hombres. El + | Havana firemen also gave aid, tending buque queesta ardiendo estos mo- + | carefully to the wounded as they were | mentos, v a esta descansando fondo + | brought on shore. It was a tegrible bahia. Detonacion fu tremenda. 4 |sight. General Zolano and the other 1oda Habana alarmada. + | generals were ordered by Captain- General Blanco to take steps to help the Maine’s crew in every way possible. | the deck was dippin v : | C pping under water, and | went close to the | I jumped overboard to keep from be- ing drawn down by the suction. “I was picked up by a boat from the Spanish man-of-war. The correspondent i Maine in one of the boats of the cruiser | | Alfonso XII, and saw others of the ‘\\'nunded who corroborate the state- Three more were | ;o of those first interviewed that picked up by the same boat. They were | they were asleep when the explosion 'l‘).m 1 Cronin, a .Iandsman. Charles | occurred. | Berryman, boatswain; Albert John, a| (Captain Sigsbee said the explosion seaman, and — Bloomer, a landsman.” | occurred in the bow of the vessel. He | One poor fellow whose face is in- | received a wound in the head. Orders | jured past all recognition is lying | yere given to the other officers to save | ning in a cot in the hospital. 1| ¢hemselves as best they could. The lat- | back through horribly swollen lips: their their bunks in night clothing, “My folks would feel uneasy if I told gave the necessary orders with great you 2 | self-control. So far as I can learn now the ex- The first theory was that there had | | plosion took place in the magazine ; been a preliminary explosion of powdcr: used for the storage of gun cotton for | or dynamite below the water, but this | the torpedoes. The vessel lies with her| yas ascertained to be not true | bow wholly submerged and only a part | Admiral Manterola believes that the | e ulty, of her stern showing. | first explosion was of a grenade, but The explosion shook the city from | \pether one of the ship's magazines | Jenkins and Assistant Engineer Dar- | win R. Merritt. From the wording of the dispatch the Navy Department think it is pos- FIVE CE PRICE THE UNITED STATES BATTLE-SHIP MAINE. From a Photograph Taken for the New York Herald at Key West on January 16. SPANIARDS ARE sible that they were on shore at the time of the acident. The Secretary of the Navy received another dispat.h from Xey West at the same time with the above, but its contents were not made public. The orders for the light-house ten- ders were at once sent to Key West in plain language, thus avoiding the delay that would have arisen from the use of a cipher. Secretary Long received Captain Sigshee’'s dispatch but a few minutes before the Associated Press dispatches were handed him. He received the news with apparent calm, and his first act was to comply with Captain Sigs- bee's request that assistance be sent elf turning | rushed madly from one district to an- for certain explosion other, and no one knew which point the over and over and falling heavily upon | the deck, in a mass of smoke. I got on and worked my way on deck n I got,there the superstructure uf} from foot W came: Some shouted the report that it was CHARLES D. SIGSBEE, COMMANDER OF THE MAINE. Captain Charles D. Sigsbee, in command of the warship Maine, sent by the Navy Department to guard American interests in Havana,isone of the most popularofficers in the navy. Hewasgraduatedfrom Annapo- 1lisin1863. Heservedin Mobile Bay, was an active participant in the work of the North Atlantic blockading squadron in 1865, and helped in the at- tacks and in the final assaultupon Fort Fisher. Not long ago the Maine, with Sigsbee in command, found herseif bearing down on an excursion Lot in the East River. Ahead was the excursion boat, full of human beings. On either side was a barge. The only clear way showed a pier. The old commander ordered his engines reversed, and to the amazement of the beholders he steered straight for the pier and ran into it amuck. The pier was badly torn up, the Maine’s nose was bruised, but several hundred human lives were saved. The excursion boat ran clear, but ten loaded freight cars, that were standing on the pier, went to the bottom of the river. There is no doubt as to Captain Sigsbee’s relative valuation of human life and property. About $4000 in property wads destroyed, but 1000 lives were saved. That was not a bad ten minutes’ work for a man whose busi- ness it is to kill. Captain Sigshee went to Cuba on board of a fine, manned by a complement of able officers. stout ship, 000000000000 COO00OC000 “ I turned in | end to end, and created the wildest ex- | 8 o'clock and heard | citement. All the electric lights were I don't ren ver | blown out by the shock. Fire engines | Lang at an early hour this morning, blew up or whether a bomb was placed | ¢ o “Wegt He wired Captain | beside her and set off by the Spaniards | Forsythe at Key West to proceed with | the naval tender Fern to Havana har- bor. Secretary Long then sent for Captain Dickens, and the two discussed Captain Sigsbee’s brief telegram. No other naval officers were present, and besides the Secretary and Captain Dickens the naval colony here is ignorant of this disaster, the greatest which has be- fallen the American navy since the storm in Apia many years ago. The Secretary is inclined to believe that most of the officers of the Maine were on shore at the time of the acel- dent, as it was still early in the night. While neither the Secretary nor Cap- tain Dickens is inclined to discuss the probable cause of the accident, seve- ral suggestions were ventured. They | is not known. | Because of the excitement in the city | the military authorities ordered the troops to quarters, and the streets are | filled with jostling crowds of excited | citizens and soldiers. s LD At SIGSBEE ASKS FOR SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT. Wants to Know All the Facts Before the American People Lay the Blame Finally Upon Spain. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.--1 called upon Secretary of the Navy John T. and he confirmed the Herald’s dispatch i that the Maine had been blown up and | destroyed in Havana harbor. In an- swer to my questions, he said: “Yes, I have received a report from Captain Sigsbee of the Maine, announc- ing that the battleship had been de- stroyed by an explosion in the harbor of Havana. The captain cables that some were killed and many wounded, and that the Spanish soldiers did everything in their power to rescue those who were thrown into the water. “Moreover the captain’s dispatch speaks of the great kindness of the officers and citizens of Havana, who showered attentions upon the sufferers. They cared tenderly for the wounded. The captain, in his dispatch to me, also tells of the heroic work of the officers and men of the cruiser Alfonso.” “Mr. Secretary,” I asked, “‘does Cap- tain Sigsbee assign any cause of the explosion?"” | “No,” replied the Secretary; “I pre- sume that as yet the cause is a mys- tery.” The following was the dispatch re- ceived by the Secretary of the Navy from Captain Sigsbee: “Maine blown up in Havana har- bor at 9:40 last night and destroyed. Many wounded and doubtless many killed and drowned. Wounded and others on board the Spanish man-of- war and Wward line steamer. Send lighthouse tender from Key West for crew and a few pieces of equipment. Vessel still above water. No one had other clothes than those upon him. “Public opinion should be sus- pended until further report. All the officers are believed to be saved. Jen- kins and Merritt are not yet ac- counted for. Many Spanish officers, including representatives of General Blanco, now with me and express sympathy. SIGSBEE.” The officers referred to in the above ®®A©®®®Q®®©®®©®OQ®@ NEWS OF THE DAY. Weather forecast for San Fran- cisco: Cloudy and unsettled weather on Wednesday; probably occasional showers; southwesterly winds, Maximum temperature for the past twenty-four hours San Francisco Portland Los Angeles San Diego . FIRST PAGE. Maine Destroved in Havana Harbor. Spantards Howl for War, SECOND PAGE. Lawyer Burns His Books. THIRD PAGE. The Clara Nevada Ts Lost. Rellef Train for Dawson. Rich Gold Finds Reported. Copper River Party Off. Miners Need Protection. Says a Woman Killed Collins, Tillman Bound to Be Heard, FOURTH PAGE. Sensatfon in the Zola Trial. Burglar Robs a Sick Nurse. Appeal to the Silverites. Money Wanted for Harbors, To Reform San Jose. Fatal Riot in Hungary, FIFTH PAGE. Masked Robbers in a Store, News Along the Water Front. More Light on Water Front Work. SIXTH PAGE. Editorial. Celebrate Our Semi-Centenntal. A Feartul Disaster. The Dollar Limit. Cultivating Crime for Prog. Reform fn San Jose. Stories From the Corridors, A Treasonable Joke. SEVENTH PAGE. Library Trustees Steadfast. ‘Women at the Poolrooms, Four Daylight Robbers. EIGHTH PAGE. The Commercial World. NINTH PAGE. News From Across the Bay. . Crocker Talked Too Much, TENTH PAGE. Racing at Emeryville. ELEVENTH PAGE. Births, Marriages and Deaths, TWELFTH PAGE, James L. Flood's Confession. Volcano in the Federal Camp. ‘Will Fight the Powder Trust. Skipped With the Funds. 000C000000000000000000000000000000 © | dispatch are Lieutenant Friend W. BPP999999090099990900090903900009000000900090000099000000090000D 090900090 v & P90090000000060000000000000009000009900600000000000000000000960906000 00 0000000000000000 believe that it may have been caused by a fire in the bunkers, heating the bulkhead near a magazine, or that an accident may bave occurred while.in- specting high explosives for torpedoes. Of course, this is mere speculation, and the Secretary is anxiously waiting a more detailed report from Captain Sigsbee. Later the Secretary sent another tel- egram to Key West, directing that the tender Mangrove also be sent to Ha- vema. Secretary Day received the following NOW IN A MOST WARLIKE MOOD dispatch from General Lee: “The Maine blew up at 9:40. The ex- plosion occurred well forward, under the men’s quarters, consequently many were lost. It is believed all the officers were saved, but Jenkins and Merrit are not accounted for. The cause of ex- plosion is yet to be investigated. The Captain-General and the army and navy officers rendered every assistance. Sigsbee and most of his officers are on board the steamer City of Washing- ton. Others are on the Spanish gun- boat and in the city. I am with Sigs- bee, who has telegraphed the Navy De- partment. LEE.” OFFICERS OF THE NAVY - HOLD HURRIED CONFERENCE Great Excitement Created at Xey West by the Receipt of the Startling News. KEY WEST, Feb. 16.—This has cer- tainly been the mr- eventful night ev- er witnessed in Key West. The excite- ment commenced shortly before 10 o’clock last night, when the first report was received that the famous tug Dauntless had arrived at a port on the east coast and was taking on arms and ammunition for Cuba. The celebrated little filibuster was re- ported to have arrived at Palm Beach this morning with a load of men and would sail before any attempt could be made to detain her. The information was immediately conveyed to the com- manders of naval vessels in the harbor, who commenced to make preparations to intercept the filibusters. g It was ascertained there were only a Continued on Second Page. very highly strung. it would kill them off like flies. States. home. 0000000000000 000000000000000000C0000 Clamoring for Conflict While the Two Nations Are Closing 00000000002000000000000000000000000 PEOPLE CLAMOR FOR WAR, GOVERNMENT WANTS PEACE. Copyrighted 1898 by James Gordon Bennett. MADRID, Feb. 15.—Puplic feeling here against the United States is In the public mind the firm conviction is that the TUnited States means to force war upon Spain and that the latter must absolutely stand her ground; that in Cuba the autonomists would side with Spain, fighting against United States troops, and that Spaniards would encourage the landing of American greatest number possible, now that the unhealthy season is coming on, At the same time ships of war could bombard the coast which, with the exception of New York, are considered unprotected, the United States not having sufficient warships to guard them. Great calculations are also made on the widespread ruin which would fall upon business men in the United States, whereas the bourse here would scarcely change, as would be the case with the United A war would merely be the first step toward the solution of a question which is slowly bleeding the resources of the country to death. Such is the representative idea of public Spanish feeling to-day; ‘but, mark you, do not quote it as the Government's. The action of the Government, telegraphed to you last evening, has not popularized it at There are indications that the Ministers are not displeased to get rid of a representative who could not sincerely reflect their feel- ings, for Senor de Lome was a fervent member of the National party, headed by Senor Romero Robledo and General Weyler. ment feels relief now at having one of its own men, who truly repre- sents the most liberal ideas of the Cabinet, and who starts full of the idea of the importance of pushing the commercial treaty, the details of which he is far more fitted to deal with than was Senor de Lome. the De Lome In- cident. NEW YORK, Feb. 15.—The Herald's ‘Washington correspondent telegraphs: The administration offices were deeply gratified to-day by the Herald’s an- nouncement from Madrid that Spain would make a complete and satisfac- tory disavowal of the De Lome letter. This is the only authentic information ‘which has reached here, the only offi- cial dispatch on the subject being the | one recefved yesterday from Minister | Woodford stating that Senor Sagasta | had promised that a satisfactory dis- | avowal would be made. In the light of this and the Herald’s dispatch this | morning the authorities now no longer | hesitate to say that the incident is closed, and that all that remains is| the publication of Spain’s reply, which will follow as soon as Minister Wood- ford is heard from.. With the arrival ¢f the new Minister active negotia- tions in connection with the proposed | new commercial treaty will begin. By this action Spain will attempt to show the world that the statements made by Senor de Lpme that she was insincere in her desire to negotiate a | reciprocity convention are untrue. | When Senor Louis Polo de Bernabe is | formally presented to the President it | is expected there will be an exchange of addresses which will contain ex- if the in the troops towns, The Govern- 000000000000 000000C000000C000000000 pressions of friendship and grod will and demonstrate that harmony exists in the relations between the two Gov- ernments. Calderon Carlisle, attorney for Senor Canalejas, in the matter of securing a return of the letter ad- dressed to him by Senor De Lome and which caused the resignation of the latter here as Minister, is con- sidering what steps shall be taken to detect and punish the person or per- sons who abstracted the communi.: tion from the mails. ‘“We know, of course,” said an offi- cial in the State Department to me to- day, “that Mr. Carlisle’s object in ob- taining the letter is to use it as evi- dence in any prosecution that might be inaugurated against the person or per- sons who stole the letter or who have had it in their possession. If the letter was stolen, then the person or persons in whose possession it was might be indicted for being receivers of stolen goods. It seems to me that the Cuban Junta made a mistake in turning that letter over to the State Department without at least securing a promise for its return.” Mr. Carlisle declines to state what action he proposes against any of the persons who may have been responsi- ble for the publication of the letter. DEPLORED BY THE SPANISH NEWSPAPERS. De Lome’s Letter Gives the Govern- ment More Offense Than Was Imagined. Copyrighted. 1898, by James Gordon Bennett. MADRID, Feb. 15.—The Government orgay Bl Correo, savs of Senor de Lome's letter: “It gives the Spanish Government offense far exceeding that | to the President of the United States. Against the injurious words to the President we protest. We deplore the imputation against the Spanish Gov- ernment and we resent it exceedingly. It is deplorable that a public function- . | ary, invested with a diplomatic char- acter, could write even in a private | letter ideas which are so disgraceful | as those from the pen of the late Min- | ister to Washington.” * Fl Heraldo says: “The Spanish Gov- ernment has nothing to do with the letter. It did not inspire a single par- agraph and had no idea of its exis- tence.” SENOR DE LOME LEAVES WASHINGTON. Now the Babbling, Disgraced Diplo- mat is on His Way Back to Spain. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—The late Spanish Minister, Senor Dupuy de oqqo_qugooooogoqoo_@_ooooopooooog}oooog_}au accompanied by, Mme. de Lome, .