The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 23, 1898, Page 1

Call VOLUME LXXXIIL—NO. 85. SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1898. PRICE FIVE CE PROOF THAT T DESTR( THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION IS PROGRESSING EXPLOSION NOT DUE TO AN ACCIDENT What Is Shown Dby the Work of the Divers at Havana. Officials at Washington Continue , - toMake Peace Protestations While Preparations for War Go Forward. pers in the send out charges thorities of country the first 0000000000000 0000005000 Copyrighted, 1598, by James Gordoa Bennett. HAVANA, Feb. 22. — La Lucha, in editorial this afternoon, recommends that all correspondents of newspa- United States who Spain be expelled from Cuba. states that Captain Sigsbee has no right to take an active part in the Maine investigation, adding that in any other would be to court-martial him. o (] (] (] © ] (] (] against the au- immediately La Lucha also 00 [ 00000 © [} (] (] (] official proceeding | to a group of friends on the ferry-boat her peculiarities when there came, he says, a dull report from the forward part of the warship and the upheaval of a geyser of water about the boat. followed almost immediately by a terrific roar and a blinding flash of light. He is positive about the first explosion and says it was noticed by his companions. This statement of his came to the ears of one of the court of inquiry, and last night an officer was sent to Senor Caballeros to ask him if he would ap- pear as a witness before the court He announced his willingness to do so and was to have appeared to-day. Many strange tales of the disaster are brought out as the days wear on. One of these was made known vesterday when the captain of an English bark an- chored in the harbor and nearly a mile distant from the Maine told of how a bewhiskered jaw had fallen on the deck of his vessel. The captain has been asked to appear as a witness before the court of inquiry. The proceedings of that body absorb all interest now. Every one here be- lieves a crisis will follow close upon the heels of its conclusions. The Spanish authorities realize that Spain is perilously near a rupture with the United States and suppressed ex- citement is felt in the air. The Captain- | General s in constant communication with Madrid, but nothing that is hap- pening there or at Washington is al- lowed to appear in the papers. The | foreign consular officials are likewise busy with their home offices. Diving operations at the wreck were | carried on to-day more briskly and | with better results than heretofore. at least so far as the work of recovering | bodies is concerned. The men are now | becoming accustomed to the lay of the iwreck and proceed with more freedom and confidence than they had when they | first ventured into the murky depths. Operations were confined entirely to- ‘day to the forward part of the ship. | Twelve bodies had been recovered up | to 3 o'clock. The divers also brought up deck chairs and other articles that formed part of the ship’s furniture. As the bodies were brought to the | surface they were towed to the Spanish | patrol boat, where they were prepared | for burial. T spent a short time this C000000000C000000CO0O000C00000000Q0QED |afternoon on board this barge in com- HAVANA, Feb. 22.—The further inquiry into the | pany with Chaplain Chadwick. The Out | bodies presented a sickening sight. causes that led to the Maine disaster proceeds, the more | of twelve recovered to-day it has been remote appear the chances that any evidence will be discovered to show that the disaster was due to acci- dent. I am able to give you the result of the investiga- tion made this morning by the divers. Those that penetrated into the forward part of the wreck found that the whole forward end of the ship from a point just abaft the forward turret had been twisted fifteen or twenty degrees to starboard. That part of the vessel was a wilderness of debris and curled and twisted plates. The sharp, jagged edges of some of the plates added danger to the difficulties of the divers by getting their life lines into a tangle and fraying the cords, and in one instance almost cutting through the rubber tube with air. One important discovery made was as | tanks for the which supplied the diver six-inch magazine was to the position of the corpses found in | found by the divers in the wreck of that the wreck, 100 of which were floatinf(l‘ structure. A full] charge. about ‘the torn compartments. score of these were examined by niy in- All of these were in their hammocks and all had their arms ved upward as if they had been startled by some sudden shock of dan- ger and were in the act of reaching up for their hammock hooks to swing selves on deck when death came. This seems to confirm what has already been said about there having been two explosions, the first startling the men into the act of arising from their ham- mocks, the other dashing the life out of them while they were in that position. Before the explosion the ten-inch magazine was located on the starboard side, forward, and beneath the forward turret. What is left of that magazine seems to have been driven toward the # port bow in a diagonal and upward di- rection The six-inch magazine, which had.its location in the port side of the ship for- ward, was hurled in a direction directly opposite to that of the ten-inch maga- zine. One of the copper cylindrical formant. It contained no powder The ten-inch magazine has not been closel_y examined at this writing, but such inspection of it as was made .Ieads my informant to believe the big pile of twisted wreckage that lies about the top of it is composed of unexploded ten- inch charges. My informant believes that the six- inch magazine was exploded by the first shock that was felt, and that there was another explosion in the ten-inch mag- azine. Though I questioned him very closely I could gain no idea as to whether the curvature of the plates indicated that there had been an outside explosion. He could not tell me, as he had made no examination in that direction. The theory of two explosions is borne out by the testimony of Senor An- tonio Caballero, a well known tobacco dealer in Havana. Senor Caballero was crossing the bay in the ferry-boat at the. time of the disaster. He was familiar with the Maine, having paid several visits to that craft, and was pointing out | impossible so far to identify one. Most | of them are scarred and burned beyond | recognition. Those bodies that had not | been burned had been in the water so long the features were unrecognizable. | Eight of the bodies were in such a con- | dition that they were all placed in one | coffin. | As the bodies were towed alongside | the barge Chaplain Chidwick peered anxiously over the side hoping that he might recognize some familiar features. Captain Sigsbee, at the time I was on the barge with Chaplain Chidwick, was on the lighthouse tender Mangrove a few yards away. He was seated alone on the deck looking stern and sorrowful as fresh evidence of the direful results of the explosion that destroyed his ves- sel came before his eyes. The bodies recovered from the wreck, with those | of men who died in the hospital, now number 158. Of these only fifty have been identified. It is possible that | marks on what is left of the clothing may lead to the identification of fifteen more. The operations of the divers to-day did not extend to that part of the wreck | where the officers’ quarters were, and | the bodies of Lieutenant Fred W. Jen- kins and Passed Assistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt have not vet been recovered. While the divers were at work the shores, as usual, were lined with throngs striving to follow all that was being done at the wreck and on the boats near by. Craft of all sorts swarmed in the vicinity of the operations, approaching as closely as the patrol boats would per- mit them. Before the Naval Court of Inquiry ap- pointed to investigate the cause of the explosion which wrecked the warship Captain Sigsbee 'to-day continued his story of the disaster.” All the morning was taken up in this examination, dur- ing which time, I am able to say, facts of great importance bearing upon the blowing up of the Maine were brought out. Great care is taken to keep se- cret all of Captain Sigsbee’s testimony, and the same care will when other important witnesses ap; EACHERY ED THE MAINE View of the City and Harbor of Bridgetown, Island of Barbadoes, West Indies, where the South Atlantic Fleet, con- sisting of the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Castine, has been ordered to rendezvous. P RS TR TO R DR PP 7”*‘4.}‘;@0}-{ 4 0&0#060¢¢4#¢##6¢¢###4‘§+60 before the court of inquiry to tell their stories. No story of the wrecking of the Maine will, however, be given such consideration by the Board of Inquiry as that of Captain Sigsbee, who, as commander of the United States war vessel, has told just what steps were taken to protect the battle-ship. Captain Sigsbee yesterday gave valu- able information as to this, but to-day it is" understood his testimony was of even greater importance and through it great light has been thrown upon the mystery of the Maine disaster. When all of Captain Sigsbee's testi- mony is in the court of inquiry will proceed immediately to the statements of the other officers of the Maine. and then the work of taking the testimony | of the wounded and other survivors of the battle-ship will begin. This- will prebably consume considerable time. as the stories of many of the crew of the Maine will be long. These who were nearest the scene of the explosion will be minutely examined by the court. Not one ot these has as vet told his story in detail, and whea these stories are told it is expected they will te very sensational. Great impor- tance is attached by the court to the testimony of these men. While the investigation in behalf of the United States is going on the Span- ish zuthorities are not idle. The deno- sions of officers of Spanish vessels in the tarbor zrd of harbor officials as to the Maine disaster were to-day given before Judge Peral of the Spanish Admiralty Court. 'n this way the Spanisn are working to gather facts as to the Maine disaster hitherto unknown. Refore the court of inquiry met on the Mangrove to-day members of the conrt paid an official visit to Admiral Man- terola. The court did not visit the members of the autonomist gov- ernment. In honor of the victims of the Maine the military commander of Guanabacoa has ordered the susnension for three days of public festivities in that city. This work of respect is greatly aopre- ciated by the American colony in this city. The rebels in the field have not been inactive during the excitement follow- ing the destruction of the Maine. Gen- eral Pando of the Santiago district has asked for re-enforcements to continue his campaign against Calixto Garcia and 1600 regulars have been sent to him. General engagements have taken place there recently, but no' details have redched the capital. —_— NAVAL OFFICERS ~ SUSPECT TREACHERY. So the Vast Quantity of Coal at Key West Is Now Being Searched. . NEW YORK, Feb. 22—A Key West special to the Herald says: Notwith- standing the order issued by the Navy Department commanding all its officers not to hold interviews with any person whatever in reference to the destruc- tion of the Maine, or other matters con- nected with naval affairs, it is evident from unguarded expressions heard in be exercised | hotel corridors and-in the streets that the opialon’of foul play in connection | R R R R R R R R R R R R R SPAIN WILL NOT SELL CUBA. Copyrighted, 1598, by James Gordon Bennett. MADRID, Feb. 22—As the question of the purchase of Cuba is being pushed in Washington, it may be of use to state, and I have it on the highest authority, that Spain would never, no matter what the Gov- ernment was in power, consider any such suggestion or any compro- mise in Cuba beyond the broad measure of autonomy drafted by the Liberal Government. This is an absolute, irrevocable decision. who suggest anything else are only wasting time and arousing un- founded hopes in the minds of the rebels. + + + + + + + + + + + People 4+ + + 4+ + with the blowing up of the war vesse! is daily gaining ground in naval circles. That treachery is suspected even at this point is evidenced by the precau- tions being taken by the naval au- thorities here. Precisely who is under | suspicion or what is mistrusted I hava been unable to ascertain, but the fact that unusual precautions are being taken is apparent. Below the surface suspicion seems to | be directed chiefly toward. the supply | of coal kept in the sheds here for the use of naval vessels. few days a gang of laborers has been overhauling the coal piles, searching for dynamite or ‘other combustibles. | During the last | The work is necessarily slow and te- | dious, on account of the immense quantity stored here, and the examina- tion will longer. work is discontinued at armed watchmen are placed on guard at the yard it would appear that not only is suspicion directed with what might have been placed in the coal in the past, but the authorities are ap- prehensive anew. It Is reported here to-night that a dispatch was received at the naval station after sundown from Washing- ton stating that the Washington of- ficials were working on information which may show that a bomb was placed in one of the bunkers of the ship and its explosion resulted in the sinking of the Maine. repudiated by numerous officers whom I questioned. They ridicule the idea that any ordinary bomb could have penetrated the heavy steel walls pro- tecting the magazines. I called on Commander Forsythe * to-night “and questioned him respecting the report. He looked down at me from his tower- ing height with a quizzical expression of countenance and said: “Young man, have you seen the orders from the Sec- retary of the Navy prohibiting all of- ficers from granting interviews to members of the press?” I evaded his query and asked him if he had received such an order. He begged to be excused from answering the question. There is no foundation in the report that Consul-General Lee has left Havana for the United States. I saw the consul in Havana last night on his way to the palace of Captain- General Blanco with whom he had a long conference. DELUGED WITH THE OFFERS OF VOLUNTEERS. Governor Holcomb of Nebraska Could Turn Out a Big Army in Case of War. NEW YORK, Feb. 22—A Lincoln (Neb.) special to the Herald says: Governor Holcomb and Adjutant-Gen- eral Barry have been deluged with proffers from National Guard members, ex-army men and citizens of their ser- vices, and yesterday sixty-five citizens of Valentine tendered their services to President McKinley through the Governor. Major Fechel, United States army, military attache to Governor Holcomb, has received a number of cipher tele- grams from Washington, but the con- tents are not disclosed.. At Fort Nio- brara there is more activity than any time since the Wounded Knee Indian uprising. Governor Holcomb refuses to say he has received any instructions from the ‘War Department. He says, the mili- tary strength of the State for immedi- ate service, fully equipped, is 1200 men, but that 200,000 more will respond if the Government calls them. $ This theory is | require possibly a week | From the fact that after the | sundown | R R R e R THE PRESIDENT MAY BE FORCED TO DECLARE WAR Fear of Popular Indignation Com- pels Mr. McKinley to Enforce Silence Among the Men of the NEW YORK, Feb. 22.—A Key West, + Fla., special to the Herald says: The Cali-Herald special dispatch boat arrived here from Havana at4 o’clock this afternoon. Notwithstanding the strong northerly wind and a heavy sea in the gulf the trim little steamer made the run across in a few hours. Her arrival in the har- bor, which caused considerable ex- citement, was simultaneous with that of the steamer Olivette from Tampa, and as the latter slowed down in approaching her dock the fleet little dispatch boat steamed past with her Herald pennant flying to the breeze, exchanging salutes with their musical whistle. As indicated in my dispatches last night, the wrecking tug Right Arm sailed this evening for Havana, hav- ing been sent by the naval author- ities to assist in the examination of the Maine. Captain Magee told me he had no doubt his men would be able within a few hours to deter- mine the cause of the disaster to- morrow. “Assuming,” | said, “that the action of a mine or torpedo from the exterior caused the explosion of the magazines, would a magazine explosion have obliterated evidences of the prior explosicn of the mine?"” “No,” said Captain Magee, “ as soon as our experienced divers get to work and the surrounding mud is dredged out from under the ship’s bottom we will be able to explain the whole affair thoroughly, but our informa- tion will be given to nobody but properly accredited Government officers.” Captain Magee seemed deeply impressed with the magnitude of the issue hanging upon the work of the men laboring under his control. He is a discreet man and may be depended upon to do faithful work and dis- close no secrets except to the proper authorities. The order issued by ihe Secretary of the Navy to all officers forbidding them under penalty of coart-martial from granting in- terviews to any person, and particularly newspaper correspondents, in reference to the destruction of the Maine or any matter connecied with the disaster, is being rigidly enforced by the naval authorities. The order has naturally, from the open manner and abso- lute freedom with which all information has been heretofore given by attaches of naval stations and officers of vessels in the harbor, caused considerable comment in. this city and created the impression that the Govern- ment is in possession of facts which perhaps have been developed by divers working in the Maine, which, if known by the public, might precipitate premature action by the President; in other words might force the executive to declare war before the Govern- ment is fully prepared to act. At all events the order is considered full of significance. T g NOT A HOLIDAY AT THE CAPITAL. - WASHINGTON, Feb, 22.—All the B R R S R PR R S Navy. | Government departments were closed in Washington to-day ,save the Navy | Department, where a few of the officials assembled to receive any dispatches | that might arrive and to close the con- tract with the wreckers for the recov- ery of the effects on the Maine and the vessel herself if that be practicable. | The signing of the wrecking contract | was the most important event of the day, and this concluded the officials | closed up shop and went home to enjoy | a respite from the rush of the past week. Captain Sigsbee was heard from in a dispatch which indicates that close attention will be given to the coal bunkers by the Navy Court of Inquiry. Washington officials unquestionably have been for some time preparing for any emergency that may arise, but ap- | pearances at the department to-day | would indicate that any necessary or- ders have already been given and that the situation is not one calling for im- mediate activity at Washington. The Castine and Cincinnati, in accordance with orders made known some time ago, are to move much further north, to West Indian waters, and at Norfolk the monitor Terror has been ordered to | be in readiness and will be sent to New York to-morrow. The Senate passed a bill to add two | artillery regiments to the strength of the navy. This measure has been urged for many months by officials of the War Department, who foresaw that | while Congress of late years had taken .| measures for the protection of our coasts by additional appropriations for extensive works, it had not provided the men necessary to operate these en- gines of war. Should the House pass the bill it will enable the department to carry out plans it has long had in view. Criticism lately passed upon the state of the army and our fortifications has caused increased activity in mili- tary matters and to some extent this is | responsible for reports arriving from various quarters of movements at army, posts. L FORTY RAPID-FIRE HOTCHKISS GUNS ORDERED. ‘Contracts With the American Ord- nance Company That Causes Comment. NEW YORK, Feb. 22.—A Bridgeport, Conn., special to The Herald says: The American Ordnance Company has re- ceived an order for guns which is ac- companied by considerable mystery. The order is for forty six-pounder rapid fire Hotchkiss guns to be deliv- ered at once. The order came from Vice-President Very of the Ordnance Company in Washington. The guns called for in the contract are such as are used largely by the Government for torpedo boats and light armed cruisers, and the belief is that they are for the United States Government. Secretary N. W. Bishop of the com- pany says the officials of the company here kncw nothing about the destina- | tion of the guns. The order was by telegraph and was signed by the vice- president. Immediately preparations were begun by the ordnance company for turning out the guns. Some of the castings will be made by the Bethle- hem Iron Works, Bethlehem, Pa., and it will take fully a wWeek to get the first gun under way, but af- ter that the company expects to turn out two or three a week. An additional