The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 19, 1898, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1898. 5 BEFORE DISHONOR THERE WILL COME WAR PLENTY OF GROUND FOR SUSPICION Secretary mature in Urging Accident Theory Spaniards Are Charged Too Openly With Treachery for Public Opinion to Be Held in Check. Call Office, Riggs Hot - made to-day nsibility for the e, but Secretary s No new n on id he is convinced that it w ident. is attached to the r handed to Captain ago and published rtance s this morning. It is ecretary Long thinks, s of the Pr every few days, rthing more than that ble crank been Navy Department the effect of publication on the and took steps rning by fresh g the Maine dis- P The opinion of Alger xpert, was given out by to show that a torpedo the work. ready to send to rmation concerning in Cuba. It was laid be- binet to-day. It is not im- at definite, action by Con- ollow. The President was urged withhold it for the present in view of the public excitement. were no new or important mes- from any official in Havana to re the C. at its sion to- e of any kind telling of amen of the abinet ad se convened at the usual ss than the ated that y the Presi- uss, and that s ERg - publication. have been re the Cabinet, and another is ams have been received and Ave been suppressed. retary said that he had sup- »thing of any kind. ion of the Cabinet to talk disaster, he said, was on It further denied that talked with army condition of the fighting country and to find out consent to a -war loan from Co . An nent made by Secre- ever, was that in the another warship will be he quickl i be obtaine ant stat ed. was that the time cannot The Secretary did not discuss this point. Dur- ing the session the Pre ident ordered | Promises to Maintain the Offilal that a bouquet ¢ be cut from | the White . Hou ervatory and Character of All Work About S , wife of Captalin the Wreck. sent to Mrs. § S 2. This son-in sent for to receive them. dent has not forgotten the n who were killed. He | that The only | and Ensign | ‘aptain Sigs- | Department to-night received the fol- s that the families of any |day | tinued care for the dead and for other of the dead seamen residing in Wash- ington be sent bouquets. He did not ¥ ; the names of Washingtonians were sacrificed, and instructed that they be looked up. | Comn d among Congress- 't that ti. Navy De- through every utterance has official sanction is en- jeavoring to allay suspicion that the blowing up of the Maine was the re- sult of foul play. Particularly active efforts in that direction are being made day. In the opinion of Congres: who are reserving judgment until ] known, the attitude of | Long Pre- mistake is being made by the administration in not maintaining an absolutely neutral attitude. This mis- take is, say, the more apparent from the fact that the accident theory advanced by the Secretary and by in- nce with semi-official authority, is not the universally held theory in the department, and is disputed by v eminent authority. The fact is x’h,n it is not known what caused the disaste Individuals are at liberty to speculate n the matter as much as they please, d to support their theories by such acts, scientific or otherwise, as they | can, but it is felt to be unwise for the administration to go further than to the hope, which is entertained v everybody, that the explosion was not the result of foul play. The department is blamed for issuing pewritten opinion and argument by Professor Alger, seeking to prove tha the explosion cculd not have been caused by a torpedo, and that it was the result primarily of an explosion in the magazines. It criticized dispatches | from Havana, after stating that torpe- | does might have been planted under the Maine, and stated that “all this, how- ever, {s regarded as being unlikely to occur, as being almost impossible to occur withcut the collusion of Spanish officials.” ‘The idea of the collusion of Spanish officer: en on their individ- ponsibility, is shunned by every- e A fact, however, which has been | overlooked in the discussion of this | question is, that before the matter | came close home to us, there no | hesi about charging the Spanish and the Spanish Government with atrocities quite as savage, brutal | and treacherous as the blowing up of the Maine. These charges have been made, not only in the press, but in the most de- liberate considered speechesand reso- lutions in Congress, and have been re- ferred to by the President in a mes- sage to Congress. It is held that, while these charges, publicly made and often repeated, do not warrant the assump- tion that any Spanish official, even in his private capacity, would connive at such a horrible deed as the treacher- ous destruction of an American battle- ship, yet the fact that such atrocities were charged in good faith does not warrant the assumption that such a thing is possible, and suggests the withholding of judgment until the facts are known. The purpose of the administration to prevent as far as possible the hasty forming of a pub- lic opinion adverse to Spain is ap- proved by the best men in official life in Washington, but an official assump- tion, in the face of expert testimony to the contrary, that the explosion was accidental is regarded as unwarranted and unwise. It is not regarded as ‘re- serving” opinion. CAPTAIN SIGSBEE'S LATEST REPORT. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.—The Naval lowing message from Captain Sigsbee: “With General Lee and Cowles to- visited Captain-General Blanco and other chiefs of civil and military branches of Government and returned thanks for great demonstration of sym- pathy yesterday and for their con- good offices now being exercised in our behalf. Received additional assur- ances of sympathy and desire to help. Spanish authorities feel situation acutely. I have promised to maintain official character of all work done on wreck of the Maine. No friction any- where. SIGSBEE.” The reference to the official character of the work is interpreted at the Navy s liable to prove embar- official or semi-official ex- | Department that no divers hired by newspapers will be allowed to investi- of opinion should be re-|gate the wreck. As to the published served. In a semi-official way, they | statement that Spain intends to claim say, the Secretary has already passed | 3 joint interest in the work of the court judgment on a case which a court of | of jnquiry the department says under inquiry has been appointed to investi- | the harbor regulations of any civilized gate, and the investigation of which| port the local authorities are bound to has not yet begun. | make an official investigation of any Should that court secure evidence which circumstantially leads to the conclusion that the Maine was de- by design it is believed that country would be very seriously wreck occurring in their jurisdiction, irrespective of the nationality of the vessel or of any investigation by an- other Government, in the case it is a st by theiarsumenteinlready] o oROel BY S {GINED Wonae: A8t iR arrasse = 2 & matter is understood here s is e advanced h.\;fl}hf’hfli’rzzr}m"\ll :oon C&f:;‘ only right Spain claims in the case and vince the public that the expios S| it is conceded to be entirely fair. This av{:ldkn!‘al}-1 s from Havana announce|Statement of the case was confirmed at dispatches O] that the Spanish authorities inCuba e have designated officers to make an in-| 000 that the Coast Survey steamer vestigation jointly with the American Bache, with divers ' and apparatus ficials as to the cause of the disaster. \ The Spanish will probably make a pri- ;‘{ba"‘f‘;g;l_ had sailed from Tampa for vate as well as this public investiga- tion. Their taking this precaution rec- ognizes that the circumstances of the explosion warrants suspicion, and this action is one of self-defense against the possibility of a biased report by American officlals. It is a foregone conclusion that no matter what the American board of inquiry may dis- cover, the report of the Spanish offi- cials will be that the explosion was ac- cidental. In the event of a contrary report by the court of inquiry appoint- ed by Admiral Sicard, the contention of the Spanish authorities will be sus- tained and that of our own officials dis- credited. The Congressionai critics say, by the declarations which are emanating from PREPARING FOR THE INQUIRY. KEY WEST, Feb. 18.—Rear Admiral Sicard is preparing a grecept or ad- vance order for assembling the court of inquiry here into the loss of the Maine. The warships Iowa, Indiana and Massachusetts are expected to- night or to-morrow morning. Their of- ficers and those of the cruiser New York will probably compose a major- ity of the court. The court may proceed later to Ha- vana. A room in the Federal court the Navy Department, that it is pre- here will most likely be secured for the Audicipe_the cage. 1t J8 beld byv:the e sittings, T | m SCATTERED AROUND THE GLOBE. Location of the Vessels of the United. States Navy. Unsuspicious of any trouble near home, the fighting force of the United States navy in commission is now, as it was in 1861, distributed in the four quarters of the globe, on five several stations. Fourteen are on the Home or North Atlantic Station, three on the South Atlantic Station, three on the European Station, seven on the Pacific Station, seven on the Asiatic Station, four on special service and three on reserve, with six torpedo boats, all on the Home Station at Norfolk, Mobile or Key West. These and some thirteen others out of commission or not ready for service, with several “back number” or obsolete vessels, such as the Comanche and the old Pensacola, constitute the sea power of the United States. Abbreviations—M., monitor; B. 8., battleship; C., cruiser; P. C., protected cruiser; C. D., coast defense; A. C., armored cruiser; D. B., dispatch boat; G. B., gunboat; Gat., gatling gun; R. F. G., rapid fire gun; B. L. H., breech- loading Howitzer; B. L. R., breech-loading rifle; T. B., torpedo boat; R., ram or rifle; H. R. C., Hotchkiss revolv- ing gun; Pdr., pounder; M. M., mtllimeters; S. M. T. B., sub-marine torpedo boat. * Designates the flagships. HOME SQUADRON-—North Atlantic Station. Rear Admiral M. Sicard, Commander-in-Chief. PRUDENCE AND PATIENCE THE POLICY President and Cabinet Await an Official Investigation. Secretary Long Pretends to Believe the Fearful Loss of Property and Life Was Accidental. NEW YORK, Feb. 18.—A Washington specfal to the Herald says: Patience and prudence continue to characterize the conduct of the President and his advisers in dealing with the Maine disaster. The President has no desire to unduly force the conclusion upon the public that the dire calamity in Ha- vana has been or was the result of an accident, but until there is evidence to the contrary he trusts and believes that judgment will be suspended by all fair- minded people. The confidence felt by the adminis- tration that the disaster suffered by the late second-class battle-ship Maine was the result of an accident is shown both by the conservative opinion expressed to-day by Secretary Long and by or- ders which have been issued to naval ships. After carefully considering all the in- formation which has come to hand, and after a discussion of the subject which occurred at the Cabinet meeting this morning, the Secretary authorized an interview late this afternoon, in which he said: “Really, no information has been received since Captain Sigsbee's | NAME. CLASS. BATTERIES. Indiana .........oeeoeveveenan.] B.S. |413-in. B. L. R., 8 8-In. B. L. R., 4 6-in.[20 6-pdr. R. F., 6 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- B. L. R. lings. IOWa ..evverececnciscciceneeaee.f B.S. |4 12-1;1; 1:1 L. R, 8 8-in. B. L. R., 6 4-in. Zflllfi-pdr. R. F, 4 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- B. L. R. ngs. Massachusetts . B.S. |4 13-1;-1; %L. R., 8 8-in. B. L. R., 4 6-in. 20| 6-pdr. R. F., 6 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- B. ings. Texas ........ tesecsscscscsese..] B.8. 212-in. B. L. R., 6 6-in. B. L. R. 6 1-pdr. R. F., 4 37-mm. H. R. C, 2 Gatlings. TEITOr ....ceeveveseesseseene..] C.D. |4 10-in. B. L. R. | 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F.,, 2 Gat- lings, 2 37-mm. H. R. C. Detroit .... C 9 5-in. R. F. G. 6 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. G,, 1 Gat- ling. Nashville .........cceseeneeees.] G. B. {8 4-in. R. F. G. 4 ?i-pdr, R. F, 21-pdr. R. F. G, 2 Gat- ngs. Montgomery C. |10 5-in. R. F. G. 16 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F., 2 Gatlings. Brooklyn .. A. C. [88-in. B. L. R, 12 6-in. R. F. 12 6-pdr. R. F.. 4 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- lings. *New York . A. C. |68-in. B. L. R, 12 4-in. R. F. 8 6-pdr. R. F., 4 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- lings. Marblehead ......... C. 9 5-in. R. F. G. 6 lGl-pdr. R. F, 2 1-pdr. R. F, 2 Gat- ngs. CUBBINE +.oevonesiosossossreaton] MEiBE fdidinacrssadscorssonossasonssasaesssecsots|Busapar: R. F. -G, 3.18-in. Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. Ericsson ....... ceresrereensens T. B. |.ieccecsccocssectcssscscssssases sosesssesss |3 1-pdr. R. F. G., 3 18-in. Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. POIDHIN .- oonros s s i tossvas oD BoIS fon, R. F.“G: 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 47-mm. H. R. C,, 2 Gatlings. Vesuvius C. D. |3 15-in. Dynamite Guns. 3 3-pdr. R. F. Foote .... . B, [ieececcancrenses ssesesscence wasassecsese|d 1-pdr.sR. F. G., 8 18-in. Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. Winslow . B feroseccscscssccccscvossodsss teiiecsseecene.. 4 1-pdr. R. F. G., 3 18-in. Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. POrter ....coeeeee ceresesnesens 4 1-pdr. R. F. G., 3 18-in. Whitehead e T ., 8 18-n. Whitehead | TR b oensbmsennsal LID% T L focaeiearesesesssesen sesesesssnasssececcessss |4 1-pdr. R. F. G, 18-in. teheas Supon Torpedo Tubes. South Atlantic Station. Captain C. M. Chester, Commander-in-Chief. . SCInCInNAtl -.ooesmperrsreeaeees] P. C. J106-i0.R. F. G, 1 6-In. R. F. G- 8 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. G., 2 Gat- lings. Wilmington ....... cssessresses] GoB. |8 4-In. R. F. G 4 ?l-pdr. R. F., 4 1-pdr. R. F. G, 2 Gat- ngs. Castine G. B. [84-in. R. F. G. |4 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. G. European Station. Rear Admiral A. Howell, Commnnie_r-ln-CMef, *San Francisco ...cceceeesees..] P. C. [12 64in. B. L. R. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 4 3-pdr. R. F,, 2 1-pdr. R. F. C, 3 37-mm. H. R. C, 4 Gat- lings. Helena ...c... G. B. 84-in. R. F. G. 4 l]il-bdr. R. F,, 4 1-pdr. R. F. G, 2 Gat- ngs. Bancroft c.oeceeceneriicenecnans TS 4 4-in. R. F. G. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F., 1 1-pdr. R. F. C., 1 37-mm. H. R. C,, 1 Gatling. Rear Admiral J. N. Milier, Pacific Station. Commander-in-Chief, Mare Island Navy Yard. 20 6-pdr. R. F., 6 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Gat- OFEEON ..ccevvvnssssesssnssess.] B. S, |413-in. B. L. R, 8 8-in. B. L. R., 4 6-in. B. L. R. lings. Monadnock ....eeeeseseesseses.f C. D. |4 10-in. B. L. R, 2 4-in. R. F. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F., 2 37-mm. H.R.C, 21-pdr. R. F. C. MONterey .....ccceesessessesss.] C. D. [212-in. B. L. R. 210-in. B. L. R. 6 g:p(ér. R. F., 2 Gatlings, 4 1-pdr. R. *Baltimore .., P.C. [48-in. B. L. R. 6 6-in. B. L. R. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. (Honolulu.) l} F. C, 4 37-mm. H. R. C, 2 Gat- lings. Bennington .......eceeeeeveee..] G. B. 6 6-in. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R.'F. G, 2 37-mm. H. R. C., 2 Gatlings. Marietta . C.G.B. |6 4-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F', 2 1-pdr. R. F. G. Alert . Iron. [2 9-in. S. B., 1 60-pdr. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr., 2 37-mm., 2 Gatlings. Rear Admiral George C. Asiatic Station. Dewey, Commander-in-Chief. *Olympla P.C. [48-n. B. L. R, 105-in. R. F. G. 14 6-pdr. R. F., 6 1-pdr. R. F. C., 4 Gat- lings. Petrel ....ceeeeevesnesssneeane..| G. B. 4.6-in..B. L. R. 11-pdr. R. F. G,, 2 37-mm. H. R. C, 2 Gatlings. BoStOn ....essesevesscescness...] P.C. 166-in. B. L. R, 2 8-in. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. C, 2 4T-mm. H. R. C,, 2 Gat- lings. MONOCACY «ccocescososssaoscnce G. B. |48-in. 8. B, 2 60-pdr. 13-in. B. L. R,, 1 12-pdr. S. B. H,, 4 37- mm. H. R. C,, 2 3i-mm. H. R. C, 2 Gatlings. Ralelgh .....ccceeevvevenesense..] P.C. |10 6-in. R. F. G, 1 6-in. R. F. G. 8 (;i;pdr. R. F., 4 1-pdr. R. F. C, 2 Gat- ngs. Concord ....ccoeenevevneesieee..| G. B, |6 6-in. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F. G, 2 37-mm. H. R. C., 2 Gatlings. Machias .. o.c....olioaoue. .| G.B. |8 4-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F, 2 1-pdr. R. F. G, 2 1-pdr. (Returning Home.) R. F. G. Special Service. ‘Wheeling .. C.G.B. 6 4-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. G. Michigan = . 2 eesees...]6 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F., 2 Gatlings. ( & Amphitrite 4°10-in. B. L. R. 2 4-in. R. F., 2 37-mm. H. R. C,, 2 6-pdr. i R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F, 2 1-pdr. H. R. C. Newport .............h........| C. G. B. |6 4-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F. G. Reserve. Minneapolls ...................] P.C. |1&In. B, L. R,, 2 6-in. R. F. G., 8 4-In.|32 6-pdr. R. F., 4 1-pdr. R. F. C,, 4 R. F. G. Gatlings. Columbia .....c.ovveeeevernne..] P.C. |2 6-in. R. F. G., 8 4-in. R. F. G, 1 8-in. |12 6-pdr. R. F., 4 1-pdr. R. F. C, 4 B. L. R. Gatlings. Puritan .........cceiveeenn C. D. |4 12-in. B. L. R, 2 4-in. R. F. 6 6-pdr. R. F., 4 Gatlings, 2 37-mm. H. R. C. Undergoing Repairs. ChiCago .....ceeetevvseeiennse..] P.C. [|48in. R. F. G., 14 6-in. R. F. G. 7 6-pdr. R. F., 2 Colts, 2 1-pdr. R. F., 1 field gun. Philadelphia «c.ceevveeeenenes.| P. C. [12 6-in. R. F. G. 8 6-pdr. R. F., 3 37-mm. H. R. C, 4 1-pdr. R. F., 4 Colts. Newark . P.C. 126-in. R. F. G. 8 6-pdr. R. F., 3 37-mm. H. R. C,, 4 1- pdr. R. F., 4 Colts. Charleston ........ccoeeeeeenn..] P.C. [28-in. B. L. R, 6 6-in. B. L. R. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 4 37-mm. R. C, 2 3-pdr. R. F., 2 Colts, 2 1-pdr. R. F. 1 field gun. . Miantonomoh .......ceveievee.f C. D. [410-in. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 3-pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F., 2 Gatlings. Lancaster ... C. 10 5-in. R. P. G., 2 6-in. B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 37-mm. H. R. C, 2 1- 6 6-in. R. F. G., 2 8-In. B. L. R. pdr. R. F., 1 Gatling. 2 6-pdr. R. F.. 2 3-pdr. R. F., 6 1-pdr. R. F., 2 Colts. Hartford . S C. 13 6-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F. Katahdin R. 4 feaseenenns 4 6-pdr. R. F. Yorktown ..... G. B. . B. L. R. 2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 37-mm. H. R. C,, 2 3- pdr. R. F., 2 1-pdr. R. F., 2 Gatlings. Dolphin .. .] D.B. |24-In. R. F. B. L. R, 2 47-mm. R. C. |2 6-pdr. R. F., 2 Gatlings. Ranger 6 4-in. R. F. G. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 1 Colt, 1 fleld gun. Pinta .. |2 12-pdr. 8. B. H. 11-pdr. R. F., 1 Gatling. Under Construction. Kentueky ......uicacioreisvens). BitHL Kearsarge . B. 8. Illinois ... B. S. Alabama . B: 8. Wisconsin . B. 8. Princeton .. G. B. Ten Torpedo Boats. Four Torpedo Boats.. Plunger ...... IS.M.T.B. Same as III 6 4-1n. 4 13-in. B. L. R., 48-in. B. L. R., 14 5-in. R. . F. Same as Kentucky. 4 13-in. B. L. R, 16 6-in. R. F. inois. Same as Illinois. e ....|2 Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. |3 Whitehead Torpedo Tubes. [2 Whitehea: d Torpedo Tubes. 20 6-pdr. R. F.; 4 Colts, 6 1-pdr. R. F., 2 fleld guns. [Same as Kentucky. 16 6-pdr. R. F., 1 Gatling, 4 1-pdr. R. F., 1 field gun. Same as Illinois. Same as Illinois. 4 6-pdr. R. F., 1 Colt, 2 1-pdr. R. F,, 1 field gun. 2 3 and 4 pdr. R. F. 4 4-pdr. R. F. Five single turret monit&m of thelAjux and C:mumhe '.ype are in the hands of the Naval Militia at various ports, while eight others are laid up in ordinary at League Island and Norfolk. These can all be ready for serv- ice within a limited time. The cruiser Marion is in the hands of the Naval Militia at San Diego and the Thetis is laid up in ordinary at Mare Island. Seven small cruisers and gunboats are in the training service. Six steel and M&'fl:w three/ixon tugs lete the list: first dispatch, adding to our knowledge of the disaster. All we know is that the Maine blew up. There is abundant room for speculation of all sorts, but no conclusion can be arrived at until an examination has been made by the divers and more facts obtained. “It is a simple act to say that such a thing might happen by design or it might happen by accident. As yet there is no indication bf design. Therefore, my impression has been all along, and I rather think the general opinion pre- ponderates in the same direction, that it must have been accidental. “At the Cabinet meeting to-day the matter was not discussed, except as any body of men talk about an event of that kind, and most of that talk re- lated to the terrible loss of life and to expressions of sympathy for the suffer- ers. It certainly was a very kind thought in the President to send flow- ers to the families of Captain Sigsbee, of the Executive Officer Wainwright and of the lost seamen whose resi- dences are in Washington. “There has been no secret Cabinet meeting, and nothing has taken place in the Cabinet that the public has not been informed about. The whole policy of the department has been to give the public all the dispatches. The depart- ment has no more knowledge on the subject of the cause of the disaster or even of the circumstances attending it | than has the public, and the report to the effect that Captain Sigsbee had warned the department that the Maine was in danger from submarine mines or torpedoes is utterly without foundation, no such report ever hav- ing been received from him or from anybody else.” I was informed authoritatively to-day that Secretary Long had not asked for the opinion of Captain Sigsbee as to whether the vessel's loss was due to accident or design, nor will he do so. | It Is recognized by the Secretary as: | well as by other officials of the depart- | ment that Captain Sigsbee is in a | measure on trial, and that he will be | held responsible should it be shown. | that carelessness was responsible for~ | the Maine's destruction. | _The board of officers appointed by Captain Sigsbee to make an investiga- tion has not been able, according to« \lhe latest advices from Captain Sigs- | bee, to obtain the report of a diver as | to the appearance of the ship’s bot- | tom. The department will naturally | have to await the report of this board before it can reach any conclusion as | to the cause of the accident. But even | upon the finding of this board, the de- partment’s decision will not be final. Tt | will await with patience the report of | the Sampson court of inquiry. | Upon the report of the court of in- | quiry will depend the future course to be pursued by the administration in this whole matter. The court is ex- | pected to commence the work of exam- ! ining the officers and enlisted men of the Maine at Key West either to-mor- | row or Monday, and then go to Havana to continue investigation on the ground. Secretary Long said the court would go to Havana either on the Oliyette or the lighthouse tender Man-. grove, and not on board of a man-of- war. In anticipation of reports several days ago indicating that the loss of the ship might have been due to an exter- nal cause, the department cabled to St. Thomas directing the cruiser Brooklyn, which was expected there, to remain until further orders. There was some talk at that time of | bringing the vessel to Key West. Sec. retary Long decided to-day, however, | to permit her to continue her cruise | to La Guayra, Venezuela, and a cable- | gram was accordingly sent to her com- | mander, Captain C. F. Cook, late this | afternoon, directing him to proceed to | the Venezuelan seaport. | _Besides the orders to the Brooklyn, | the department has determined tomob- ilize the North Atlantic squadron about February 25. Accordingly, instruc- tions have been given to the command- ing officers of the second-class battle- | ship Texas, the cruisers Detroit and Marblehead and the gunboat Nashville to start for Key West on February 23. | The Texas and the Nashville are at | Galveston, Texas, the Detroit at New | Orleans and the Marblehead at Mo~ | bile, Ala., attending the Mardi Gras | festival in progress at these points. A department official, in talking to me to- night, said these vessels would®hardly | be allowed to continue their stay at | these points if the administration anti~ | cipated any immediate emergency. Secretary Long confirmed, after the Cabinet meeting to-day, the Herald's | exclusive announcement this morning | that a vessel would be sent to Havana | harbor to replace the Maine. The ship | selected will proceed to that port im=- | mediately after the return of the sup= ply ship Fern, which is expected to leave Havana harbor in two or three days for Key West. The vessel selected, according to the best information ob- tainable to-day, would either be the | cruiser Montgomery or the gunboat | Nashville. ADVERTISEMENTS. Dr. Sanden’s Electric Belt Adds Fifteen Years to His Life. No Need of Doctors Now. The knowledge that he is growing old is usually forced on a man by the fre- quency of pains, by evidence of failing vitality. One organ and then another seems to lose its power, and this old age is only the advance messenger of decay. It tells you that your time is approaching and you must go. But don’t listen to it. Fight it off. Nature . is not ready to give up yet. She only needs a little help. The pains and aches are your old enemies—enemies of your youth—trying to rob you of life. De- stroy them as this old man did. He Fecls Strong and Healthy at 70 Years. 710 O'FARRELL STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, February 2, 1808. DR. SANDEN—Dear Sir: 1 was generally broken down, had pains in my back and weak kidneys when I your belt. I thought old age and hard work were get- y with me. But I began to feel better the first time I put the Belt on. It my kidneys right away and gave me strength every day until it had me good rong in two months. That was two years ago, and 1 never felt better than I since then. I tell you I had rather have a Sanden Belt near me than a dozen It has added fifteen years to my life. . I-am now 70, and I expect to bury lots Yours truly, JAMES DAGGETT. I g % : + P4 3 : a have doctors. of younger men yet. Makes Old Men Young and Young Men Vigorous. Don’t let what you have done in the past tear down your strength. Build yourself up now. This grand Electric Beit pours life into the old veins and warms them up. The current is felt all the time, can be regulated, and the Belt is warranted for one vear. Book, “Three s of Men,” free, with full information. Call and fest the Belt if possible. Call or address, SANDEN ELECTRIC CO., 30 Msskt St 0rmonl Palace Hotel, £an Francisco. m.; Bundays, 10 to 1. Branches at Los Angeles, Cal., , Or., 263 Washington st; Denver, Col., $31 Sixteenth io“mul:ll:k:t‘ln the number—630 MARKET STREET. m. to 8 p. P st.; Dallas, Tex. N OTE—Mak: