Newspaper Page Text
THE MORNING NEWS. )
published 1850. - Incorporated 1888. V
1 J. H. ESTILL, President. )
HAVANA YARNS ALL HUMBUG.
, 0 INKLING OK THE COURT'S BE
LIEF GIVEN OUT.
oo*hll' m I’o* Snell Canntrnetlon on the
HorU of tlie Board mm Salts Their
Imlivlilutil Inclination—lnterest In
Ihr lit plosion Much Less Than a
Axu— Spanish Belief That
gt-nator Proetor I* a Secret Eints
miry of President McKinley Hard
l„ Dispel.
Havana (via Key West, Fla.), Feb. 27.
jl ,a unericans and some Spaniards here
that the investigation into the Maine
has thus far been superficial and
la re of vital results. They claim
ijl, though nearly two weeks
passed, no knowledge has
teen gained as to the conditon
c ; the forward part of the hull, or as to
;her (lie Six or ten-inch ammunition
magazines forward on the starboard side
(i] o.ltd. They insist, moreover, that ex
pvrt divers with enough experience to
mail • drawings of the condition of things
submarine might have been at work a
meek ago and might have settled the ques
tion as to the magazines before this.
Those who hold this view demand that
the forward part of the hull be raised
n;; out further loss of time, and before
it has sunk too deep in forty feet of soft
mud. There are some who go so far as
to charge the United States
government with adopting the
Spanish policy of delay until the dis
usin' shall bo partially forgotten or dis
counted. Many of the Spanish officials are
eaid to entertain the opinion that this is
the ease, and to be very well pleased with
the notion.
On the other hand, however, good judges
6 ay that all criticism in this vein is made
without a knowledge of the facts and
that no one save the members of the
court of inquiry and their superiors are
aiv ire of all the testimony developed, or
of what submarine plans have been mqde.
These judges also urge that there is no
use trying to raise the hull until the
ri .age, or armor, superstructure, en
gi. ~ decks, guns and marts have been
taken out. To do this will take time and
the iparatus for the work can only be
four, in the North. It is said no com
lianv > the world ever took a contract
!n i a work where the blowing up
of < reck by dynamite was prohibited
lest important evidence be destroyed.
>' 1 mr *>,. r.v's* .'derate strongly
"T cate any more‘delay than is abso
lult necessary, while all agree that the
American people are not likely to forget
so readily. Rumors of this, that, or the
other discovery, setting on foot this, that,
or the other theory, are still rife. In most
* uses, when run down, they are easily
proved false.
It is useless to deny that the interest
Ure is much less intense than it was a
' ■ k ago, hut it is ever ready to be kin
ilh'l anew by any established facts.
The court of inquiry is as quiet as the
nitik of Memmon, as dignified and as
rn. Its members are courteous, but
try feel the deep responsibility resting
> n them. To talk indiscreetly might not
oi y cost a commission, no matter how
hiu i (he rank of the holder, but would
surely precipitate trouble either here or
in the United States. They were not ex
< isiw when on shore and they dined with
< "iisul General Lee now and again, but
t :■ wreck was always a prohibited topic.
■ ■ memory did not give a tinge of trag
< Havana’s harbor would appear com
•■"np.aee enough to-day. Sail boats, tugs
su.,l launches ply to and fro all day.
M imr- large and small arrive and de
part, and the bustle of a busy and not
specially picturesque harbor comes and
n " m the usual fashion. In yonder mass
which seems to have writhed in
I". Ins nil that is mortal of more than
eighty brave men.
It 'S generally expected that the court
in it juiry will return here after taking
tesiimony at Key West, and it is likely
\ m efforts will be made by agents during
1 " town's absence to secure other testi
mony.
, i l ' arrival of a battalion of more than
■ r ' - ulnr troops from Barcelona excited
) i >li' interest only for the day. These
run so it is alleged, are the advance
t ilof a division of 11,000 Spanish regu
-1 - cut io take the place of the sick and
' 1 • 1 who have returned to Spain witu
n Ho last few months.
1 1’'- Spaniards know that Senator Froc
toi is , dose friend of President McKin
,lul' despite his disclaimer of a po
-1 mission, they continue to attach
'■ "ruble importance to his visit at this
111 ur". Some think he has been sent
by the President to make a report
" situation, as Mr. Blount was sent
Hawaii by President Cleveland. The
"" uii.-n who arrived yesterday are igno
of American customs and political
' Is, and cannot understand why a
' ( 1 ' 1 minister of-war should come to Fa
' and there are many expressions of
: He that Senator Proctor is not In unt
l!'; instead of civilian dress.
' it preparations are being made to
■ me the cruiser Vizcaya.
e ,h>l ], Ttivera, editor of La Discusione,
Ihe general impression here is
j ' United States court of inquiry
l U' re ady decided that the disaster to
-Maine was the result of an accident.”
grip Is very prevalent in Havana,
ri I , ‘ iy llas been clear and beautiful
lie first day of real rest for Capt.
■ '• e and his officers since the disaster.
f ' t’la'n Chadwick tried to make ar
il ments to send the body of Frederick
'io r north by steamer, but found it Im
•>le owing to the health regulations.
Io ' ,od y found last Friday was identified
, , ' ' I,s that of Jagos, the coppersmith,
"'man. One of the bodies found yes
' is still unidentified, but Chaplain
"i 'k lias a careful description of the
s XJ ing on the arms and ho|gs to find
one who will recognize that.
,‘livers did not work to-day.
! "jy Americans attended church this
J'ing and more were present at a bull
tills afternoon.
i ‘tenant Commander West, Rear Ad
' s ‘ ard's chief of staff, who came on
•uaseotte yesterday, returned on the
ii ' V,SHf, i to Key West. The story that
' ‘ rou ßht important dispatches in cipher
onsul General Lee is untrue. It is
• and liy Gen. Lee himself. Lieutenant
Gnrnander West, it is believed, simply
Übe Jloftting ffeto#.
brought dispatches for the court of in
quiry, authorizing it to go to Key West.
Senator Proctor has been exploring the
city 10-day. He took breakfast with Miss
Clara Barton at her suburban residence
and with other Americans witnessed the
usual noon distribution of relief to the re
concentrados. No arrangements have been
made for calls by Senator Proctor upon
Gen. Blanco and the other Spanish offi
cials, but it is expected he will call in
formally upon several during the week.
Consul Genera! Lee will accompany him.
The report that Capt. Sigsbee and the
officers of the Maine will be examined in
the admiralty court this week is untrue,
as they have not been notified, but the
United States officials believe Spain has
a moral right to make such an examina
tion.
American divers under Capt. Sigsbee's
direction will be at work on the wreck at
the same time as the Spanish divers and
will afford them such help as is consistent
in viewing the condition of the wreckage
under water.
La Lucha severely gritieises the Marquis
d'Estahaban, Mayor of Havana, and the
civil government for not providing suffi
cient food and medicine for the Mazoria
asylum in the suburbs, and other institu
tions of the same character depending
upon the public funds in a large meas
ure. In the former institution 400 persons
have died of starvation since the early
part of January.
Nine thousand dollars in gold has been
appropriated for the expenses of Senor
Manuel Rafael Angelo, the special repre
sentative of Cuba at Washington, in the
negotiations for a commercial treaty.
Gen. Molina had a rough light with the
insurgents under Brig. Gen. Pedro Betan
court in Purgatorio district, Matanzas
province, recently. According to the
Spanish accounts he captured their posi
tions. The insurgents lost four killed, in
cluding Escobar, the chief cavalry sur
geon. The Spanish lost 6ne killed arid
thirteen wounded, among them Lieut.
Jose Lopez.
In the province ol Pinar del Rio, Col.
Balbasa attacked an insurgent camp, de
stroying sixteen huts and killing eight in
surgents. During the attack two dyna
mite bombs were exploded, killing Nicols
Mora Partor and one soldier, and wound
ing eight. The insurgents were numerous
and Col. Balbasa has asked for artillery.
In a fight in the Romero district the in
surgents left two dead on the field, one be
ing Alexandra Lobar, standard bearer of
the late Brig. Gen. Delgado. The Spanish
column had two badly wounded.
Gen. Salcedo has asked for two pieces
of artillery to be sent to Pinar del Rio.
It is reported that the insurgent ieader,
Ducasse, has been wounded in the Man
nina district.
Arrangements are now being made to
provide meeting places for both branches
of the Autonomist Congress.
Mr. Graell, the representative of the Na
tional Investment and Provision Associa
tion of Barcelona, will leave on Wednes
day for New York and Washington. He is
an agent of Senor Moret, the Spanish
minister for the colonies, and his inti
mate friend. He is a man of discretion,
and thoroughly experienced in arranging
commercial treaties, having been mainly
instrumental in preparing the declarations
of the last commercial treaty between
Spain and Germany. Although he affects
to be quite unfamiliar with the present is
sue. he is thoroughly informed. He will
go to New York and Washington not to
assist in arranging the commercial treaty,
but to endeavor to induce the Cuban par
ty in the United States to enter into cer
tain compacts. The exact character of his
proposals is kept a strict secret, but yes
terday he had a two hour's conference
with Senor Giberga, the autonomist who
is suspected at Madrid of secretly treating
with the insurgents in the direction of in
dependence for Cuba.
NAVAL COURT AT KEY WEST.
Member* Will Return to Havana on
Wednesday.
£ey West, Fla., Feb. 27—The light
house tender Mangrove, bearing the mem
bers of the court of inquiry, arrived from
Havana at 7 o’clock this morning.
The court will resume its session in the
United States district court room in the
federal building at 10 o’clock to-morrow
morning, and will probably return to Ha
vana on Wednesday.
The most important witness to be ex
amined here is Lieut. Blandin, the officer
of the deck when the explosion on the
Maine occurred. The testimony of the
other survivors will take only a short
time.
Rear-Admiral Sicard has had frequent
conferences with Capt. Sampson and oth
er members of the court of inquiry at the
hotel. He said to-night: “I think they
ought to get away on Wednesday’. As yet
there is nothing that can be said about
their work."
In reply to a question as to the rumor
ed removal of the warships to Cuba, Ad
miral Sicard said: "The fleet is not mov
ing, and I know nothing about it going
to Cuba.”
He was asked if anything
had happened to justify the
statement that the situation was
more serious to-day than it had been, and
ho replied: “They know at Washington
about that. Just how strained our rela
tions are with Spain I am unable to say.”
The excitement yesterday after the ar
rival of the Cuban filibusters, headed by
Gen Nunez and Capi. John O Brien,
com pie iel y eclipsed all the doings and
sayings of the court of inquiry officer*.
Their quick deparlure prevented very
much being learned as to the expedition,
hut the Cubans here are elated. An ex
pedition has been preparing to get away
from Key West for some time, but k prob
ably will suffer another delay, as the
plot has leaked out through two Spanish
*The survey steamer Bache sailed this
afternoon for Havana to convey the re
mainder of the Maine’s wounded to the
Dry Tortugas. • , .
The four-masted schooner Isaiah Hart
has arrived with coal for the warships.
HUSHING WORK AT LEAGUE ISLAND
Fonr War Ve*el Getting Ready to
(■<> Into t'omnilMMfon.
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 27.-League Isl
and navy yard literally swarmed with vis
itors to-day in consequence of the report
from Washington that the cruisers Co
lumbia and Minneapolis, the double-tur
reted monitor Miantonomah and the ram
Katahdln had been ordered to go into
commission with dispatch. Both cruisers
hive Skeleton crews aboard, while the
monitor has been lying at her dock for
several years and the Katahdln since last
winter.
None of the naval officials at the yard
(Continued on Third Page.)
SAVANNAH, GA., MONDAY. FEBUUAKY 28, 1808.
SPANISH EDITORIALS SPICY.
EL INI PAR Cl AL THINKS SPAIN HAS
BEEN SLOW IN PREPARING.
The United States Represented as In
Much Better Condition for War
Thnn Two Year* Ago While Spain
lias Not Progressed—El Correo
Espnnol Accuses Senor Sngnsta of
Sacrificing Fortitude for Pru
dence.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
Madrid, Feb. 16.—6everal of the Madrid
papers blame the weakness of the Span
ish government in its recent action with
the United States.
El Imparcial says: “We cannot under
stand the surprise with which many'
Spanish polilicalns view the conduct
America has pursued towards Spain, for
it is only the conduct that might be ex
pected from the line of action pursued for
some time by' the Spanish government.”
It then proceeds to quote several pass
ages from its own files for the year 1896, in
which it warned the government to as
sume a firmer attitude. “In those days,"
it’adds, “the United States were not neat
ly so well prepared for a conflict as now,
while we were more or less as we are to
day. In the meanwhile, they have stead
ily progressed while we, who could have
done much, have done but little. What
is strange, inexplicable, deserving pardon
neither from God nor from history, is that
time has been wasted and money squan
dered without endowing the Sjianish na
tion with sufficient resources to inspire
respect and avoid humiliations which may
bring in their train war and disaster.”
El Correo Espanol is even more out
spoken. It says: “Senor Sagasta’s gov
ernment is the very personification of pru
dence, only It has been a prudence in
variably at variance with fortitude. In the
Dupuy de Lome affair, arising from Yan
kee turpitude (vile za), the government
has shown such evidence of cowardice
and flinching as to appear nothing more
than a petty council under the protec
torate of the United States. In fact, the
resignation of our minister was accepted
for merely saying, in his private capacity,
something which affected the individuals
and affairs of the great republic, as
though it were not permitted for diplo
matists to use other language than that
of the chancellories, or to dip their pens
in the ink that was intended for official
dispatches.”
It then gives instances, quoting Donoso
Cortes in Paris, Bismarck in St. Peters
burg, Chateaubriand in London and Tal
leyrand In Vienna. More important than
these, however, it says, was the case of
Queen Victoria's representative to the
United States in 1888, when he “sent to
the press a series of rude and intemper
ate articles.”
"Yet," the Correo remarks, “the heav
ens did not fall, nor was there earth
quakes in the diplomatic world; there was
not even a resignation. But it is not nec
essary to go to the past for precedents.
Consul Lee has written whatever he
pleased to the North American papers,
calumniating Spain, detracting from the
prestige of her authorities, even interfer
ing with our administration of justice, and
yet our government considers his conduct
within the bounds of diplomacy. It is quite
clear that not only do we take blows
patiently, but we actually bare our shoul
ders in order that the perfidious Yankee
may more easily flog them.”
El Globo, on the other hand, takes a
much pleasanter view of Ihe situation. It
severely blames those “who will see noth
ing but darkness and unpleasantness in
the De Dome affair,” but rejoices that
their alarmist efforts have scared no one,
and adding: “The resignation of Mr. de
Lome being accepted before the represen
tative paid his visit to the minister of
state, that incident immediately lost all
importance, as was admitted by the rep
resentative in question himself. Driven to
their last trench, the alarmists have
spread a rumor that Senor Dupuy has
received orders to quit the capital of the
United States. This Is an absurdity which
has not even raised an echo. The resign
ed minister has no further mission to per
form in that country, and with good taste
has decided to remain no longer in Wash
ington than the time necessary to make
his preparations for his Journey home.
This is the usual course, for diplomatists
do not generally remain in a country to
which they have been accredited after the
cessation of their mission.”
All the Spanish newspapers agree that
“no further mention need be made of the
Dupuy de Lome affair, as it has now
practically ceased to exist.”
The papers are much more occupied
with the demonstration at Barcelona in
connection with the torturing of prison
ers at Mont Juich, the fight between an
elephant and a bull, and the Dreyfus case,
than with politics.
As El Pais puts it, “no politics were
discussed, but every one went out to
amuse himself, beginning with the head
of the government. Nevertheless a blank
day may often be the prelude to a great
deal.”
El Imparcial doee permit itself a few
remarks on the supposed attitude of the
United States government in "demanding
further satisfaction from Spain for the De
Lome letter.”
It does not know what view the govern,
ment will take of this demand, but consid
ers its acceptance of De Lome’s resigna
tion a sufficient mark of disapprobation,
and that no further explanations are re
quired in that matter.
El Liberal remarks: "The Spanish gov
ernment, In consideration of the good
friendship It lives in with the United
States, did what it ought to do in ac
cepting the resignation offered by De
Lome. With that ends the incident.”
Several other Madrid papers reproduce
the opinion of the Italian newspaper La
Perserveranza that “the United States
should be satisfied with the resignation
of Dupuy de Lome,” and “that nothing
should result from the unfortunate Inci
dent to trouble the good relations between
the two countries.”
The Cardinal Archbishop of Valladolid
has published a pastoral letter blaming
America for the prolongation of the Cuban
war. His eminence says: ‘The hypocrit
ical friendship of the United Stales fos
ters the rebellion and wastes Spain’s re
sources, in order the better to attack her
when weakened.” Ho exhorts all true
Spaniards to "unite in defending the rights
and honor of the nation.” The letter has
caused widespread comment.
The Correspondencla Milltar, organ of
the army, says: “The prevuiilfig impres
sion Is that war between e,.aln and the
United States will break out iu April.”
A former General of Cuba (presumably
Marshal Martinez Campos), interviewed by
a representative of the Coriespondencia
Milltar, is reported as saying: "I never
entertained a doubt that If the rebellion
was not suppressed before ISBB, war with
the United States would beapme an ac
complished fact. Unhappily, my prophecy
was fulfilled. I have the cons,.lotion of
having done all in my jsower 'to avert it,
and. therefore, I do not regret the blame
which has been heaped upon me. All is
now possible that we should all unite to
meet the danger that threatens the coun
try."
EUROPEAN INTERVENTION IN CUBA.
Sngnsta Expresses Surprise nt III*-
tuock's Suggestion.
Madrid, Feb. 27.—Senor SAgasta, com
menting upon an alleged interview with
Prince Bismarck, in which the latter is
represented as suggesting that the Cuban
trouble should he submitted to the powers
for arbitration, expresses his astonishment
that such an Idea could emanate from
Prince Bismarck, and declared emphati
cally that “nothing but ignorance on the
question could inspire the notion that
Spain would suffer foreign intrusion or
submit to arbitration In iter indisputable
rights of sovereignty."
Nobody, said the Spanish premier, would
dare proposo such an absurdity, and no
Spanish government would listen or dream
of such a thing.
The Imparcial, in an editorial to-day,
blames Spanish weakness in the Allianca,
Vencdito, Competitor and other affairs, as
encouraging the United States in their
“present bellicose attitude.” It counsels
the government to awake to the reality of
a situation which the good sense of the
Spanish people understands and is ready
to meet.
SPAIN WANTS PEACE.
New Minister to Pnsli the Pending
Trcnty Negotiations.
Madrid, Feb. 27.—Senor Polo y
Bernabe, the new Spanish minister
to the United States, has started
for Gibraltar en route to N cvf York. He
is fully empowered to continue the re
ciprocity treaty negotiations. The gov
ernment is anxious to e tcure firm basis
for commercial and political relations
with the United States before May 1 in
case the pacification of Cuba should not
have made progress befoto the rainy sea
son commences.
It is an open secret that both the home
and colonial governments consider the
preservation of friendly lelations with the
United States as no leer important in the
pacification of Cuba Dan the military
operations and the unofficial negotiations
Io induce the insurgent leaders to accept
autonomy.
STARVATION IN SPAIN.
Bread Blots of Hally Occurrence nt
Salamanca.
London, Feb. 28, 3 a. m.—The Madrid
correspondent of the Times "There
is an appalling scarcity of food in many
provinces of Spain. The price of wheat
is unprecedenlly high. Bread riots are
of daily occurrence at Salamanca, and
it is feared that martial law will be pro
claimed.
NO EXCITEMENT AT HAVANA.
Consul General Lee Has Not Advised
Americans to Leave.
Cincinnati, 0., Feb. 27.—A special to the
Commercial-Tribune from Tampa, Fla.,
says: “Capt. Hanlon of the Plant steam
ship Mascotte, which arrived here to-night
from Havana, was granted an audience
yesterday by Consul General Lee and took
breakfast with him at Hotel Ingleterra.
“To him Gen. Lee positively denied the
reports that he had advised Americans to
leave Havana.
“Capt. Hanlon states that the body
guard of Gen. Lee consist of only three
soldiers, and that fewer soldiers were in
evidence on the streets of Havana than
usual, and no excitement among the peo
ple there had been caused by the rumors
of war published in the papers of this
country.
“Gen. Lee admitted to Capt. Hanlon that
both Cubans and Spaniards are intensely
Interested In the result of the Investiga
tion by the board of Inquiry, but, further
than that, all reports of excitement or
threatened demonstration were ground
less."
NEW FAKE EXPLANATION.
■ livers From Shore Said Io Have I’ut
Dynamite on the Maine.
Key West, Feb. 27.—The latest story es
to the way the Maine was blown tip is
contained In a letter forwarded by a se
cret Cuban club in Havana to J. M. Ga
vin, a Cuban insurgent agent here. The
club received it in the ordinary course of
mail. It was written in English, but it
was signed “Maquinista (Machinist).”
After a long preamble, saying that the
writer knew the Maine’s fate was due to
a Spanish plot, the letter goes on to say
that in an old vvarehou.se at Santa Cata
lina, 200 yards from where the Maine v.as
moored, some diving ur<parutu had Isen
hidden, and that from this base two div
ers had worked by night and filled the
torpedo holes of the Maine with dynamite
cartridges, connecting them with wire to
the battery on land, from which the cart
ridges were exploded % According to the
letter, the divers were to have been paid
a large sum. which has not been forth
coming.
The Cubans in Key West say that in
vestigation in Havana has tended to con
firm the statement of the letter, which
will go before the court of Inquiry.
An officer of the Maine whose attention
was called to the story to-day asserted
.positively to this correspondent that the
torpedo holes of the Maine had not been
open during her stay In the harbor.
.Spain Bushing Naval Work.
Ferrol, Spain, Feb. 27.—The work of na
val construction and armament Is being
pushed by the government with the great
est activity at the arsenal and dock yard.
LA CHAMPAGNE IS AT HALIFAX.
THE DISABLED OCEAN LINER TOW
ED INTO PORT.
Had Drifted For Five Days on the
Ranks of Newfoundland Before Be
ing Picked Up—Her Engines llis
nhlcd and Her Screw Shnft natter
ed—Passengers in a Panic After
the Accident—Parted Her Anchor
Chain ami Was Drifting: Helplessly
When Found.
Halifax, N. S., Feb. 27—The three hun
dred and txld passengers on board the
French liner La Champagne will rest
more soundly to-)ughl than they have for
ten days. Since Thursday two weeks ago,
half of which time they have drifted with
anxiety for their personal safety, but to
night they sleep In peace and comfort
safe In the harbor of Halifax, their fears
and cares on account of the danger being
dissipated by the happy knowledge that
they are. no longer at the mercy of the
stormy ocean.
After drifting for five days on the New
foundland banks with her engines disa
bled and the screw shnft battered, Ihe
great Boston-bound freight steamer Ro
man from Liverpool came along, picked
her up and brought her into Halifax with
out further mishap of consequence.
Great was the joy on board the big
French steamer when the cloudy Sunday
morning broke with the shores of Nova
Scotia in sight and the word was passed
that Halifax would be reached before
dark. Fort was reached just in good time.
Three or four hours more would have
found the two steamers still at sea, caught
in a dark and stormy night with thick
snow falling, and they might have been
compelled to turn about and put off
shore to keep clear of the coast until an
other day broke.
The correspondent of the Associated
Fress boarded La Champagne Just as the
anchor was dropped. The saloon present
ed an animated scene, as the passenger
were eager to learn what anxious friends
in New Yo'k had thought of the deten
tion of the steamer. All wished to tell the
story of the experiences adrift in mid
ocean. Now that they were safe in port
they disclaimed any fear, but some of
them could not conceal that they had
come through a trying ordeal.
La Champagne sailed from Havre on
Feb. 12 with fine, clear weather, which
continued for two days. Then the wind
freshened and a gale sprung up, blowing
with moderate force. All went well until
the 17th. The passengers h.td settled
itown. and were passing the time pleas
antly. The ship was steaming fast
against the head seas, when suddenly,
about 4 o'clock, a tremendous crashing
sound was heard in the engine rooms.
In an instant a panic seized the passen
gers and great excitement prevailed in the
saloons and among the occupants of tho
steerage. The ship's passage was stayed
and heavy poundings shook the whole
craft. Capt. Folrol quickly calmed ihe
passengers, and soon after It was discov.
cred that the tail screw shaft had broken.
The wteumer was running at high speed
and the engines flew around like lightning
when the resistance of the screw was re
moved, and before they could be stopped
much damage was done in the engine
room. The wild racing of the big engines
made a great noise and the terrified pas
sengers thought the ship would be smasn
ed to pieces.
Finally the engines slopped their pound
ing after the piston and connecting rods
had snapped. Capt. Poirot announced
that the injury could be repaired, and the
ship would proceed at 1 o'clock next day.
She was put about, but, after further ex
amination, it was found that the damage
was Irreparable. Nothing remained to be
done but anchor.
I,a Champagne was then in latitude 43:28,
longitude 51:23, Just in the track of out
ward bound steamers. Tho passengers
nnd crew were hopeful of being sighted
by some passing steamer, but a thick fog
sprang up, blighting their hopes. The ship
was shrouded In fog, and nothing could be
seen on either side. The steamer kept up
a continual fire of guns and discharge of
rockets, but no answer came to their sig
nals, and on Friday the captain dispatched
a boat containing eight men and the third
officer, either to make land or sight a
passing steamer.
That night a fierce gale rose, and heavy
seas dashed against the big steamer on
the bitnks. The anchor chains strained
and swung, and the ship was tossed about
like a feather. After midnight the gale in
creased in fury, and at 4 o'clock Saturday
morning the anchor hawser parted wltn
a snap, and the ship drifted southward.
The situation was critical in the extreme.
The passenger* were terrified at the
thought of their helpless condition adrift
on a disabled steamer in mid-ocean. The
current drove them southward at the rate
of fifty miles dally, veering again to the
southwest. All the while the steamer kept
showing her signals of distress, but in
vain. •
La Champagne drifted In this condition
from Saturday morning, Feb. 19, until
Wednesday, Feb. 23.
All through the long day the ship stead
ily drifted and into the night, until the
passengers who had bravely withstood
the experience had almost abandoned
hope. Most of them had retired to their
state rooms, when near midnight the wel.
come cry, “Pall Ahoy,” was heard. It re
echoed from lookout to cabin and steer
age, and every soul on that big ship re
joiced.
Two steamers were sighted .ten miles
away, one directly before La Champugne
and tiie other on the port bow. La
pagne's gun boomed forth nnd her rockets
Hared up and her red fire burned luridly.
The steamer in front gave answering
signals and bore down rapidly niton La
Champagne. She proved to be the War
ren liner Roman, bound from Liverpool
to Boston.
The Roman stood by La Champagne,
and at once Capt. Folrot went aboard and
made arrangements with Capt. Roberts
to low him to the nearest port—Halifax.
The Roman pased a steel cable to La
Champagne at noon Thursday and the two
steamers started for this port.
The first day the towing hawsers parted
three times, but little delay resulted, and
a start was finally made at 1 o'clock.
La Champagne was picked up In latitude
46:28, longitude 51:33, and from that point
onward no trouble was experienced.
The weather was fine until to-day, when
a snow Hurry started and the steamers
had to proceed slowly.
A subscription was made up on board
for the men who so bravely manned the
lifeboat and left in search of help, and
5,000 francs was quickly realized.
When La Champagne was entering Ha'-
Ifax hurbor an address signed by all the
passengers was presented to Oapt. I'oirot,
to which he made a suitable and modest
reply. So thankful were some of the pas
sengers to be In port that several of them
were anxious to have some of the clergy
men on hoard hold a service of thanksgiv
ing.
The accident to La Champagne Is a most
serious one and will necessitate the ship
going into dry dock.
l.a Champagne's malls consisting of 250
bags, >vere landed here to-night and giv
en In charge of the postofllce authorities,
and they, with the saloon passengers, will
he forwarded to New York, leaving here
at 8 o'clock to-morrow morning.
WILLIAM M. SIMIISHLY IMS AD.
Heart Disease drought on by Exces
sive SuioUing tlie t'llllse,
Philadelphia, l’n.. Feb. 27.—William M.
Slngerly died suddenly at his residence
tn Locust street this afternoon, uged 68
years. Heart dlseuae was the Immediate
cause of death.
IMr. Slngerly had lx'on suffering for
about ten days from a cold and had re
mained at home since last Wednesday, al
though his indisposition was In no way
serious.
While silling in his bedroom smoking a
cigar he was seized with a violent fit of
coughing and Immediately afterwards fell
over dead.
The physicians say they had frequently
cautioned Mr. Slngerly that his henrt was
weak as a result of excessive smoking,
and of late his custom was to take a "dry
smoke.”
To-day, however, his cigar was lighted
and it is thought that the smoke brought
on the coughing spell, the severity of
which ruptured a vessel of the heart.
William M. Slngerly was proprietor of
the Record Publishing Company and pres
ident of the Chestnut Street National
Hank and the Chestnut Street Savings
Fund and Trust Company, which recently
collapsed. Ho was a man of affairs mid
held during his long business career many
positions of trust, political and otherwise.
Mr. Singerly was always an active Dem
ocrat. In 1884 ho was unanimously made
the Democratic candidate for Governor of
Pennsylvania and entered with great en
ergy into the canvass, speaking in nearly
every county in the state. In all he made
over seventy speeches in upholding the
cause of Democracy. The national Re
publican majority of Pennsylvania was too
great to bo overcome, however, and his
conqietltor. Gen. Hastings, carried off the
prize. During the last national campaign
he supported the Palmer and Buckner
ticket, making a number of speeches In its
behalf In Pennsylvania, Delaware un<l
Maryland.
Financial misfortune overlook Mr. flln
gerly during the last few months of his
life, when, on Dec. 23 last, the Chestnut
Street National Bnnk and the Chestnut
Street Fund and Trust Company were
compelled to close their doors. Mr. Sin
gerly promptly turned over to tire receiv
ers every personal asset he possessed, In
cluding his interest In the Record.
KALAMAZOO'S FATAL FIDE,
Tlie Nnnihcr of Lives Lost I’rolmhiy
Ant I.ess Than Thirteen,
Kalamazoo, Mich., Feb. 27.—The total
number of known dead as the result of
last night's explosion in the Hall Chemical
Laboratory, is ten. The list follows:
GEORGE HALLIDAY, engine driver,
PAT M'HUGH, pi|‘man.
JOHN HASTINGS, JR., hosemao
CHARLES WHITING, spectat
JAMES QUIGLEY, spectator.
WILLIAM WAGER, fireman. .
L. L. HOLI/OWAY, druggist.
FRANK AIIWEIRS, fireman.
EUGENE DOLE, fireman.
JOSEPH CLIFFORD, telephone line
man.
The following are the most seriously In
jured:
WILL HASTINGS, scalp badly cut and
right foot blown off, necessitating amputa
tion.
JAMES UTTER, driver, both legs
broken.
JOHN M'DKRMOTT, fireman, leg brok
en. (ace badly burned.
ORDWAY KNIGHT, fireman, head bad
ly cut.
GEORGE CHATTBRTON, back broken,
leg injured.
VICTOR VOCE LLB, scalp badly cut,
skull injure*.
FRED STOHRER, back injured.
JOHN M’ALLISTER, fireman, leg
broken.
Six others received lesser Injuries.
Ollier bodies are supopsed to be still In
the building, as two boys, Phillips and
West, and a Michigan Central brake-man
are misting.
TWO POLICEMAN SHOT,
Maniac Who Defused to Leave a
ilourdlnu House Hoes the Work.
Chicago, Feb. 27.—Officer Patrick Fen
lon was killed and Officer Daniel Carey
was fatally shot by Michael Clark, whom
they attempted to arrest to-night.
Clark, who Is n butcher employed at the
stock yards, boarded In Forty-second
street. His landlady noticed that he was
acting strangely and asked him to vacate,
tail he refused and barricaded the doors
of his room.
The police were called and forced an
entrance. As Fenton stepped Into the
room he received a bullet through the
heart. Carey leaped upon the maniac and
tn the struggle received a shot through
the body.
Clark saw his victims fall and Jumped
through the second story window. He ran
to the Parish Church and gave himself
up to the priest, who turned him over to
the police. _
CENTRAL AMERICA'S WAR CLOUD.
Delations llel ween Costa !<|en and
Mt-nragun Still Strained.
Colon, Colombia, Feb. 27.—Despite the
good offices of Guatemala In sending
peace* envoy* to both governments the
strained relation* between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua continue. Telegraphic commu
nication with Cost* Rica is again unecr
, tain.
f DAILY. 110 A YEAR.
J 5 CENTS A COPY.
(WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK II A T*A
STEAMER IN FLAMES AT SEA.
SIX LIVES LOST AND THE VESSEIi
ABANDONED. ,
Spontn neons Conitinstlon In a Carzd
of Fertilizers—The Blaze Aeeom.
punted by a Number of Explosions,
An Ollierr and Senninn Drowned
After Plnyinu. the Hero—Two Othed
Members of tlie Crew Go Adrift tig
n Sumll Hunt—A Fireman Diirned
to llentb nnd tlie Chief Cook Leap*
Overboard.
Boston. Feb. 27.—The British steamed
Legislator, Capt. Tennant, bound froirt
Liverpool for Colon, was burned at sen
Feb. lt> In latitude 31:23 north and longU
tudo 44:10 west.
The fire broke out on Feb. 12 and burned
fiercely for three days, during Which timet
Fireman Thomas Roberts was burned ta
death. Second Officer James Bateman and
Seaman William Angell were drowned byj
(he rapsizing of a boat, Third Officer Mar
tin and Chief Steward John Gaffney wenH
adrift in another boat, and Chief Cool#
Fred E. Lee, crazed with fearful burns.
Jumped overboard. The rest of the creiW
of thirty men, with two passengers. Dr,
William E. Mortimer nnd wife of London,
were resected by the fruit steamer Flower*
gate and brought to this port, arriving
hero t'o-day.
Four of the crew', Chief Engineer John
Troughi ur, Second Engineer John Holden,
Fourth Engineer Miln and Seaman Charlea
I. Blltzen were so severely Injured that
they were taken to the Marine Hospital
upon arriving ut this port. Holden Is no#
ex|iceted to live.
The terrible experience of those who sur
vived the fearful three days which they
were tossed abdut by the waves while ex*
plosion after explosion threatened to send
the onflamed steamer to the bottom makes
a tale seldom equalled in the annals ol
the merchant marine.
The Legislator left Liverpool on Feb. 9
with a miscellaneous cargo, including
phosphate, cotton goods and percussion
caps, for Colon and Central American
l>ortH. Nothing out of the ordinary oc*
curred until 4 o’clock in the morning ol
the 13th, when, without warning, an ex*
plosion took plaee from a hatchway for*
ward of midships, followed by a tremen
dous outburst of smoke and flames. Ail
the firemen and engineers but one came
tumbling on de?-k, some of them more or
less biifned. The missing man was
Thomas Roberts, and it. was not until two
days that his charred body was recov*
ered during a lull In the fire.
The crew were badly handicapped In
fighting the fire, as the hose nnd pumping
engine were disabled or choked. Soon af
ter the fire started It spread so rapidly
(bat the forward part of the boat. In
which were seven meti, was cut off and
Capt. Tennant asked for volunteers to
rescue the remainder of the crew. Second
Officer Bateman and Seaman William
Angell at once otTered to row along the
side of the ship and bring the men aft.
One of the boats was launched with diffi
culty, as there was a henvy sea running
and by careful work managed to reach
the almost doomed men. All were finally
taken on board and the boat dropped
astern, but b< fore the nine men could bo
pulieil on theHfter deck a tremendous sea
capsized the small boat and every man
V/us thrown Into the water. After their
heroic work, officer Bateman and Sea
man Angell were the only ones who were*
not rescued.
Meantime, through some contusion, an
other Irout had been launched, and tn 18
was Third Officer Martin and Chief Stew
ard John Gaffney. Another big sea swepg
them awuy, and they have not been seet#
since. The fighting of the flames still con
tinued, and as the fire reached the boxes
of percussion caps there were almost con*
tjtnnt explosions.
On one of these Fred E. Lee, the chle#
cook, was so severely burned that he Jump*
ed overboard In his delirium, and could
not be saved.
At 8 o'clock on the morning of the lfitrt
the steamer Flowergute, hound to this
port from Palermo. Italy, hove In sight.
Two iKMits were immediately lowered from
the Flowergate, and after three hours dl
of those on board the burning vessel vvera
safely transferred, Capt. Tennant helm*
the last to leave. Some of the crew sav
ed a part of thetr clothing, but a majority;
of those on !>oard lost everything.
The rescue was none too soon for ns
the Flowergate started her engines, tha
lire was seen bursting from the after
decks of the Legislator and the steamer
was probably entirely consumed not many
hours after.
The Legislator was a steamer of 1,890
tons register, 2,997 gross tons. Her dimen
sions were: length, 330 feet, breadth beam
40 feet 1 inch; depth 30 feet 2 Inches. 9ha
was built at Middleborough, England, in
1888, and was owned by the Charanta
Steamship Company of Liverpool, Eng
land.
The dead are: <
Drowned:
Chief Steward JOHN GAFFNEY.
Second Officer JAMES BATEMAN.
Third Officer WILLIAM MARTIN.
Chief Cook ALEXANDER JENKXN3.
Seaman WILLIAM GILL.
Burned to death:
Fireman THOMAS ROBERTS.
Severely burned:
Chief Engineer THOMAS TROUGH
EAR.
Second Engineer JOHN HOLDEN.
Fourth Engineer ROBERT MILN.
Seaman CHARLES IBBSON.
The wounded were taken to th# mating
hospital on their urrtval ut this port.
The fire Is supposed to have been the re
sult of spontaneous combustion in the car
go of phosphate.
LAUNCHING OF THE KENTUCKY, t
Gov. Bradley Wants the State ta*
Celebrate the Event.
Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 27.—Gov. Bradley,
having been officially notified In regard to
the launching of the battleship Kentucky,
has Issued the following proclamation,
which is self-explanatory:
"Having been definitely notified that the
great battleship Kentucky will be launch
ed at Newport News on March 24 next at
10 o’clock a. tin., the people of Kentucky
are now requested to show by thetr pa-
on that occasion that they
are not unmindful of the compliment be
stowed on them and the state.
"William O. Bradley,
"Governor of Kentucky.”