The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 19, 1898, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1898. CRUISER VIZCAYA ARRIVES Now the Big Spanish Ship of War Is OQOutside New York. Met by the Herald-Call Tug and the Officers the Wrecking of the Maine. C00C00000000000009 >~ 000000000000 0000000000000 the Spanish Legation in Washingtc ty of the Spanish battle-ship Viz Lieutenant Sobral, when asked .y sion, but I can’t divulge it.” the result of an e forward maga: watch observed The fact w These sort of thing 1 orican war vessels.” Regarding the possibilit “I do not thi , but if such an unfortunate ¢ be in a positi of ser nish Legation. 1 a ship.” 20000000000 18.—Spain’'s fine caya rides at an- 200000 w YORK, three miles west-north- Hook lightship. She are well on board. Al- d encountered tempestu- d for thirty-six hours noon Wednesday she fought her port against seas piled up by gale, when the Herald and . P. Raymond ran alongside 1t half-past 7 o'clock this loomed grim and forbid- s, shining in the f fantastic mu- cing floated from her. riners were stepping Gaita bagpipes of tug's approaching lights had en noticed, but the boat ran under towering bulwarks and frowning guns without a challenge. At the re- porter's hail in Spanish a command rang out from the officer of the deck. The wailing Gaita was stilled and the ased and across from the the he came question: s the New York Herald and Are all well “This San Francisco Call tug. aboard? 11 well,” was the reply, ‘“officers and men.” The officers formed a group at the| rail, and on either side of them hun- of dark faces peered down at the which ted States battleship Maine in harbor?” was asked. * several cried in response. “Is immary of the disaster was the officers hastily conferred, were silent. It was learned later that they knew of the De Lome incident. The graver news about the appeared to appreciate at They declined to dis- ., saying courteously that they ay nothing. panish consul and doctor have not been on board, so we cannot receive the Herald reporter on the ship,” they #ald in reply to other questions in Spanish. Captain Eulate had not been one of the group on was le to communicate to him the news ments later through the courtesy of Danie} Gillespie, the Sandy Hook pilot, who brought the cruiser to her anchor- age outside the bar. The pilot had not heard of the disaster. “Please tell the Captain of the loss of | the Maine.” “Do you think it is true?” the pilot asked, horrified. He was told the coun- try had been grief-stricken for days and that the news was all to authen- tie. “I'm glad to hear it may have been an accident,” said the pilot, and then he carried the story to the Vizcaya's commander, who was already hearing it from his officers. Captain stepped on deck beside Gillespie stood there silent. “I have told him. He says he does not believe it can be true,” Gillespie re- ported. The reporter communicated the latest news from Madrid and told of the or- ganization of a court of inquiry. This the captain heard in silence. He shook his head slowly and said: *I cannot discuss it now.” Of Senor de Lome’s resignation and departure Captain Eulate also declined to speak, saying simply that he was really not in port vet, and so officlally had not arrived at New York. His consul and the health officers had not been aboard, as he explained through the pilot. “How long will the Vizcaya remain n port?”’ “That the captain is unable to tell,” the pilot replied. “He will not know un- til he receives from the Spanish Consul instructions now awaiting him here.” “Has he had no communication with the shore yet?" “None,” the pilot replied. and ’ ““You are NEW YORK, Feb. 18.—Lieutenant J. G. Sobral, naval attache of co-operating with the authorities in the explosion on the Maine, replied: When questioned further on this point he finally replied: Jlosion inside the ship which took place in one of 'n the ship were very lax. Japer the other day declared, is the case on American warships have occurred on previous occasions rious trouble over the Maine affair he k there will be war between the United States and n to be of much aid to my Government, as a re- rmation which has come to my knowledge as naval attache In the case of hostilities I might, perhaps, past 5 o’clock this aft- | was lying under the visi- | deck, but the reporter | f the Maine disaster a few mo- | Eulate | Informed of 000000000000 000000 yn, was in this city to-day, actively 1 preparation for insuring the safe- ra during her stay in this port. for his opinion as to the cause of “] know the cause of the explo- “It was of the matter is, that the discipline This, as one English condition should arise I shall, of 0OC0CO00C000C0C00CO0OCOOC00 C00000000000000000 the first to speak the cruiser and bring the terrible news.” “When did they learn of Senor De Lome's resignation?” “Only this morning when they picked me up,” said Gillespie. “I carried aboard a Herald of Monday, and they read the incident in it. But yours is the first news they or I have heard of the Maitne.’ “When will asked. “T'll take her up at daylight If it is clear enough then,” the pilot said. “Where will she anchor?” Captain Eulate said to the pilot that he was un- certain about this point. “Probably off Thirty-fourth street in the North River,” Gillespie replied, “but we won't know for sure until the morning. Or- | ders may be for Tompkinsville.” | The reporter informed the officers of | the banquet at Delmonico’s, at which it | was intended they should be present. you come up?”’ was four patrolmen to each tugboat as- signed by you to patrol the waters of New York harbor in the vicinity of the | Spanish battle-ship Vizcaya. I have arranged with Ensign Paine to estab- lish tours of patrol duty around the vessel named as follows: Two tugs to | patrol in the vicintly for eight hours, to be reiieved by two tugs from the har- bor; these to be relieved in turn by two steam launches from the Police Department, thus establishing a pa- trol system during the entire twenty- four hours, the men assigned to such service doing tours of eight hours on and sixteen hours off; such force of marines to be supplied to each boat as in your judgment if necessary.” Chief McCullagh said: “The detail of police will be under the command of Captain Elbert O. Smith of the harbor | police, who will have sixty-seven men | assigned to him for duty. The police steamboat patrol and six police | launches will be available for patrol | duty, and will work together with the | ONLY THE PORT SIDE DAMAGED Appearance of the Maine Belies the Accident Theory. Even the Starboard Light Guards Remain in Their Places. Opposite Side of the Wrecked Vessel Seared and Torn by the force from the navy-yard. I do not be- lieve, however, that there will be any | necessity for the use of the police, nnrfi‘ for the force that is to be detailed from | the navy-yard for patrol duty. The| Vizeaya will be perfectly safe in New | York harbor, and the steps which are | being taken by the Government and the | police department are simply precau- tionary. The patrol will be kept up every hour of the day and night while | the Spanish ship is in this harbor, and no craft of any description whatever | will be permitted to approach her un- less its mission is. fully explained to the | officer in command of the patrol. Just Explosion. Special Dispatch to The Call. NEW YORK, Feb. 18.—The World's Havana cable says: Captain Sigsbee and the local board of investigation rowed to-day around and around the | sunken, sullen, twisted masses—all that | is left of the splendid battle-ship Maine. They could not get on board, because of the orders of the authori- ties; at least, the guards said so, and Captain Sigsbee obeyed, although his pennant was still flying from the mast- | | | | | INCREASE THE - GREAT HORROR Vultures Wheel Above the Wreck of the Maine. Divers Expected To-Day, When Important Developments May Be Expected. Excitement Somewhat Cooled at Havana Owing to the Scenes of Mourning. Special Dispatch to The Call. HAVANA, Feb. 18.—A revolting in- cident of the day has been the pres- ence of vultures wheeling in the air above the wreck. With Lieutenant-Commander Wain- wright, Lieutenant Holman and Chief Engineer Howell, Captain Sigsbee went on board the wreck this morning. The big cat that was a pet of the Maine’s crew, and that was found yes- | terday on the wreck so much fright- They thanked him courteeusly for the | how clcse the picket lines around the | head and parts of the Maine abcve | water (or below it, either) were just | information. There was no music as the tug steamed away from the formidable visitor. The news of the Maine's loss had silenced the weird Gaita. The Viz- caya’'s company was discussing it, offi- cers and men alike, and all apparently realized its sorrowful significance. No craft lay at all near the Vizcaya | last night. She was not visited by Government tugs or police boats de- tailed to guarantee her safety while in port. They will give her safe conduct to-morrow morning when she enters port. She was outside the bar to-night, and so was left to herself. She will move up the harbor at sunrise, and ac- cording to naval etiquette observed the world over will salute the first fort or battery she reaches with twenty-one guns. In this instance it will be Fort Wadsworth, and when she has run up the stars and stripes and thundered her greeting the red and yellow banner of Spain will climb the fort's staff and the salute will be returned. Then will come the visit by the Health Officer—a mere formality, for he will not go on board, but will simply receive a report from the man-of-war's surgeon. The anchorage cutter Man- hattan will run alongside the cruiser after her guns are silent and will give |‘her such aid as she may need in an- | choring. Patrol-boats wil} at once take | up stations near the visitor. ‘When the Vizcaya is at anchor Lieu- tenant Dougherty, representing Rear- Admiral Bunce, commandant of the navy-yard, will go on board and ex- tend to Captain Eulate and his officers the usual courtesies. He will also ex- plain the presence of the patrol fleet. | The Spanish Consul will convey to | Captain Eulate instructions which have been awaiting him here, and will i confirm the news of the Maine disaster, | communicated to the Spanish officers | by the reporter last evening. | Prominent Spanish residents will !\'isn the Vizcaya. The captain will probably visit the navy yard in the afternoon, returning the official call of Lieutenant Dougherty, representing Rear-Admiral Bunce. The usual precautions have been | taken by the Government authorities | and Chief of Police McCullagh to pre- { vent any possibility of any act of vio- | | lence against the Vizcaya. Lieutenant Alexander Sharp Jr., U. S. N., who is attached to the office of Assistant Sec- ]mary Roosevelt, visited police head- | quarters this morning, together with | Epsign Paine, U. 8. N, and Lieutenant | J. B. Sobral, naval attache of the | Spanish legation at Washington. He | had an interview with Chief MocCul- | lagh lasting for more than an hour. | After they had gone the Chief sgaid warship will be drawn is a matter that | authorities.” WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.—“It would | be indefinitely worse for a Spanish ship to be destroyed by American treachery than for an American man- of-war to be destroyed by Spanish treachery. In the latter case we could hold up our heads and look the whole world in the eye; in the former we would hang our heads in shame.” This statement was made to me by an official of the administration, speak- ing of the precautionary preparations made by the Navy Department and by the police of New York for the safety | of the Spanish armed cruiser Vizcaya. Because of the possibility of some fanatic making an attempt to destrny% the Vizcaya and because of the sug- | gestion of such action by “yellow jour- nals,” the War Department officials de- termined to take active measures for protecting the vessel. Lieutenant Alex- ander Sharp Jr., naval attache to As- sistant Secretary Roosevelt, went to New York under instructions from Mr. Roosevelt, to confer with Rear Admiral Bunce, commandant of the Brooklyn navy-yard, and with the Chief of Police in regard to providing adequate pro- tection for the Vizcaya and her crew. It was recalled to-day that during the Grant celebration a Spanish man- of-war dropped anchor in New York harbor and that Mr. Roosevelt, then a member of the New York Police Board, took measures, at the suggestion of Mr McAdoo, then assistant Secretary, to protect the crew of the ship from in- sult and the vessel from destruction. Notwithstanding these precautions, the Spanish Minister was informed by the commanding officer of the ship that some of his men who had gone ashore had been stoned by a band of hood- lums. This matter was not brought to the attention of the State Department sim- ply because Spain did not care to mag- nify the incident. It is expected that the Vizcaya's commander will exercige judgment in permitting his men to land in New York, especially in view of the Maine disaster. Rear Admiral Bunce has been instructed to extend every possible courtesy to the officers and men of the Vizcaya. SAILORS IN TERROR ON THE BATTLE-SHIP, One of Them Writes His Father That They Expected to Be Blown Up at Any Moment. BOSTON, Mass.,, Feb. 18.—Augustus Blomberg of Wilton, N. H., father of Fred Blomberg, one of the crew of the their visit was to deliver a request by | Rear-Admiral Bunce, commandant of ! the Brooklyn navy yard, that police- | men be detailed to act in conjunction ‘ with the navy yard authorities for the protection of the Vizcaya. | Chief McCullagh made public this let- ter, which he sent to the real admiral in the morning: “In compliance with your request I have ordered Captain Elbert O. Smith of this department, who is in com- mand of the steamboat Patrol, to fur- nish a detail of one roundsman and battle-ship Maine, has just made e lic a letter which he received from pog son on Monday last, dated Havana February 10, in which he says: 3 are in mortal terror of our lives anq expect to be blown up at any mg- ment."” e Equipping a Sugar Factory. SALINAS, Feb. 18—The Risdon ' Iron ‘Works has contracted with the Spreckels Sugar Campa.n{ to place the machinery in position in the sugar factory near this ei;.}n It has sublet the contract to the California Bridge Company, which since Weanesday has placed six of the forty- eight ten-ton crystallizers in position. they were. The officers examined the position of the wreck closely. It was noted, prim- arlly, that the whole force of the ex- plosion was from port to starboard. This is shown principally by the wnole main deck between the after and for- ward and main magazines being blown upward and over to starboard bodily. The forward smokestack also was thrown to starboard and aft. It now lies farther aft than the rear funnel. Other conclusive proofs that the ex- plosion came from the port side and center of the ship are the facts that the frail incandescent lampguards on the starboard side are intact, while on the port side everything is smashed, and also that the paint on the starboard side is still white and fresh, while that on the port side is seared, vitrified and blackened. The funnels are smashed “in upon their port sides, which is con- clusive proof that the massive braces which held the deck down on the port side are stripped of their riveted plates. The deck was thrown over solidly upon the starboard braces. The wreck fur- ther has a general list to port, and im- mediately after the shock canted that way. The present inclination, therefore, is not the result of uneven or gradual settlings, but is final evidence that the ship is practically broken in two by the explosion against the port side. It is regarded as marvelous that the rear magazine did not explode also, as the primary explosion came from the cen- ter of the ship midway between the magazines. There was nd® mnecessary flooding of the magazines. The first concussion probably loosened the doors and they filled. There was nothing in the forward magazine to go off on a mere detonation. The gun cotton in the rear magazine is vet intact. The general opinion is that the for- ward magazines did not explode. A SUBMARINE BOAT TO VIEW THE WRECK. The Argonaut Is Now Being Fitted Up at Baltimore to Be Taken to Havana Harbor. BALTIMORE, Feb. 18. -—-The subma- rine wrecking boat Argonaut wastowed this evening from her moorings to the vards of the Columbian Iron Works, where she was built. Here her boilers and machinery are to be thoroughly overhauled, and when pronounced ab- solutely fit she is to be towed by the John I. Brady of this city to Key West and from there transported to Havana. J. C. Lake, father of Simon Lake, the inventor of the boat, says he has no doubt the exact cause of the sinking of the Maine could be learned by the use of the Argonaut. The testimony of di- vers would not have to be relied upon, he said, because the Government’scom- mission could be taken to the bottom of Havana harbor, and by the use of electric lights carried by the Argonaut could see the exact condition of the vessel's hull. All the expensive arma- ment not wrecked by the force of the explosion could be recovered before the action of the sea water ruined it. o ieg < Beet Fields Need Rain. SALINAS, Feb. 18.—P. W. Morse of the Spreckels Sugar Company, who was here looking over the b:et';}tuauon. declares. that the prospects in s county are not eneoumg&s at present. Around San Juan and Gilroy there s some land that is wet enough to raise a crop, and the Pajaro Valley is all right, but in the Salinas Valley the outlook is bad. Uniess heavy rains come soon the factory will not run this year. will be determined by the navy-yard |2S much “United States soil” as ever | | | | | ened that it apparently had not moved from its hiding place, is now on board the Fern. The captain’s dog, Peggy, was also saved. The United States divers are expected to-morrow. Havana still mourns with the Ameri- can people. Since the funeral cere- monies of yesterday the city has re- moved the outward signs of grief, but the work of succoring the living and caring for the dead proceeds unremit- tingly. . Every care is shown the survivors. General Blanco and the officials con- tinue to co-operate with Captain Sigs- bee and General Lee. The messages re- ceived from Spain and the United States showing that the action of the Havana authorities is appreciated, give satisfaction to the officers, who are | making further efforts to ameliorate the condition of the survivors. There is sincere regret that circum- stances make it impossible to meet the wishes of friends who desire that the remains of their loved ones be sent home for burial, but in cases where the officers of the Maine deem it practi- cable necessary facilities will be afforded. The feeling of the community is that soclal functions would be out of place at a time of such mourning, and these will be suspended for the present. Statements from Madrid and Washing- ton published here to the effect that many people in the United States be- lieve the explosion was accidental coin- cide with the opinion held by the Span- ish officials, and the excitement which followed the disaster has subsided into quiet waitin, CONCENTRADOS MOURN FOR THE AMERICAN DEAD. SPANIARDS MUST KEEP HANDS OFF Even as a Wreck the Maine Is American. If Spain Attempts to Interfere With the Investigation It Will Be Considered as an Un- pardonable Act. Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordoa Bennett. HAVANA, Feb. 18.—Captain Sigsbee has at last carried his point concerning divers, and they will go down to examine the hull of the Maine as soon as they arrive to-morrow. The Spanish wanted to make a joint fnvestigation, but Captain Sigs- bee insisted on independent ac- tion. The Spanish said their rea- son for asking for a joint in- vestigation was to clear them- selves of any chance for blame in the matter. Consul-General Lee and Captain Sigsbee ™ent to the palace, and the matter was finally amicably arranged. When the divers arrive they will first try to find the bodies of Lieu- tenant Jenkins and Assistant Engineer Merritt, supposed to be in the messroom. Then they will recover the bodies and im- portant papers before proceed- ing to examine the bottom of the ship and the bay. If the United States Government agrees the Spanish may be al- lowed to send men down also. Captain Sigsbee will personally direct operations, and absolutely no outsider will be allowed with- in the patrol line. Captain Sigsbee, Lieutenant-Com- mander Wainwright and Chief Engin- eer Howell made an official investiga- tion of the wreck this morning. They were merely rowed around it and re- turned to the lighthouse tender Fern. They absolutely refuse to talk on the subject or express any vpinion. Consuls Barker and Brice arrived in Havana this evening. They had heard nothing of the disaster to the Maine except through Spanish sources. Both state that they have not vet received any portion of the relief fund for dis- tribution in their districts. Mr. Brice says that in Matanzas he received every expression of sympathy for the fegeguBuagagaBugaReaFuPaRePuRuguTugugeRuFuPugeuyoPuaRagaRuRuTuFugsdal Maine disaster. NEW YORK, Feb. 18.—The Herald’s ‘Washington correspondent telegraphs: There is no intention on the part of tha administration to permit the Spanish Government to participate in any way with the investigation Into the Maina disaster which will be made by this Government. Neither is it proposed to allow the Spanish Government to make the first inquiry into the loss of the Maine. The battle-ship is still part of the American navy and as such is American territory, and no one can ap- proach it without the sanction of the President or his authorized representa- tives, who in this case are Secretary Long and Captain Sigsbee. I was told at the close of office hours this afternoon that no dispatches had | been received from Captain Sigsbee stating that the Spanish authorities had instituted an investigation or-that | he had been requested to appear before | a court of inquiry to give testimony | concerning the disaster. If he should be asked the department will un- doubtedly instruct him to decline’such an invitation. “Such action on the part of the:Span- ish authorities,” said an official to me to-day, “would be without precedent, would be unwarrantable and could properly be considered as interference. It is perfectly right that the Spanish Government should make an inquiry, but it would be manifestly improper for American officers to appear before that court, which speaks a strange lan- guage, and make statements which might be distorted in translation into evidence injurious to the case which their Government might be desirous of preparing.” Believes Sarmann Innocent. CARSON, Feb. 18.—Dr. Young to-day. published a card in the Courier in regard to the Sarmann murder case. He said that he believed Sarmann innocent of the murder of his wife, for the reason that his post-mortem examination showed that the woman had been criminally assaulted before the killing. . HOW AND WHY THE EXAMINER IS A THIEF. It Steals From The (all in (rder to Get News Which It Is Unable to Obtain by Honest Methods If It Liked Such Methods. The Boodler has been stealing again. The proof is given, not in the hope of in- ducing that braggart to reform, but of warning the -~ persons who may still be unaware of the depths of degradation to which it has sunk. If it be considered as having a grain of honor, if itsrascality still passes anywhere as enterprise, if its boasts delude, the time spent in making its real character known cannot be be- grudged by a journal having at heart the good of the public. The heads printed below are both from yesterday's Bx- aminer. The first appeared before the dally chance to steal Call news had been selzed upon, and the-second after the chance had been taken advantage of with all the avidity of one controlled by world as a complete surprise it was known that the Examiner would, if pos- sible, commit its usual larceny. Therefore the paper was held back so late that the Examiner was compelled to go on the streets without an opportunity to indulge in its customary loot of The Call's col- umns. Yesterday there came from Key West perhaps the most important bit of information that had been received in re- lation to the cause of the great disaster in the harbor of Havana. A sailor was quoted as having said he saw a torpedo coming toward the vessel and had been-in the act of telling his superior when the missile struck. This was printed on the first page of The Call. It was not printed in the Examiner, because the Examirer Spanish Mobs Jeer -the Woun'ded Amer- [cans. ask tor zermimion 10 onery me| CORRESPONDENTS MUZZLED Before It Had a Chance to Steal From THE CALL. HE SAW THE TORPEDO. Startling Story Told by One.of the the Maine's Survivors. Bodies on Their Shoulders to the Grave. HAVANA, Feb. 17.—Previous to the funeral of the victims of the Maine dis- aster a delegation from the concentra- dos expressed the wish to carry the bodies on their shoulders to the grave as proof of their gratitude to the Amer- icans, but General Lee thanked them and sald the bodies would be carried in the manner selected by the authori- ties. In front of the Albisu Theater, on Reina and Belascoain avenues, about 400 concentrados joined in the pro- cession, which had by that time been increased by some 500 persons of all classes. The procession did not reach the cemetery until after 6 p. m. There the religious ceremonies were presided over by Bishop Manuel Sanerand and Father Chadwick, chaplain of the Maine. SRS Big Order for Cartridges. ' NEW YORK, Feb. 18.—An order for 8,000,000 Mauser rifle cartridgescharged with antiphrite powder has been placed with a powder firm in this city by the Spanish Government. The order was given through a contracting agent, who has so far managed te conceal his identity. The powder, as its name im- plies, is smokeless. It is used by the Russian and German armies and Eng- land. Another Cruiser for Havana. NEW YORK, Feb. 18—Late dis- patches from Washington announce that the administration has decided that another man-of-war should be sent at once to Havana to replace the Maine. The Montgomery will probably be the vessel selected, and that vessel will be in Havana harbor probably Monday noon. After It Had a Chance 1o Steal From THE CAL the instincts of a purloiner and influenced | did not have it and had no means of get- by long training in the atmosphere of evil: To pause in the midst of the rush of news to set forth the familiar fact that the Examiner is a thief, that it prints in- formation stolen from The Call, and to which only the New York. Herald and this paper have the right, is a hardship. The right is protected by law. But no law is regarded by the yellow brood of Hearstlings as worth obeying until it has led them to the jail door and threatened to throw them in. Accurate information concerning Spain since the loss of the Maine has come by the New York Herald's service alone. Papers not having access to this match- less service have depended upon rumor or absolute canard, or had to content them- selves wlg\ making a meager showipg. The Call has the Herald news. The Ex- aminer has it sometimes, but only through the simple process of larceny, a process it has so often employed that, forced to practice honesty, it would be like a ship without a rudder. ‘When the Belew story was given to the ting it until its successful rival appeared. The presses of the Mission-street dodger had been going, but they were stopped. ‘When they were started again the papers they turned out had the story, stolen boldly, shamelessly, with total disregard of the fact that it was copyrighted, that the crime could not escape detection and that the duty of branding it afresh as a faker, a thief and pretender would not be €vaded. And the Examiner has made fre- quent boasts that it discarded the Herald service, the same service to secure por- tions of which it is ever ready to commit an act of felony! The Examiner knew there would be something of importance in The Call, without which its own account would be lame and ineffective. Of course it could not guess' as to the nature of this and could not make head lines in advance to conform with what it intended to steal. The best it could do was to lift out a batch- of trivial stuff and insert in its place the booty of its raid on journalism. This is to be expected occasionally until such time as the statutes shall intervene. The Herald has threatened the Exame iner by wire with immediate suit.