Newspaper Page Text
M to e ehli. N e ws. M
Q EQR Q
"Vr\T AW ( THE MORNING news. q
V 10 4 Established 1850. - -Incorporated 1888. >
( J. H. * resident. )
STARBOARD MAGAZINE SAFE.
CONVICTION GROWING THAT IT DID
SOT BLOW UP.
Cm«*H of Powder Found Unexplodert
by the Divers— Discovery Strength
ens Sumpieion That Explosion
Came From the Outside on the
Fort Bow—Junior Spanish Officers
Would Be Considered Under n
Cloud Should Mine Theory Prove
Correct.
Havana, Via Key West, Fla., Feb. 23.
The situation, which may be changed at
any moment by fresh discoveries, may be
■qmmed up, when this dispatch is sent
this afternoon, substantially as follows:
The divers having discovered the cases
of brown hexagonal powder for the 10-inch
gun unexploded and believing also that
lots unexploded would be found in the
10-inch magazine on the starboard side
forward, the conviction grows that this
magazine did not blow up. If this be so,
and many insisted from the first that it is
the case, the conviction is forced that the
explosion which wrecked the Maine came
from the outside on the port bow.
As previously wired the main portion
of the wreck, as seen from above and
noted from below, was blown from the
starboard.
The highest American officials here are
confident that Gen. Blanco and the other
high Spanish officials had no knowledge,
direct or indirect, of the conception or
execution of a plot to blow up the Maine,
if such a plot existed, but they believe
Chat the junior Spanish officers, who from
the nature of things are more conversant
with modern explosives than their elders
and superiors, were at the bottom of the
disaster, if there was any outside agency.
It Is pointed out that it would not be im
possible to plant a mine of wet and dry
gun cotton near where a foreign war ves
sel was directed to anchor, such a mine
connecting with an electric battery on
shore.
It Is regarded as an interesting point
that the Maine, for the first time during
her stay In the harbor, lay at the partic
ular spot where she was at the time of the
catastrophe, and. it is said, though not of
ficially verified, that the Maine was the ■
first foreign war vessel moored to this par
ticular buoy since the troubles in Cuba <
grew acute.
All stories as to lax discipline on the i
Maine are without a shadow of truth. On t
the contrary Capt. Sigtsbee was complain- rs
ed of by some for the rigidity of his rules t
and Gu’ strictness with .jk- <
rtoua aceklcnt until anchored in iM quiet t
* harbor. a
Tn reply tp a question put by this corre- f'
■pondent to a high American official as
to what the outcome would be if it was y
proved that the disaster was due to an t
outside agency, the official, in question f
tald: "Sir, the American people could not c
l>e restrained. It would mean war. Still, +
1 doubt whether it would be necessary to •
lire a shot. Admiral Sicard could anchor a
the lowa, the Indiana, the Massachusetts
and the New York outside Havana har- <
bor, to prevent the Ingress of food supplies, *
without which the city could not exist a ►
fortnight. Cuba is a waste of ashes and *
desolation. Even the hotels and cases 1
here In Havana live from hand to mouth <
on supplies brought from the United
Blates.
"If Admiral Sicard demanded the tur- 1
remler of Havana, giving twenty-four (
hours for the removal of women and chil- •
dren, surrender would follow. The forts
are old structures ami could be demol- ’
ished by a six-pounder. Such new guns 1
as have been mounted are short of ammu- 1
nition, and have never been tried. If
Gen. Blanco should decline to surrender
the Spanish merchants here, who repre
sent 80 per cent, of the property and pay
TO per cent, of the taxes of the Island,
would compel him to accede to Admiral
Sh ard's terms. As for the volunteers, the
men are, for the most nart, the employes
of the merchants and the volunteer officers
are largely their sons or their junior part
ners.
"H bi well fin look these things In the
face. At the stHn<- time, It is well for the
Americans to restrain themaelvoa until
there is some proof of an outside agency
in the explosion. We can afford to wait
a little longer, seeing we have walled so i
long. But we could not wait after it had I
been proven thnt the Maine disaster was i
the result of a dastardly plot.
"Spanish officer* from the old country i
hold to the unaccountable belief that their
arms would overcom<' u.* within ,
a few weeks, but the Cu
ban merchants have no such de
lusion, and they would control the sit
uation. Hence, I believe that no shot I
from a big American gun would tw neccs- I
•ary."
These sentiments represent the boot In
formed Americana here.
A member of the court of Inquiry who
conversed with this correspondent today
strongly deprecated any premature ex
pression or evidence of resentment on (he
part of the iwople of the United States j
until it was proven that the d'saater re- •
suited from some other cause than acci
dent. carelessness or the visitation of
Frovldence.
Certainly, the member® of’the court of
Inquiry who ore cool. experienc'd and Ju
dicial. will not lose their heads.
One thing seems certain; if the Maine I
was blown up by an outside agency, the i
agent was a mine and not a torpedo, ns I
no torpedo known could have produced )
such tremendous results.
Consul General Lee. who has received a
numi’cr of disputcheg to-day inquiring as
to the accuracy of the report that he la ar
ranging to go to Key West on the torpedo
boat Cushing to meet Senator Proctor.
lb*ys Ktt* no Intention of
so. To-day has been the quietest since the
explosion.
The wounded are all doing well except
Frederick C. Holser, who Is slightly
Worse.
The divers have been continuously at
work, but the results of their labors so
far as they would throw light on the cause
of the explosion, are kept strictly for (he
court of inquiry. The officers of the court
of inquiry during the in
spection of the wreck to-day. dis
covered. It is said, that the armor plates
projecting from the water for wan) near
ship. There is a got>) deal of speculation
as to what caused th*.*, many contending
, that the position of the plates show that
the big magazine forward did not ex
plode.
' The divers, it is believed by many, will
find very little of the structure of the ship
forward of the ten-inch turret.
The Olivette’s number of passengers for
Key West to-day was larger than usual.
It is "reported that Senor Jose Congosto,
the secretary general, has been censured
by Gen. Blanco, under Instructions from
Madrid, for sending dispatches to a New
York newspaper with reference to the
Maine explosion, and warned not to offend
again.
It Is feared that the excitement in the
United ©tales over the explosion may di
vert attention from the needs of the starv
ing reconcentrados and pacificos. The
condition of the peasantry and the poor
of the interior cities and those sent to the
seaboard can be scarcely exaggerated in
elements of horror. From most trustworthy
sources it is ascertained yiat while the
outward signs of famine and disease are
not so plentiful as a few months and weeks
ago, it is because death is busy and the
sufferers who are left are too weak to get
on the streets. As an illustration, in the
province of Santa Clara seventeen persons
took shelter in an abandoned lime kiln.
When their presence was discovered by
the authorities thirteen were dead and the
others too far gone to recover. The story
Is officially corroborated.
The ejgfloslon continues the main topic
in all circles, but especially American. It
is useless to deny that many believe in an
outside agency. These assert that even a
cursory examination of the wreck shows
conclusively that the disaster could not
have originated from within. It is pointed
out that the Maine’s magazines forward
were filled with brown hexagonal powder
in proper cases and would be slow to ig
nite, while all the high explosives were aft.
It is generally conceded that neither the
boilers, the electric wires nor spontaneous
combustion could, from the condition of
things, be responsible.
The wreck has sunk several feet already
in the soft mud, and probably will continue
to settle. An American officer of rank suf
ficient to entitle him to the confidence of
Americans Is authority for the statement
that a Spanish naval officer some time ago
sold to the Washington state department
a map of Havana harbor, showing sub
marine mines. The Spanish residents de
ny this statement, and say that the .nines
exist only in imagination. The Cubans, cn
the other hand, claim that main galleries
from the harbor lead to subterranean pas
sages known to have existed in Morro
Castle.
Gen. Blanco, on the night of the disaster,
was sitting with Gen. Marinas in the cor
ridor of the palace. When he heard the
explosion he jumped from his chair, ex
claiming: "At last they have put a shell
on the palace."
Tho latest dispatches from Madrid re
received here confirm the reports that
the home government agrees to an ampli
fication of the autonomous constitution in
th® direction of greater independence. This
“ insurgents accepting the
_
thV If the government ntiempts to dis
arm the volunteers great disturbances will
follow.
Gen. Solano, the second chief of staff,
yesterday said: "From the queen down
the sentiment of 17,000,000 Spanish people
favors complete autonomy for Cuba, ex
cept a small minority in Spain and about
400 SjM.nish residents in Cuba, whose pa
triotism is measured by their own person
ality and their regard for $5 pieces.
"Despite their opposition, autonomy will
come, because of Spain’s willingness to
grant natives political control, and the
Spanish are willing to go so far, if neces
sary to secure peace, to make Maximo Go
mez the first head of an autonomous gov
ernment."
It is not believed that any negotiations
between Senor Govin, Secretary of the In
terior, Senor Dolz, Secretary of Communi
cations, and Senor Glbera, and the Insur
gent leader, Capote. In tho name of the
autonomist government, will come to any
thing. No one expects any substantial
results to be obtained by the autonomists
In that direction.
COURT OF INQUIRY’S WORK,
Additional Witnesses Examined But
Nothin* Given Ont.
Havana, Feb. 23.—The United States
court of inquiry into the loss of the Maine
met this morning at 10 o'clock and exam
ined Dr. Hennebergcr, Paymaster Ray
nnd Chief Engineer Howell of the battle
ship. There was a recess ordered at noon, |
and it lusted until 1:30 o’clock. Several |
I witnesses, whose names are not now <>b- •
tainable, were examined during the after- i
noon.
Another visit was made to the wreck ty ‘
I Capt. Sampson, president of the court.
| The captain says he has no Idea of the
length of time the court will remain in
session here. It all depends upon the tes
timony, and new features requiring fur
ther investigation may develop at any
| time.
Capt. Sampson added that, sooner or
later, every survivor of the Maine will be
I examined by the court, which seem® to im
ply that sessions for that purpose w ill
be held at Key West.
Although this Information is meager, it
I Is absolutely all Capt. Hampson would give
to the press.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press sees him twice daily by appointment,
but there U a rigid rule to observe silen'e
until the facts in the case have been de
veloped through the testimony.
MIVE THEORY UAIMIXG GHOtXD,
Correspondent of a Washington Pa
per Gr<>n» Sensational.
Havana. Feb. 23.—Mr. Pepper, the cor re.
spondent of the Washington Star, to-day
sent his paper the following:
••Inquiry into the Maine disaster pro
gresses along definite lines. The results
«>o far may b< summed up in the statement
that the probabilities that it was an acci
dent seem to decrease with the progress
of the investigation.
“The most intense anxiety is shown by
the Spanish officials here, who are in con
stant communication with Madrid. They
realise that relations with the United
States were never so much in danger of
rupture aa now. This is the general feel
ing. The commercial classes here are
ho]*ful of ‘American intervention on
peaceful lines.* but what they base their
hopes on is unknown.
“The insurgent* continue to win minor
military engagements; the autonomists
are rvstlerif.
“Army officers continue to show anti-
American sentiment. They are apparent
ly the only class that does not look for an
early trial*. Pepper.*’
SAVANNAH. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 24, 189?.
BOILERS MAY NOT HAVE BURST.
STEAM UP IX OXDY TWO AT THE
TIME OF THE DISASTER.
These Two Located in the Aft Boiler
Space—They Could Not Have
Wrecked the Forward Fart of the
Ship and Left the Aft Part Un
harmed—Xo Interview Given Out
by Any of the Divers Working at
the Wreck.
Washington, Feb. 23.—The arrival of a
mail in Washington from Key West this
afternoon brought several private letters
from naval officers lately attached to the
Maine, which caused excitement to run
over the departments and the capitol, for
there were all sqrts of rumors as to the
contents of these letters, very few of
which rumors, in point of fact, had any
sound basis.
The only feature, so far as could be dis
covered, of real importance as throwing
any light on the cause of the explosion
contained in the letters was the statement
that the two aft boilers in the aft boiler
space were all of the eight boilers of the
Maine that were under steam at the time
cf the explosion. This fact had a negative
value, for it disposed at once of the theory
that an exploding boiler had caused the
wreck. The experts all said that by no
possibility could the aft boilers after the
explosion have wrecked the fore part of
the Maine and left the aft part unharmed.
Much interest Is shown in a, dispatch re
ceived shortly before 3 o’clock from Ad
miral Sicard, giving the recommendations
of Capt. Sampson of the court of inquiry
as to the raising of the wreck. The view
of the naval officers was that Capt. Samp
son, and his associates were giving tnis
advice, not as a court, but as officers In a
position to speak as to the best methods to
be adopted for wrecking the Maine.
Various interpretations were put on the
expression “forward half completely de
stroyed.” This was regarded as a partial
confirmation of the theory that the for
ward magazine had exploded, as that is
one of the most important portions of the
forward half of the ship. At the same
time it was held by some naval authori
ties that the destruction of the forward
half of the ship did not necessarily mean
that the forward magazine had exploded,
as this might still be intact, although a
part of the general wreckage. As to the
forward part of the vessel, there was not
very much talk.
contract be made with the best
wreaking company to remove ma
terial and lift the ship without
delay, was in line with the action already
taken in closing a contract with the two
em s iij il>.
contract contains a clause binding l£<? t
wreckers to use their iltmost efforts to
expedite the work, the department feeling
that everything has been done to carry out
the view’s expressed by Capt. Sampson.
Evidently the president of the court of
Inquiry is fearfill of the effect on the pub
lic of alleged attempts to account for the
destruction of the Maine, for this after
noon he telegraphed Secretary Long,
doubtless having in certain publi
cations of the morning, as follows:
“Havana, Feb. 23.—The reported inter
view's with divers untrue. Extra precau
tion has been taken. Officers always
present."
This brief statement disposes of any al
legation that has been made pro and con
as to the blowing up cf the magazines.
A formal order was made out this aft
ernoon for Lieutenant Commander Wain
wright to take station at Havana and look
after the government's interests while the
work of wrecking the Maine progresses.
The big double-turneted monitor Terror
remains in Hampton Roads until further
orders.
WRECK HARD TO EXPLORE.
Condition of the 10-Inch Magazine
May Xow Be Known,
Havana, Feb. 23.—The tug Right Arm,
belonging to the Merritt-Chapman Wreck
ing Company, with additional divers and
apparatus, arrived here this morning.
The Right Arm is moored about 250
yards from the poop of the Maine. The
wrecking tug looks powerful enough to
move a mountain, yet it is reported that
she is not supplied, owing to her hurried
departure for this work, with all the appli
ances which she needs for the work that
is before her.
A strong wind to-day made the harbor
rough and added to the difficulties of the
divers as the electric lights are worked
from a battery on board the lighthouse
tender Mangrove, 200 yards distant.
Capt. Slgsbee is pained by the com
ments on his conduct while the Maine was
afloat, made by tome of the papers here,
but it is pointed out such papers are not
of the better class.
The captain has been so universally
courteous, and is apimrently so popular
with all, It is surprising that any of the
papers of Havana should seek to do him
Injustice.
The wounded are doing well. The Oli
vette may take two bodies to the United
States this afternoon. The identity of the
bodies is not known at present.
It is reported that five bodies, probably
of firemen, were found under the hatch
leading to the fireroom to-day.
Those engaged in examining the wreck
of the battleship hope to-day to settle the
question definitely as to whether the ten
inch magasine on the starboard side was
blown up forward.
It is suggested that the public should
bear In mind that a warship Is not easy
to get about in. even when afloat, and the
difficulties are therefore much greater
when such a ship is wrecked and under
water. Thia accounts for the slowness of
the result* of the divers’ work.
Mis* Clara Barton, president of the Red
Cross Society in the United States, is ac
tively engaged in the relief work and sys
tem now prevails where lack of It was for
merly noted.
The survivors here of the Maine received
to-day their first mail advices from home
since the warship was destroyed, and
every one *’ hastening to prepare mall for
the steamer sailing at 1 o’clock this af
ternoon.
•Up to last night 153 bodies of the crew
of the battleship had been buried, all of
them with religious services.
The bodies of the missing officers, Lieut.
Jenkins and Engineer Merritt, have neg
been discovered. The divers reached the
former’s room, but it was found that his
body was not there. Thus far the sharks
have given no trouble, but the vultures
have left scarcely anything but the skel
etons of three men, who were entangled
in debris very near the surface of the wa
ter. The bodies were not noticed by any
one until the foul birds had completed
their ghastly work. From the hand of
one Chaplain Chadwick removed a deeply
chased gold ring for purposes of identifi
cation.
Senor Jose Poo, the lawyer who was
wounded on Sunday by the explosion of a
bomb at the Irijoa theater while a mas
querade ball was in progress, died yester
day. The others who were wounded at the
same time are progressing favorably to
wards recovery.
Gen. Serrano Altimira, Governor of Fort
Cabanas, died yesterday and was buried
to-day.
Gen. of the insurgent army to-day
had a conference with Capt. Gen. Blanco.
NOT ADVISED TO QUIT HAVANA.
No Truth in Story Thnt Lee Has
Urged Americans to Depart.
Washington, Feb. 23.—Assistant Secre
tary Day denounced an interview attrib
uted to him, in which he was reported to
have said that the Americans in Havana
were in great danger, and that Gen. Lee
was quite right if he had advised them to
leave the city. W,bave not any intima
tion that Gen. Lee has given the Ameri
cans in Havana any such advice,” said Mr.
Day, “and I have not discussed the mat
ter with any one;”
GEN. MERRITT COMING SOUTH.
Defenses. Along the Coast to Be In
spected by the General.
New York, Feb. 23.—Major General Mer
ritt, commander of the .department of the
East, leaves to-day for inspection of the
defenses on the Atlantic coast south of
New York. His route is understood to in
clude Atlanta, New Orleans, Mobile, Pen
sacola and Savannah. Those cities’being
visited in the order named. Through one
of his aides the general announced that
his trip was the regular annual inspection.
Salvage Resolution Signed.
Washington, Feb. 23.—The President to
day signed the resolution of Congress ap
propriating 3200,000 (or the work neces
sary to the recovery of the remains of i he
men and property from the w’reck of the
Maine.
SHOOTING FOLLOWS SUICIDE.
Wife’s Death Leads to Mortal Com
bat Between Two Men,
Little Rock, Ark., Feb* 23,—A
wwm A— J
p rt i 'clpai.?'
■ell, a physician of some prominence, and .
William K. Elliott, proprietor o/ the yard
in w’hich the shooting occurred. The trag-’
edy grew.out of family affairs, in which
Mrs. Hartzell was involved, and whijh, it
is alleged, led to that lady’s suicide,which
occurred about a month ago.
Dr. Hartzell fired three shots at Elliott,
when only live feet away. Two of the
bullets took effect, one in the abdomen
and one in the chest.
Elliott sprang upon Hartzell, and,
wresting the revolver from him, turned it
upon Hartzell and fired two shots, one of
them striking Hartzell in the cheek.. •
Physicians pronounce both men mortally
wounded, and is hourly expect
ed.
According to the statement of witnesses,
Elliott made Improper advances to Mrs.
Hartzell during the doctor's absence Rome
time ago, and a tragedy was narrowly
averted at that time.
The Hartzells finally separated, and later
Mrs. Hartzell committed suicide on ac
count of her trouble.
DOUBLY FATAL DUEL.
Brothers-!n-Law Fight With Ptatols
In Kentneky.
Campbellsville, Ky., Feb. 23.—One dead
and the other dying is the result of a des
perate duel between Robert Shipp and
Lloyd Horton, brothers-ln-law, in Taylor
county, npar this place, to-day.
The duel grew out of a sued of long
standing between the men, and for sensa
tional features has not been equalled in
this section.
This afternoon Shipp was passing Hor-
I ton’s house. Horton was standing outside
and Shipp made some remark to him. Hor
ton told him he wanted nothing to do with
him and to get away from him. where
upon Shipp drew his pistol and fired, the
ball entering just to the right of Hor
ton's navel.
Horton then drew his pistol and fired.
Shipp fell, and instantly expired, but Hor
ton continued to fire until the contents# of
[ his revolver were emptied into Shipp's
| body.
Horton called his wife to assist him Into
i the house, saying that he was killed. At 9
o'clock he was dying. Both leave large
families.
——» ♦ ■
VALEXTIXE LEADS TO Ml RDER.
I Brothers Kill a Man for Sending It
to Their Sister.
Dallas, Tex., Feb. 23.—Near Reagan, in
I Ellas county yesterday evening, Jesse
■ Kelly shot and killed H. N. and L. B. De
! wait, brothers. Kelly then rode to Martin.
; the county seat, surrendered to the sheriff
’ and wo shocked up.
The tragedy, it i= said, was the result of
! an offensive valentine received by a sister
of the Dewali boys, and which they ac
( cueed Kelly of having sent, although be is
married.
NICAHAGI A BELLICOSE.
Costa Rica Ailosvctl .Rebels to Cross
! Her Frontier.
‘ Colon, Colombia, Feb. 23.—Advices from
1 ’ Port Limon to-day announce that war is
imminent between Coeta Rica and Nica
ragua.
’ I This grows out of the fact that Costa
t I Rica allowed Nicaraguan rebels to cross
| the frontier.
t | The Nicaraguan government baa since
s driven them back into Costa Rica.
SICARD TOO ILL TO GO TO SEA.
CAPT. TAYLOR WOULD COMMAND IF
SQUADRON SAILED.
The Admiral to Direct Matters From
His Hotel at Key West as Long as
the Ships Remain in That Harbor.
Vessels That Have Been Off on
Side Trips Returning to Key West.
No New Developments at the Span
ish Legation.
Washington, Feb. 23.—The noon mail
brought to Secretary Long a letter from
Admiral 'Sicard at Key West. The Ad
miral wrote he has not yet recovered his
health and would be unable to go to sea
with the squadron. He will remain on
shore at his hotel in Key West and re
tain command of the squadron from that
place so long as it remains in harbor
there, relinquishing it only when it be
comes necessary for the vessels to go to
sea as a squadron.
It will be remembered the Admiral had
suffered an attack of malarial fever and
had secured leave of absence of two weeks
from the department just before the ex
plosion of the Maine. He got as far as
Tampa, but returned immediately to his
command, which for only a day he had
left in the hands of Capt. Sampson. Should
the squadron be obliged to go to sea with
the Admiral ill at Key West and the senior
officer of the fleet, Capt. Sampson, en
gaged in the investigation at Havana,
probably the command of the squadron
would devolve upon Capt. Taylor, now
commanding the battleship Massachusetts
and uommonly regarded as one of the
brightest and brainiest officers in the nav
al service.
Simultaneously with the departure of
the Texas and Nashville from Galveston
for Key West, the Marblehead has left
New Orleans and the Detroit will leave
Mobile for Key West. These movements
are a part of the orders issued early this
month before the Maine disaster.
The Montgomery is also due at Kev
West, having left San Domingo for Key
West on the 16th. The result will be to
bring together again the large number of
vessels under Admiral Sicard at Key
u est, and the immediate vicinity. These
T be ,. th ° New York > now at Tortugas,
Massachusetts, Texas, lowa, .
Marblehead, Detroit, Nashville, Montgom
ery, Ericcson and Cushing.
The torpedo boats Porter and Dupont are
at Mobile, and are not expect- ■
ed to be ready to go to Key West for sev- ,
ta al th da w Th r e Brookl y n ls also cruising
iron, L ™ aL _? r JL senl ., en r °uie
; nomas to Vera Cruz.
Ing made by the Spanish authorities at
Havana investigating the occurrence. When
the Spanish inquiry is completed it doubt
less will be sent to Madrid and it is not
likely to reach the Spanish' officers here.
Mr. Du(k>sc continued to speak of the
satisfactory relations which exist between
the American and Spanish authorities at
Havana concerning the work on the wreck
and the investigation of its cause.
It is not known here how far the Ameri
can court will avail itself of the evidence
of the Spanish officers, or whether the
Spanish inquiry will include the evidence
of the American officers, but at the lega
tion it is said all the indications reaching
the officials here is that there will be such
co-operation as will be helpful to the two
branches of inquiry, and as the courts
may desire.
Mr. Dubose has received no word in re
gard to the reported capture of the Daunt
less with a filibustering expedition which
is said to have gotten away from a point
between Maimi and Palm Beach, Fla., re
cently. A capture of this importance would
be speedily reported to the Spanish au
thorities here and in the absence of ad
vices little credit is given to the report.
Capt. Sobral did not come to the Span
ish legation last night as had been stated.
He has been expected for several days,
however, and probably will be here to-day,
although his visit is said to be without
significance, as the Incident with which his
name was recently connected is considered
closed.
DEPARTURE OF THE MARBLEHEAD
An Immense Crowd Ont at New Or
leans to Bid Her Good-by,
New Orleans, Feb. 23.—Tho United
States cruiser Marblehead weighed anchor
at 10:15 o’clock to-day and sailed for Key
West, where she will join the north Atlan
tic squadron at Dry Tortugas. The Marble
head took aboard here a small quantity of
coal.
An immense crowd assembled on the
river front as the Marblehead pulled up
her mudhooks and steamed half a mile up
the river before returning. The vessel sped
rapidly down the river past the French
and Austrian warships, hundreds waved
handkerchiefs in farewell, all the vessels
in the harbor tooted their whistles, cannon
were fired from shore, and the foreign
ships dipped their flags.
The departure of the ship was without
incident and created no stri among the of
ficers and crew, as it had been semi-of
flcially announced two days ago that the
I Marblehead would leave to-day her only
i business being to do honor to the city at
I carnival time.
RETURN OF THE MONTGOMERY.
The Cruiser Now at Tampa With Or
ders to Go to Key West.
Tampa, Fla., Feb. 23.—The United States
' cruiser Montgomery, Commander Converse,
arrived at Port Tampa at 9 o'clock this
morning and Capt. Crowlnshield, chief of
the bureau of navigation, who was on
board, left at once for Washington, short
ly after Commander Converse notified the
department of the arrival of the vessel. He
received orders to coal at once and leave
as soon as possible for Key West.
While the vessel was coaling the corre
spondent of the Morning News went on
board and talked with the officers. They
said that the vessel left Key West three
weeks ago for Matanzas.Cuba. Capt. Crow
ninshield was on board and the object of
the cruise was to ascertain the most avail
able point for a coaling station from Ma
tanxas. The Montgomery proceeded to
■ Santiago, and the officers say that at both
places they were received with the utmost
courtesy by the Spanish officials and their
citizens generally.
left Santiago the night of the dis
aster on the Maine, but heard nothing of
it until they arrived at San Domingo last
Friday, when the United States consul in
formed Commander Converse that he had
been advised that the Maine had been
blown up in Havana harbor, none of the
officers were disposed to believe the re
port, and they knew nothing of the partic
ulars until they arrived here to-day.
While Commander Converse and the
other officers are not disposed to express
an opinion as to the cause of the disaster,
the men talk freely and express the opin
ion that it was the work of Spaniards. All
of the men are anxious for a fight.
Capt. Crowninshield was the first com
mander of the Maine after she was com
missioned, and was shocked this morning
when he heard the story of the accident
and the large number of men killed. "I
am thoroughly familiar with every detail
of the construction of the Maine," said
he, “but I do not care to express, an opin
ion as to how the accident occured, as
Capt. Slgsbee has declined to express an
I do not believe that any other
officer <Jf the navy will venture one. The
Maine was a fine vessel, and her loss is
a severe blow to the navy, but the loss
of so many brave men is a far greater
blow."
On board the Montgomery are ten men
transferred from the Maine just before
that vessel sailed for Havana, These men
shed tears when they learned the fate of
so many of their former comrades.
The Montgomery will leave for Key
West at 5 o’clock to-morrow afternoon. In
entering the bay of a small port on the
coast of Hayti she ran aground on a sand
bar, but was gotten off without sustain
ing any damage.
• TERROR STILL AT NORFOLK.
Change in Vizcaya’s Plans Believed
to Be tlie Reason.
Norfolk, Va., Feb. 23.—Although report
ed ready for sea at noon to-day, the mon
itor error Is still lying at the dock await
ing orders. She wilt not leave to-night,
possibly nbt for some days.
It is believed the change in the Viz
caya s p.ans has resulted in a chance of
those of the Terror.
The torpedo boat Winslow will be ready
for sea by Monday, and the Foote in a
week.
NVARSHrt»S LEAVE GALVESTON.
The Texas and the Nashville Off for
Key West.
Galveston, Tex., Feb. 23.-The battleship
Texas and gunboat Nashville sailed from
Galveston this afternoon. The Texas goes
to rojoin Admiral Sicard’s fleet* and the
N -jfb rm “ to Key West for AV-lers.
i.o 'idvenTs<3~htht•
The Mg ten-inch gun, the first of the
ordnance of the Galveston fortificalions, is
coming through the state to-day, and will
reach Galveston to-night.
WARSHIPS ON THE SLOPE.
Six Vessels Now at the Mare Island
Navy Yard.
Vallejo, Cal,, Feb. 23.—There are now at
the Mare Island navy yards the Charles
ton, Yorktown, Philadelphia, Pensacola,
Hartford and Adams. A number of me
chanics who have been at Port Orchard
have returned and will assist in rushing
to completion repairs to the various ships
at the yards.
Detroit Sails for Key. West.
Mobile, Ala., Feb. 23.—’the United States
cruiser Detroit left here for Key West to
day.
Pushing; Work at Baltimore.
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 23.—Work on a
number of government vessels Is being
completed at the Columbian Iron Works,
where a force of 500 to 600 men is kept
busy.
NEGRO BURGLAR LYNCHED.
Other-Lynchina;s Expected to Follow
His Confession.
Mayfield, Ky., Feb. 23.—A mob of about
300 or 400 citizens of Mayfield and Graves
county gathered from different points in
the outskirts of the city to-night, and
dragged Richard Allen (colored) out of jail
and carried him to the court Yard, and
swung him to a tree next to the one on
which Jim Stone was hanged a little over
a year ago.
Allen is the negro who broke into James
A. Wright's house last Saturday night,
and pointing a pistol into Mr. Wright’s
face, demanded his money. He was ar
rested Sunday morning, and was identified
a few hours later.
Allen, after being swung' up two or three
times, finally acknowk that he be
longed to a gang ofZ ves composed of
himself, Tom Holn. Hbarve Rice, Bob
Grundy and three others, whose names
could not be learned. He said they were
responsible for all the crimes committed
here, t nd told who had most of the arti
cles stolen from the people here. The mob
determined to deal summary justice to the
other members of the gang, and it l«
thought that the others will be dealt witfc
in the same manner.
Allen claims that he was given SSO not to
tell anything about the matter.
The mob was one of the most orderly
ones that has ever been formed in this
town, not a shot being fired dtfring the en
tire transactions.
. The citizens of the town greatly deplore
the act, but it seems to be the only remedy
by which to stop the burglaries. The latest
report is that they have gone after the
other negroes.
CUBAN FLURRY AND COTTON.
Agents of a Philadelphia. Firm Or
dered to Stop Buying.
Houston, Tex., Feb. 23.—1 t is reported
from Brenham that the agents of McFad
den Bros, of Philadelphia, one of the
■world's largest cotton firms, had been
Instructed to stop buying cotton. The
same notification is said to have been sent
to all their hundred or more agents in
Texas. Inquiries are said to have brought
the answer that it was because of the Cu
. ban complication. This has caused a con
siderable flurry among local cotton raen .
4 DAILY, 110 A YEAR. • z»
< 5 CENTS A COPY. t NO 16
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK 51 A YEAR J X *
FORT M’PHERSON’S FIGHTERS.
STORY OF AN ORDER TO GO TO KEY
WEST UNTRUE.
Col. Cook Says His Regiment Is Al.
ways Ready for Marching Orders,
But That War Will Not Be Declar
ed Prior to the Board of Inquiry'*
Report—Three Large Armies Aec.
essary to Prevent Invasion-Ca
paxslty of Georgia Railroads to|
Move Troops to the Coast.
Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 23.-A report wag
current here this morning that two com
panies at Fort McPherson were being held
in readiness to leave at a moment’s notice
for Key West, to take part in the impend
ing brush with Spain.
Col. Cook, when asked about this rumor,
stated it was not true, and added
that he had received no orders which
would indicate that preparations were
ing made for war.
“The entire regiment,” he said, “is ready?
to go, if it should be ordered out. That
is our business, and we have to keep ready
all the time.”
As yet there has been no official commu
nication from Havana upon which war
could be based, and war will not be declar
ed until a report is made by the boa?d”of
inquiry.
“I cannot believe that the battleship
Maine was blown up by the authorities of
the Spanish government, if it resulted from
the explosion of a mine or from a torpedo,
I think it mus| have been the work ol
some fanatic. Ido not think that Spain
could for a moment have contemplated so
horrible a thing. The result would be to
cause every civilized nation in the world
to turn against her.
If the board finds Spain responsible for
the disaster, the United States will make
out its bill, and say pay it or go to war.,
Speaking of the possibilities of war, Col.,
Cook said: “in case of hostilities, the
fighting would undoubtedly begin on wa
ter. It would, however, be necessary for
the United States to have three large
armies stationed on the coast to prevent
invasion of the country'. One would be re
quired at the North, one on the East and
South, and another on the West. We
would then be prepared to withstand an
attack from any country in the world.”
The war department has on
file at Washington reports from
all the railroads in the Southeast,
giving estimates of the number and the
amount of rcui|ijj<jhf. of war they could
move m a. oj hours, and
Upon wlftanranments
i ■ eii '■
of w
troops AtlajS'.iqt wWlfl b» an impor-
tant base of operations, a supply depot
and a forwarding station for the move
ment of troops.
The situation of Atlanta is peculiarly
favorable for such operations, and when
Geri. Sherman was here some years ago,
he said that in case of war Atlanta would. z
be the most important strategic point in
the Southeast.
The railroad men admit that blanks for
this purpose were sent out from Wash
ington some months ago. The information
was gotten up very carefully by the trans
portation men and their estimates are held
by the war department.
From inquiries hero to-day it appears
that in case of an emergency
by a temporary interruption of
ordinary business, the various
lines could move 100,000 men from
Atlanta to Brunswick, Savannah, Port
Royal or Charleston within twenty-four
hours. They could deliver the same num
ber of men at Tampa, Punta Gorda and
Miami in thirty-six hours. These esti
mates allow twelve hours to get the
trains ready after notice. The Southern
Railway has over 60 per cent, of Its box
cars equipped with air brakes, and other
roads are to some extent equipped in the
same way. There arc three lines to New*
Orleans that could deliver about 75,000
troops in twehty-four hours.
Atlanta is a natural gateway for pro
visions from the west and would be a
great depot for the commissary depart
ment. The amount of that business the
railroads could handle is practically un
limited. There are three routes to Bruns
wick, and as many to Savannah, Charles
ton and Port Royal. It is thought that
trains could be run to any of these places
in eight to ten hours, with twenty cars
each and fifty soldiers in each car. The
trains could lie run twenty minutes aoart,
and in that way could move 3,000 men at/ 1
hour.
The Central of Georgia Railway has 1,100
cars equipped with air brakes, and the
Southern has about 12,000 so equipped. The
Atlanta and 'West Point has 60 per cent,
of its box cars fitted with air brakes and
other roads have smaller proportions.
With these equipments the movement of
troops would be far more easily and safely
made than it was during the civil war,
when there was no such equipment.
DRILLING AT FORT THOMAS.
Fax'll of the Soldiers Supplied With
150 Hounds of Ammunition.
Cincinnati, Feb. 23.—There* has been
much activity at Fort Thomas, in Ken
, tucky, for some days. While all the
troops were under special discipline with
extra drilling, Col. Cochran, the com
, mandant, and other officers refused to bo
interviewed. To-day the troops were sup
, plied with 150 rounds of ammunition each.
Battery B of the Ohio sta'te guard, un
der Capt. Herman, to-day advertised for
; recruits.
RUSHING WORK ON A CRUISER.
1 * i
Minneapolis Ordered Floated at Hi&h
Tide To-day.
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 23.—Imperative
I orders were issued to-day to the, painters
■ working on the cruiser Minneapolis, in the
s dry dock at League Island, that they must
• finish her so she can be floe ted at high
i tide to-morrow. •The force of men has
t been enlarged; they worked until dusk to
i night, and will resume at daylight in the
t morning.
The navy yard was crowded to-day with
. men desiring to enlist, but only a few were
accepted j