Newspaper Page Text
" TH K MORNING NEWS. ■)
, ..vie’ 1 ISSO. - Incorporated 1838. -
E j. H. ESTILL, President. )
Mm iK
Causa of the Explosion Still
a Secret.
warlike rumors wild.
Havy Dspariment Kept Busy Mak
ing Denials.
SIGSBEE HAD NO SUSPICIONS
Hsvsr Cabled That He Was Sur
rounded by Torpedoes.
Washington, Feb. 18.—The feature of the
day at the navy department was the large
number of rumors of a warlike tendency
that came to the attention of the officials
as requiring attention, and in every case
contradiction. So formidable had grown
the list that at the close of office hours,
Secretary Long was induced to make the
following statement as the easiest man
ner of disposing at one time of all these
stories:
"Really no information has been receiv
ed since Capt. Sigsbee’s first dispatch add
ing anything to our knowledge of the dis
aster. All we know is that the Maine
blew up. There Is abundant room for
speculation of all sorts, but no conclhsion
can be arrived at until an examination has
been made by the divers and more facts
obtained. It is a simple fact to say that
such a thing might happen by design, or
It might happen by accident. As yet
there is no indication of design. There
fore, my impression has been all along,
and I rather think the general impres
sion preponderates in the same direction,
that it must have been accidental.
“At the cabinet meeting to-day the mat
ter was not d ; scussed except as any body
of men talk about an event of that kind,
and most of the talk related to the terri
ble loss of life, and to expressions of sym
pathy for the sufferers.
"It certainly was a very kind though# in
the President to send flowers to the fam
ii ■ s of Capt. Sigsbee, of the executive offi
cer, Wainwright, and of the lost seamen,
whose residences are in Washington.
“You man say absolutely that there has
been no secret cabinet meeting, that noth
ing has taken place in the cabinet that
t.:e have not been informed about,
that the whole policy of this department
has been to give the public all the dis
patch, s, that the department has no more
knowledge on the subject of the cause of
the disaster, or even of the circumstances
attending it, than have the public, and
that the report which was to the effect
that Capt. Sigsbee had warned the de
partment that the Maine was in danger
from submarine mines or torpedoes, is ut
terly without foundation, no such report
ever having been received from him or
from anybody else.”
The secretary also denied briefly and
comprehensively wild rumors that he had
•'■quested the chief of police of New York
t.- guard the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya, and
tin t he had selected constructor Bowles to
go to Havana and raise the Maine.
i o last work of the day for him was to
to -nit the representatives of the wreck
lag companies, who probably will have
charge of this work, and endeavor to ar
r‘ ln Ko for both of them to work together
tu m to secure the use of each peculiai
Plan; and t 0 Eave |i me _
i secretary, when asked what was the
u f iurtment’s estimate of the conduct of
‘I 1 Sigsbee in the terrible situation in
" h he had been placed, replied: "I
' llnk 1 express the feeling of the Presi
,! n ' a? well as my own, when 1 say that
"ii Sigsbee has conducted himself-as
,'■ ub er of our navy should. He was
“e list to leave theship when she went
Hjs dispatch to me that night was
~ uibplete that, since then, I have
• • it of no question of fact to ask him
V ,,' L 1 * K essential to the situation, and
'■ he could answer which Is not cov.
, ''y that dispatch. Its tone, too, Is
, ' a discreet and level-headed man,
' uUized the Impression of any word
an at that time would have on the
' mind. Nothing Is harder than for
. 1 1 otficer to lose his ship, so that i
y ■d'eat sympathy for him. I await
, n °nfldence for further report.”
r the day the department was in
, of a number of telegrams from dlf
j hurts of the country asking in he*
"* relatives of the dead sailors that
‘ remains be brought back to the
((.' 1 States for interment. Among
tu, M <ro queries from friends of the
■p ■'"leers, Lieuts. Merritt and Jenkins,
j. Partment forwarded these to Capt.
J whose answer was that the cf
( iKslles have not been found, that
, n in.v of the others, Identification Is
, rfect, and there is doubt of tbe
' ability of taking any of the re
" away from Havana.
f 1 I” no action has yet been decided
j. ■ upon, the application of ihc
‘’ : h government for authorization to
10 vvreck of the Maine to uscer
cj ” be cause of the explosion, the effl
t|. 1 ' 'em inclined to regard her request
,' that eoiAd not properly be refused,
' Is likely that each government v 111
an investigation of this character
1 ar c fitly.
IVOKIt AT THE AVIIECK.
'"lves to 111-covering Bodies.
' vuna, Feb. 18.—Lieut. Perro Poral,
s' to the Inventor of the submarine
ifofttittfl |tas,
appliance bearing their name; Senor Po
ral, the judge in the case of the Maine, I
and the members of the technical com
mission, have requested the authorization
of Consul General Lee to take depositions
of the officers of the Maine, to appoint a
commission to inspect the wreck of the
Maine, and investigate the cause of the
explosion. Gen H Lee has not yet replied to
the application, and, consequently, the ex
perts have not commenced work.
The divers are only employed In recov
ering bodies of the dead. Up to 9 o'clock
this morning ninety-seven bodies wene re
covered. Eight funeral wagons are em
ployed in carrying the todies from La
Macina to Colon cemetery.
The men searching for bodies have also
recovered a number of sad relics of the
'Maine, including a medical chest, enlist
ment records, a gold watch and chain
marked "P. T. Bartlett, Waltham, 331,134"
and five portraits.
Approach to the Maine is now prohibi
ted inside of ICO metres, excepting in the
case of boats of the United States navy
or boats having a special permit. This
action is taken as a precautionary meas
ure against any accident occurring during
the inspection by the American dtvers and
to prevent any interference with the work
ordered by Capt. Sigsbee.
Neither Gen. Lee nor Capt. Sigsbee has
so far asked permission to inspect the
work in connection with the wreck of the
Maine.
Capt. Gen. Blanco and Bishop Santan
der have visited Consul General Lee.
Gen. Lee is receiving many telegrams
from mayors and other officials expressing
sympathy at the loss of the Maine, and
the foreign consuls have either called per
sonally or have sent written expressions of
their condolences.
Messages of regret have been received
from the Chamber of Commerce, the pres
ident of the colonial government, Dr. Con
gosto, the secretary general, the Governor
of Havana, the mayor of Havana, the
Marquis Estaban, the municipal council,
the Produce Exchange and the Stock Ex
change.
In addition the theaters have suspended
their performances and there will be no
more music in the parks for the present.
Patrick Gaffney, coal passer; Roberts,
fireman, and McManus, marine, are re
ported to have died at the hospital.
The divers yesterday evening picked up
fourteen bodies.
ATTITUDE OF THE PRESIDENT.
Will Assume That the Explosion
Was au Accident.
Washington, Feb. 18.—The only absen
tees at the cabinet meeting to-day were
Secretaries Sherman and Alger.
During the meeting the disaster to the
Maine was the principal topic of discus
sion. Although the President and mem
bers of the cabinet await with interest the
result of the investigation of the disaster,
there remains in their minds no doubt that
it was purely an accident. This view- of
the matter, however, will not influence
the President to stop short of a most
searching investigation into all the facts,
present and remote, that may have an pos
sible bearing upon the case, or throw on
it a single ray of light.
Until facts are shown to the contrary
the President will assume that the explo
sion came from within and teas not the
result of treachery on the part of any one.
The President is receiving a large num
ber of letters congratulating him for the
course he has pursued in this matter, as
well as in the case of the late Spanish
minister, De Lome.
The President announced to the cabinet
that he would send a bouquet of flowers
•to Mrs. Sigsbee, a decision which was ap
proved by the cabinet, and accordingly
Ensign Kittelle, son-in-law of Capt. Sigs
bee, was summoned from the navy de
partment to the White House, and laden
with an Immense bouquet tied with white
satin ribbons. Floral tributes were also
ordered sent to the families of the six
members of the Maine's crew living here,
who met their death in the explosion.
PROBABLY THE MAGAZINE.
Effect of Torpedo Explosions Not
Like That on the Maine,
Washington, Feb. 18.—The opinion of
one of the leading nawal experts in the
United States of high explosives, Prof.
Alger, of the ordnance bureau, as to the
cause of the explosion, is as follows:
“As to the question of the cause of the
Maine's explosion we know that no tor
pedo, such as Is known to modern warfare,
can of itself cause an explosion of the
character of that on board the Maine. We
know of no instance where the explosion
of a torpedo or dynamite under a ship’s
bottom has exploded the magazine within.
It has simply torn a great hole in the side
or bottom, through which water entered,
and in consequence of which the ship sunk.
Magazine explosions, on tne contrary, pro
duce effects exactly similar to the effects
of the explosion on board the Maine, and
to the Maine’s magazine we should natur
ally iook, and not for improbable or for
unusual causes. The most common of
magazine explosions is caused through
(ire in the bunkers. Many of our ships
have been in danger at various times from
this cause, and not long ago a fire in the
Cincinnati's bunkers actually set fire to
fittings, wooden boxes, etc., within the
magazine, and had it not been discovered
nt the time it was, it would doubtless have
resulted in a catastrophe on beard that
ship similar to the one on the Maine.
"I shall again emphasize the fact that
rn torpedo exploded without a ship has
ever produced, or acctiding to our knowl
edge, can it produce, an explosion of a
magazine within.”
SPAIN'S EYE ON THE DIVERS.
Americans May Not Be Allowed o
Go Down Alone.
Madrid, Feb. 18.—The newspapers here
are urging the government to adopt pre
cautions when the American divers arrive,
and not to allow them to descend alone
and examine the Maine, as divers sent by
private persons might be bribed to report
at variance with the actual facts, and
might even do something to the hull which
would serve as a confirmation of their re.
port.
Here it Is thought improbable that Capt.
Gen. Bianco will allow private divers to
descend, or even those sent officially by
the United States government if they are
unaccompanied by Spanish divers.
The newspapers here fear serious trou
ble unless a strict supervision is exercised,
on Fifth Page.)
SAVANNAH, GA„ SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10, 1898.
IHK|I_ lift
Bureau Chiefs Alarmed at Its
Growth.
PUIS THEM IN A PLICHT.
Faulty Construction Would Be
Their Fault.
THE PRESIDENT’S POSITION.
Suspicion That He Takes It to
Allay Excitement.
Washington, Feb. 18.—Consternation pre
vails at the navy department, among the
bureau chiefs, at the growth of sentiment
in support of the accident theory, in con
nection with the destruction of the Maine.
When the news of the disaster first reach
ed the department, last Monday morning,
Secretary Long and all, or nearly all of the
bureau officers were of the opinion that
the explosion was due to Spanish treach
ery. During the morning hours of that day,
that theory was advanced throughout the
department, the strongest and most logical
advocates being Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt and Commodore Hiehborn, chief
of the bureau of construction and repair.
It is the policy of the administration to
consider the terrible calamity an accident,
until proven otherwise, and in consequence
the naval chiefs are beginning to realize
that the responsibility for the dreadful oc
currence may be shifted on to their shoul
ders. Taking their bearings from the views
expressed by the President and Secretary
Long, several of the bureau officers chang
ed their course and are now steering by
the accident compass.
To-day it has Just commenced to dawn
upon some of them what the consequence
may be to them individually, and to the
branch of the service they represent,
should the accident theory to demonstrat
ed. If the investigation shows that the
explosion was accidental, the natural se
quence is that the responsibility must be
located in one or more of the various bu
reaus. Hence the chiefs of the bureaus
concerned are busy to-night trying to
show that the accident could not have re
sulted from any defect in their respective
departments.
Commander O’Neil, chief of the ord
nance bureau, Insists that the accident
mufet have occurred in the engineering or
construction departments.
Chief Engineer Melville is equally cer
tain that the reports thus far received in
dicate clearly that the accident must have
occurred in the magazines, which are un
der the Jurisdiction of the ordnance bu
reau. „.
Commander Bradford of the equipment
bureau, is confident that the accident did
not occur from spontaneous combustion
in the coal bunkers, and he is equally pos
itive thgt the coal used aboard the Maine
was of a superior quality.
In the midst of this petty official jug
glery and the attempt of certain officers
to shift the responsibility onto shoulders
r.ot their own, Chief Constructor Hiehborn
comes out boldly and declares that the
wreck of the Maine is not due to faulty
construction, nor docs he believe that it is
possible for the accident to have occurred
under existing circumstances. He has no
disposition to place the responsibility in
any particular bureau. He insists that
under tho circumstances the Maine went
to Havana fully prepared for the Impor
tant duty to which she was assigned. The
officers and men all realized that their mis
sion was one of the gravest nature, end
he is convinced that every member of the
ship's company, from Capt. Sigsbee down
to the humblest coal passer, was on the
alert to the requirements of the occasion.
He does not believe the fault arose from
bursting of boilers nor spontaneous com
bustion, nor careless handling of the ord
nance stores, but he is unshaken in the
belief that the explosion was probably
caused by treachery.
It is consequence of the desire on the
part of the bureau chiefs to unload the
responsibility outside their respective bu
reaus that caused Senator Mason In the
Senate to-day to question the propriety
of continuing the Investigation of the
Maine to a board of naval cr/ficers. With
this strong feeling of Jealousy existing,
and an anxiety to evade responsibility on
their part, he thinks it not unreasonable
to assume that the investigation may to
less productive of results than is earnest
ly looked for by the people of the civil
ized world. It will not do, some claim,
for naval officers to drag into the pend
ing chamber of horrors, the old family
skeleton (the row between the line and
the staff) and make it a part of the sad
picture.
The whole force of the administration
has been placed back of the accident the
ory, but It Is believed by many that this
is for effect only,and is mean to keep down
the possibility of outbreaks.
For two days an outbreak in Congress
has been carefully avoided. It came to
day. however, in the shape of a most sen
sational episode in the Senate. ton a tor
Mason, whose biting criticism of the ad
ministration has greatly displeased many
of h!s Republican colleagues, started It
with a sensational speech In favor of an
investigation by a committee of Congress.
He charged In this that the people had
lost confidence In one of the branches of
the government.
This brought Senator Wolcott to his feet
in a strong defense of the navy depart
ment, which, aa be construed Senator Ma-
son’s speech, was the one at which the
Illinois senator aimed.
He in turn was followed by Senator
Lodge, who defended Secretary Long and
the navy department.
During this episode there was the great
est excitement, both on tlie floor of the
Senate and in the galleries, which were
crowded to their fullest limit. Every one
felt the intensity of the situation, but it
is characteristic of the spirit of an Amer
ican crowd that there were no outbreaks
either of applause or of criticism. Hut
despite this fact, the situation was one of
great tensity, so great that to relieve it,
Senator Haile, as soon as the speakers
had concluded, moved an executive session,
and the gaileriea were cleared.
Both houses of Congress passed unani
mously the bill suggested, by Secretary
Long appropriating $200,000 for the purpose
of recovering the remains of the officers
and men lost on the Maine, and for saving
as much of the vessel and her equipment
us is possible.
Senator Bacon Introduced in the Senate,
and will doubtless secure its passage in
due time, a resolution providing for a
memorial tablet in memory of the offi
cers and men who lost their lives in the
Maine disaster.
At the White House the President au
thorized a statement of his views, or rath
er of his position, with regard to the cause
of the disaster. This was that he believed
und hopecj that the disaster was the result
of an accident. This statement of course
created no surprise, nor did it throw any
light on the situation.
The cabinet meeting, which was watched
with deep interest, was likewise unproduc
tive of results. The expression of the cabi
net officers were all on the line of those
of the President.
There is a good deal of criticism among
members of Congress and others in official
position, of this hasty endorsement of the
accident theory, especially in view of the
fact that a suspension of Judgment is ask
ed of everybody else. While everybody
realizes that this is given out for the pur
pose of keeping down public excitement,
the result Is thnt the efforts of the ad
ministration are discounting themselves.
Outside of the events here in Washing
ton, three or four developments have at
tracted great attention. These are the
rather unfriendly and suspicious tone of
the Madrid press, especially in the de
mands that Spanish divers be allowed to
examine the wreck of the Maine along
with American divers. The second of the
events much discussed is the visit of the
Spaqish battleship Vizcaya to New York,
and the great precautions which have been
taken to prevent trouble there. The Sec
retary of the Navy has Issued advices to
the authorities of New York that every
precaution should be taken to prevent an
unfriendly outburst toward the Spanish
visitors. The third event, and it is this
that has made the deepest impression, Is
the apparently sincere expressions of sor
row on the part of the people of Havana
and of the direct representatives of the
Spanish government there. While a few
doubting Thomases were inclined to dis
count the first expressions and manifes
tations of sorrow, the cablegrams from
Capt. Sigatoe and Gen. toe have
removed all doubts. There has never
been a moment when the truth of what
ever Gen. Lee has said has been doubted,
and his testimony to the sincerity of Gen.
Blanco and his fellow officers, and of the
Havana populace, has gone a great way
toward tempting the excitement here.
To-night ail is quiet. There Is, how
ever, no abatement in the feeling that the
disaster could not have been the result of
Internal accident. It will require the most
positive proof to the contrary to stem the
tide of popular feeling. No negative proof
will do this. In the meantime, until there
is a report from the investigation of the
wreck, there can be little change in the
present status beyond secret preparations
on the part of the government toward
placing both the navy and the army in the
best possible position to meet an emergen
cy.
SFAIN’S RIGHTS ON THE WRECK.
Bequest Thnt She Be Allowed to Ex
amine It Not Unfair.
Washington, Feb. 18.—The navy depart
ment to-night received the following tele
gram from Capt. Sigsbee at Havana:
“With Gen. Lee and Cowles to-day I
visited Capt. Gen. Blanco and other chiefs
of the civil and military branches of Ihe
government and returned thanks for the
great demonstration of sympathy yester
day, and for their continued care for the
dead, and for other good offices now being
exercised in our behalf. I received addi
tional assurances of sympathy and desire
to' help. The Spanish authorities feel Ihe
situation acutely. 1 have promised to
maintain an official character to all work
done on the wreck of the Maine. No fric
tion anywhere. Sigsbee.”
The reference to the official character
of the work is Interpreted at the navy de
partment to mean that no dlvdrs hired by
newspapers will be allowed to Investigate
the wreck.
As to the published statements that
Spain intends to claim a joint interest in
the work of the court of Inquiry, the de
partment says that under the harbor reg
ulations of any civilized port the local
authorities are bound to make an official
investigation of any wreck occurring in
their Jurisdiction, irrespective of the na
tionality of the vessel or of any Investi
gation by another government in case it
is a craft owned by a foreign power. As
the matter is understood here, this is the
only right Spain claims In the case, and it
ts conctded to be entirely fair. This state
ment of the case was confirmed at the
Spanish legation.
A message was received this afternoon
that the coast survey steamer Bache, with
divers and apparatus aboard, had sailed
from Tampa for Havatt.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.
Army and Navy Journal Believe*
Explosion Accidental.
New York, Feb. 18.—The Army and
Navy Journal will say to-morrow regard
ing the cause of the Maine disaster: "At
the present time of writing, indication*
favor the presumption that the explosion
of the Maine was due to the spontaneous
combustion of coal in the forward bunker,
producing a temperature sufficient to over
heat the intervening bulkheads and thus
effect the explosion of the ammunition
stored in the adjacent magazines.
Whether this Is the correct explanation or
not, It ts significant that It Is immediately
advanced by many prominent naval offi
cer*. Some two years ago the Cincinnati
narrowly escaped a like fate from the
same cause, and similar fires have origi
nated in the bunkers of both the New York
, and Oregon.”
11 lit
First Gun Fired in the Debate
on the Maine.
MADE IT HOT FOR MASON,
Reflection on Navy Depart
ment Resented.
WOLCOTT THE WARRIOR.
Handles Illinois' Senator Without
Gloves.
Washington, Feb. 18.—Soon after the
Senate met to-day, Mr. Hale of Maine
obtained the floor and introduced the fol
lowing Joint resolution:
"That the Secretary of the Navy be, rnd
is hereby authorized to engage the serv
ices of a wrecking eomiatny or companies,
having proper facilities for the prompt and
efficient performance of submarine work,
for the purpose of recovering the remains
of tbe officers and men lost on the bat
tleship Maine, and saving the vessel or
such parts thereof and so much of iter
stores, guns, material, equipment fittings
and appurtenances as may be practica
ble; and for this purpose the sum of $200,-
000, or so much thereof as may be nec
essary, Is hereby appropriated and made
Immediately available.”
The resolution was prepared at the
navy deportment and Introduced at the
request of Secretary Long, who, in for
warding it to Mr. Hale, also sent a letter
explaining its purpose. He says In this
letter: "It was deemed proper and impor
tant that steps should be taken immedi
ately to recover the remains of the officers
and men lost on the occasion of this most
deplorable catastrophe; to raise the ves
sel or to save such parts of her armamept
and equipment as may be practicable.” '
To this the secretary adds; “The meager
information received respecting the nature
and extent of the injury sustained by the
hull of the Maine renders it difficult to
determine at this time whether there is
reason to hope that the vessel herself ntty
be raised; but it seems probable, as she
lies within the protection of a harbor, and
is not wholly submerged, that much valu
able property may to recovered if the
necessary action Is taken without delay.
The vessel, with her stores, guns, mate
rial, equipment, fittings and appurte
nances, cost approximately $5,000,000. As
an illustration as to the value of single
items which may have, escaped serious in
jury, It may to said that the 10-tnch guns,
of which the Maine carried four, were
worth, with their mounts, $13,500 each.
Aside from the melancholy duty resting
upon the government to recover and to
bring to this country for burial, if this
may be done, the bodies of officers and
men who lost their lives in this disaster,
it is believed that much valuable property
may yet be saved from the vessel. In
any event, it is of the most Importance
that whatever is to be done in this mat
ter should be entered upon without del ty.
The sinking of the Maine will to made
the subject of immediate and exhaustive
inquiry, and Congress will be fully advised
of the result of such investigation.”
Mr. Long states that in fixing the sunt
asked for the department is at this time
unable to estimate the necessary exiienses
with any degree of accuracy, but he says
he has conferred with the bureau of con
struction and repair, and that In case of
the appropriation requested, only so much
of it as may be found neoessary will be
expended in the work. The secretary en.
closes a table showing the cost of a num
ber of items of Ihc ordnance outfit of the
vessel, all aggregating $502,152.
Mr. Allen, Pop., of Nebraska, thought
it very desirable that a provision be in
serted in the resolution for the transporta
tion and burial of the remains of thoso
who lost their lives In the disaster.
Mr. Hale called attention to the fact that
reference was made to the transiiortation
of the bodies in the letter from the Secre
tary of the Navy. In many cases, ho
said, it would be impossible to bring to
this country the remains of those killed,
as the bodies were so badly mutilated ood
the facilities for embalming so Inferior In
Havana, that already the remains of many
of the dead were decomposing, and it would
be necessary, probably, to bury them at
once.
Mr. Mason, Rep., of Illinois, hoped that
provision would lx- made for the trans
portation of the bodies to the Untied
States, and for their burial In this coun
try. To that end h.- propose.) M u amend
ment to the resolution, ns follows:
"After the word 'thereof and before the
word 'and' insert the following: Ami for
the transportation and burial of the re
mains of the officers and men so far as
possible."
The amendment was agreed to and the
resolution, as amended, was passes].
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Allen directing the coginilttee on naval
affairs to make an Immediate investigation
of the disaster to the Maine, was then laid
before the Senate. It precipitated the most
spirited debate of the Cuban question.
Mr. Chandler of New Hampshire thought
that if the word “immediate” be stricken
out and the matter be left within the dis
cretion of the oommltlee, there would be
other objection to the resolution.
Mr. Mason proposed an amendment strik
ing out all after the word "resolved” and
to insert the following: "By the Senate
and House of Representatives concurring,
that a Joint committee of five, consisting
of three members of the House of Reprc
(Continued on Sixth Page.), i
PRIVILEGES OF DIVERS.
Only Those Sanctioned by ( apt. Sigs
bee to Go Down,
Havana, Feb. 18.—The Mangrove sails
this evening for Key West with Edward
Mattson, B. R. Wilber, J. C. White, Dan
iel Cronin, John Coffee, J. H. Hlover, Al
fred Hemes, James Rowe, Charles I’iikir,
and William MeGuinness.
Admiral Manterola refuses to allow the
divers sent here by Amerleanfhewspapers
to make an investigation near the werck,
at least until Capt. Sigsbee shall have fin
ished his official investigation.
Capt. ■Sigsbee and Gen. Lee visited Capt.
Gen. Blanco this morning and had a con
ference at which it was deckled that the
American press divers should not be al
lowed to go inside the wreck, though any
diver appointed by Capt. Sigsbee is to have
full liberty of movement. The govern
ment lias wired to Washington requesting
permission for Spanish official divers to
examine the wreck outside and inside.
At 8 o'clock this evening 135 bodies had
been recovered. Among those identified,
whose names have not been already ca
bled. are. those of Carlton Jencks, Flynn
(Michael or Patrick), Francis Phillips, No
ble T. Mudd, Thomas J. Jones, Francis
J. McNlece, Barry (John P. or Lewis L.),
Charles Carran, Putrick Hughes, William
Donoughey, Frank Sutton, Daniel Price,
Henry Gross, Charles F. Just, Daniel J.
Boyle, William J. Horne, Joseph Scully,
James T. League, Trubio Finch, Thomas
J. Harty, Walter Sellers. Charles Franke,
Fisher (Frank or A. Jft.
Alfred J. Holland died at (he mililary
hospital Co-day. There remains at Ihe
San Ambrosio William Mattlson, Francis
D. Cahill, Frederick C. Hotter and James
W. Allen, still in a serious condition, but
tletter than they wore yesterday. George
VV. Koehler, John HelTron and Jeremiah
©hen are somewhat improved. Dr. Haas
does not despair of saving them all.
Havana still mourns with the American
people. Since the funeral ceremonies yes
terday the city hus removed the outward
signs of grief, hut the work of succoring
the living and caring for the dead proceeds
tenderly and unremittingly. Every cate
Is shown the survivors.
Capt. Gen. (Blanco and the officials con
tinue to cd-opemte with Capt. Sigsbee and
Consul General Lee. The messages re
ceived from Spain and the United Ktutos,
showing that the action of the Havana
authorities Is appreciated by the officers,
who are making furl her efforts to amelior
ate the condition of the survivors, have
created a good impression.
There is sincere regret that circum
stances make It Impossible to meet the
wishes of friends who desire that the re
mains of their loved ones shall he sent
home for burial, but in eases where the
officers of Ihe Maine deem it practicable
the necessary facilities will be afforded.
Statements from Madrid and Washing
ton published here to the effect that many
people in the United States believe the ex
plosion was an accident coincide with the
opinion held by the Spanish official*, and
the excitement which followed the disaster
it us ln|o quiet wulling.
PLOT TO BLOW IP THE CON SCI, ATE.
Story Sent Out from Tamp* Which
Sound* I,lke n. Poke.
Tampa, Fla., Feb. 18.—The Havana hor
ror and the suspicions It has aroused
shows up a bitter proclamation secretly
circulated in Havana some time ago of
a plot to blow up Gen. toe and the con
sulate, These circulars were printed at
Havana in Spanish und sent in a package
to Spanish Consul Ourzl then at Key
West, and then sent here to be forward
ed to a certain party In Havana for dis
tribution. He was not here, but had gone
and they wore sent to him nt Havana.
Just at that time Jose Luts Miguel, a
Cuban of Tampa, was in Havana, and
by mistake the postman delivered the
package to him. It soon became known
that he had it and was aware of the
bitter feeling, so he was enticed to a
building on Tacona street one night and
then told he must Join in the plot to blow
up the American consulate. He Indignant
ly refusfd, and was then told that unless
he did they would send him to Fernando
Po, on the coast of Africa. He finally
accepted their terms and became very
active and won their confidence and then
told them it was necessary for him to
make a trip to Tampa to see his family
and he has never had time to go back.
He says that the Spanish General Gon
zales Parado was often at the house on
Tacona street, which was the usual meet
ing place for the conspirators, who had
ideas of bombs. He gave the Associated
Press correspondent a copy of the proc
lamation which, translated literally, reads
as follows:
"Spaniards—The time has arrived when
the patience of the loyal has vanished be
fore the decided protection that the Amer
icans lend to the bands of turbulent for
agers who lay waste our country. Death
to them!
"The moment has arrived to lower ihc
colossal head of the Americans,, and prove
ta them that our unconquerable nation
can reach the doors of the japitol at
Washington, demand reparation for the
grave offenses which they dally Inflict up
on us.
"Expel, yes, expel without delay Consul
General toe, who, with is family, is
nothing more than the miserable secretary
of the bandits.
"Away, away,with the Yankee consulate
protector of criminals of the lowest de
gree!
"Every moment the action of Justice is
impeded by American interference.
"Are we to continue our toleration?
"No, No! a thousand times, No! !
"Consul Gene ral toe, when the stupend
ous explosion comes that will carry con
sternation to the whole city, if you have
strength left,!* would be well for you to hie
yourself to your country and relate what
has happened to you.
"tong life to Spain! tong life to Span
ish Cuba! Death to our enemle*!"
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO SPAIN.
Minister Woodford Return* Thank*
lor It* Sympathy,
Madrid, Feb. 18.—Senor Polo y Bernabe,
the new Spanish minister to the United
States, dined to-day with United State*
Minister Woodford.
Mr. Woodford has addressed a letter to
Senor Guilon, the minister of foreign af
fairs. stating that ha had been charged to
express In the name of the President, the
government, and the people of the United
States their gratitude towards Spalu for
Us expression of sympathy.
f DAILY, $lO A YEAR.
J 6 CENTS A COPY.
I WEEKLY 2-TJMKS-A-WEEK $1 A YJSAM
HIIWSAIB
Enters the Fight tor the
Governorship.
POSES AS FOR THE PEOPLE.
Attacks Railroads and Taxa
tion Exemption.
CANDIDATE FROM COLUMBUS
Garrard Likely to Shy His Castor
Into the Ring.
Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 18.—The Gubernatorial
race, which a week ago was no race uC
all. Col. Allen Candler being the sole en
try, Is now a three-cornered contest, nltts
strong indications that before another sunl
has set it will become quadrangular.
This afternoon Hon. Robert L. Berned
of Forsyth came to the city and through!
the columns of the afternoon papers an*
nounced his candidacy, and promulgated
his platform.*
To-morrow Col. L. F. Garrard of *CoU
limbus Is expected to shy his castor tntfl
the ring, und before the month Is out
there may be others.
Judge A. M. Fite of Dalton has been ort
the point of becoming a candidate fort
several days. To-night, however, it was
givtn out by a friend that he had aband
oned the Idea, but North Georgia is being
overhauled for some ono to divide Col.
Candler's strength and if tho man can bet
found he will lie brought Into the arena.
With all these entries and the panoramld
changes that are taking place In the Gu
bernatorial situation Mayor Meldrlm of
Savannah is being turned to by many of
the most astute itolitlcians here in a
speculative way. He la regarded as tha
strongest man South Georgia could offer
iiy Hie sages here, who have not ye* com
mitted themselves to any of the present
aspirants ami when the show down comes.
If he should take a hand in the game, ha
would hold cards to bunk on.
Another of the day's developments was
a movement to bring Speaker Jenkins out
as a candidate for Attorney General. It
is understood that he Is seriously consid
ering tills step. The Candler men want a
candidate to oppose Attorney General Ter
rell so as to tie him down to his own
office and stop his efforts to aid Judge
Atkinson or other candidates. A messen
ger was sent to Speaker Jenkins' home in
Eatonton to-day, It is understood, to con.
fer with him ntout the Attorney General
ship. iMr. Terrell is regarded ns an "easyi
mark" for a strong candidate on account
of the offense he gave to Gov. Atkirisoifa
frii nds by his letter withdrawing front
ihe Gubernatorial race. With the loss of
tills support ho would certainly have to
hustle to save himself if opposed by an
aggressive man and the Candler forces,
who realize that it is a death grapple with
the Atkinson elements, want to make at
clean sweep.
The rapidity with which political devel
opments have been coming has attracted
the politicians here In droves. Among
those who came in to-day was Mr. du-
Bignon of Savannah. He was one of tha
Col. Candler's callers, the Secretary of
Slate being his favorite, it Is understood.
Senator Phil Cook, candidate for Secre
tary of State, also arrived to-day. Ha
and his friends think they already have
the fight whipped.
Col. Clifton of Darien Is regarded eg
sure to to appointed to fill Col. Candler’s
unexplred term as Secretary of State.
It was reported to-day after Mr. Rer
ner'H announcement appeared that Judga
Atkinson would retire from the race. Tha
report was denied, however.
Another story. in circulation this after
noon was that Oov. Atktnson had said
Judge Atkinson would have to resign from
the railroad commission If he intended se
riously to make tho race.
Judge Atkinson's address to the public!
is expected to be given out for publication
the first of next week. Ills brother, who
Is here, intimated as much to-day.
The announcement of Mr. Berner, who
Is one of the tost known men in the state,
being at present president of the Senate,
was u genuine political surprise. He had
come to be regarded as absolutely out of
it since the Newnan possum supper. Ho
will 1 e the antl-eorporatlon candidate. Ho
attacks the Southern Railway and goes so
fur as to criticise Gov. Atkinson (though
not calling his name) for his failure to inJ'’
stltute proceedings against the Southern's
alleged llligal consolidation of railway
properties. He Is alSo opposed to the ex
emption of manufacturers from taxation
and will combat the movement Inaugurated
by the recent convention held here. Mr.
Berner is an eloquent speaker, full of en
eigy and determination, and with the plat
form he has enunciated, will undoubtedly
Inject some red hot issues Into the cam
paign. The following extracts from his
announcement show upon what Mr. Ber
ner basis his candidacy:
“I have watched for years the growth
of monopoly, and the usurpations of or
ganized capital in this state. I have seen
the constitution violated with Impunity
and without shame. I have seen long
cherished policies despised and set aside as
the folly of our lathers. I have mark
ed the annual expansion of their demands,
which no amount of tribute or submission
seems to satisfy.
"Late events have added to the anxiety
of every citizen who loves the principle of
equal rights, and despises the policy of
special privileges.
“Through these years of falling prices
and pressing debts transportation has
continued to lay its heavy hand alike on
producers and consumers.
"And now, to multiply our burdens, or
ganized capital demands that manufac.
an Sixth Page 4