The San Francisco call. [volume], February 22, 1898, Image 1

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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volume -Lxxxm.- ygf^qfr^.
THE MUTTERINGS OF WAR
ARE GROWING YET LOUDER
IS GOVERNMENT
KEEPING BACK
INFORMATION ?
STATESMEN
ARE GETTING
VERY CURIOUS
Believe That the President
Wants Time to Prepare
for Battle.
■
There Is a General Strengthening
of Coast Fortifications and
the South Atlantic Fleet Is
Hurrying Northward.
Are the administration officials sincere and honest in
the expression of the belief that the Maine's destruction re
sulted from accident, or do they merely assume this con
servative attitude to gain time in which to put the army and
navy upon a war footing ?
This is a question which members of Congress are ask
ing. It is certain that leading Senators and Representatives
in Congress who are members of the Naval and Milrary
Affairs Committe3 have been in private consultation win
the President, and the fact that they are secretive naturally
creates a belief that these conferences were important. It
is known to be an absolute fact that the President requested
the Washington Post and Star to assume a conservative
attitude, so as not to incite jingoes in Congress to radical
action which might precipitate a crisis.
But whether the President and his advisers are really
of the opinion that an accident caused the Maine's destruc
tion, or whether the officials wish to temporize in order to
put the army and navy on a war footing, is a question ex
cited by the unusual activity in army and navy circles.
It is a significant fact that Senator Perkins and Repre
sentative Hilborn, of California, both of whom are members
of the Naval Committee of their respective houses, are
unusually cautious and discreet in their expressions of
opinion. But, however careful they may have been, it is
known by their friends that they regard the situation as
very serious, and both men are at this time deeply engrossed
in the study of naval matters.
I asked Congressman Hilborn to-night if in his opinion
the United States was prepared for war.
" Perhaps not," said he, "but we will be prepared in
short order should the findings of the naval court at Havana
show the Maine's destruction to have been caused by
design."
It is very evident that Mr. Hilborn thinks the Maine
was blown up by a submarine mine, for in casual conversa
tion to-night he said: "The fact may not be generally
known at large, but we have our own harbors planted with
torpedoes and submarine mines. New York harbor is thus
fortified, and so is San Francisco harbor. A diagram is in
the possession of the officers. The entire harbor is checked
off into squares or subdivisions, and each one is numbered
as accurately as the chairs in an opera-house. Lookouts
posted •on "the bluff have such an accurate knowledge of
these harbor subdivisions that they can, by a signal, a flash
to the gunners, show the exact location of a hostile ship,
and the gunners have their range-finders so adjusted that
they can fire a shot and strike any one of these squares.
As tor the torpedoes and submarine mines in San Francisco
harbor, 1 of course do not know where they are located.
Neither does any civilian. These secrets are, for obvious
reasons, jealously guarded by the War Department."
HAVANA, Feb. 21.— The board of at 10 o'clock this morning, with
inquiry into the Maine disaster met Captains Sampson and Chadwick
on the lighthouse tender Mangrove and Lieutenant-Commanders Potter
The San Francisco Call
Call Office, Riggs House,
Washington, Feb. it.
SAN FRANCISCO, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1898.
and Marix present. XJaptain Samp
son presided, and Lieutenant-Com
mander Marix, recently executive of
ficer of the Maine, acted as recorder.
Captain Sigsbee, the commander
of the Maine, was the first witness
called. He was under examination
until 1 o'clock this afternoon, at
which hour an adjournment was
taken. It is probable that no fur
ther witness will be heard to-day,
but the board will make a careful
personal examination of the wreck,
near which the Mangrove is an
chored.
Captain Sampson received a cor
respondent immediately after the
morning session of the board. He
said in the course of an interview:
"I would be glad to give news,
but owing to the delicate situation,
the board has decided to make noth
ing whatever public. Ido not know
what testimony may develop, and
when, and it is only fair to the
Spanish Government not to tell the
public the testimony until all has
been received and the findings have
been considered.
• "You may say that this rule is
absolute. Due care will be taken
for the rigid enforcement of it. I
have no idea as to how long the
court will remain here. No one is
authorized to fix the time, as the
members themselves do not know. I
shall give such routine news of the
proceedings as is proper."
Captain Sigsbee, on board the
Mangrove, told the correspondent
that he was quite pleased with the
examination, and that he was able
to answer all the questions asked,
not only as to his own acts, but as
to those of his subordinates on the
Maine.
Gunner Charles Morgan, of the
cruiser New York, arrived on the
Mangrove and is in immediate
charge of the divers. The latter
have heen at work all day, but up to
the time of sending this dispatch no
discoveries have been made. It is
believed that the salvage by the
wrecking company will be consider
able and valuable.
LATIN REPUBLICS
SHOW FRIENDSHIP.
Deny That They Would Form an
Alliance With Spain against
the United States.
NEW YORK, Feb. 21.— The state
ments that Spain, through her agents
In South and Central America, is en
deavoring to form a Latin alliance
against the United States are denied
in Mexican cable dispatches to the
Herald from the principal cities of the
Southern republics. From Argentina
comes assurances that the Government
would not permit Spain to make over
tures in this direction. Mexico's senti
ments are entirely with the United
States, as against Spain and Chile, it
is said, would not embark in any dan
gerous alliance against the United
States.
President Zelaya of Nicaragua tells
the Herald that his Government sym
pathizes with the United States, and
President Pierola of Peru, extends con
dolences for the Maine disaster.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Feb. 21.— T0
the Editor of the Herald: Domestic
affairs have prevented the Nicaraguan
people from hearing of the recent in
cidents between the United States and
Spain. Owing to that fact, we are
unable to give an opinion thereon. I
can, however, assure the Herald that
in Nicaragua there is a heartfelt sym
pathy for the American people.
I. S. ZELAYA.
President.
LIMA, Peru, Feb. 21.— T0 the Editor
of the Herald: Accept my salutations.
In reply, will say that the Peruvian
Minister in Washington must by this
time have expressed to your Govern
ment the condolence of the people of
Peru and mine for the painful accident
to the Maine. PIEROLA.
Buenos Ayres has never attempted
to influence the policy of Argentina,
nor would any diplomatic effort in
that direction be permitted by the
Government. I am able to say this on
high authority. The officials of Ar
gentina heartily disapprove the act of
Senor De Lome, formerly Minister to
the United States, in criticizing Presi
dent McKinley, and applaud the en
ergy of the American Government in
the matter. The disaster to the Maine
has been widely commented upon, but
public opinion as to the cause has not
taken definite form. The public
anxiously awaits the result of the
Government's investigation.
VALPARAISO. Chile. Feb. 21.— The
assertions that Spanish diplomats in
the South American republics are
working to obtain their support
against the United States took every
one here by surprise, and as far as
Chile is concerned they are absolutely
unfounded. It is true that Chileans,
in spite of their old quarrel with the
mother country, are deeply attached
to Spain, and Spanish residents in
Chile are numerous, but Chilean
statesmen have often proved their
disinclination to embark in dangerous
enterprises, such as an alliance
against the United States, for which
they have sincere friendship. Besides
this, Chile's hands are full now with
the settlement of questions with Peru,
Bolivia and Argentina,. and she has no
time to listen to such propositions
from Spanish representatives,' even if
made, which I most emphatically : say
on the best authority jis . not the • case.
j The news of I the blowing up ; of > ' the
Maine, while from the first not attrib
uted :• here to I foul play Yon I the I part Jof
Spain,*, caused ;• a-imrrfjoji : and r. awak
ened^r.videspread'i-syr^athy.TAfor.^the'
great sister republic, the United States.
Newspapers Jj throughout the 7 republic
greatly deplore the catastrophe and
deeply lament the loss of so many
lives. . ,
DELVING AMONG
THE MAINE'S DEAD.
Divers Encounter a Horrible Sight
Among the Ruins of
the Ship.
NEW YORK. Feb. 21.-The Sun's
Havana cable says: To-day has been
one of the most cloudy days of the sea
son. Besides, the many objects float
ing inside the Maine adder! to the dark
ness and greatly hampered the divers
in their work.
To prevent all this trouble it is an
nounced that to-morrow the divers will
carry a wire and place an electric search
light inside the Maine. The wire will
be connected with the Mangrove, and
the tender's dynamo be used to
throw the light inside the wrecked
battleship. The divers have received
strict orders to refuse to reply to any
question about the cause of the dis
aster or the results of their investiga
tion.
Inside the hull of the ship the divers
found many bodies. About this they
talked freely, saying it was one of the
most horrible spectacles that human
sight could endure, s.n efforts to re
cover these bodies were useless to-day.
so much iron being around them. The
divers will try to-morrow to bring
them up.
The sailor Koehler was dying at 10
o'clock to-night. At a late hour it is
confirmed that the Bache leaves to
morrow with an important communi
cation for Admiral Sicard,
WILL ATTEMPT TO
PREVENT AGITATION.
Leaders of the House Now Think It
Good Policy to Remain Silent.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21. —It was
stated to-day that it will be the policy
of the House leaders to prevent, as far
as possible, any agitation of matters
relating to Cuba or the Maine disaster
in the future. Pending the result of
the official investigation they believe
it is wise and the part of good public
policy, to maintain silence. As Chair
man Hitt, of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee, is confined to his home by a bad
cold, it is probable that no more meet
ings of the committee will be held un
til he returns to his seat in the House.
It is understood that the report of the
State Department to be made in an
swer to the House resolution of in
quiry regarding the situation in Cuba
will not be made for a week or ten
days. It is explained that the work of
preparing the consular reports which
will be transmitted will require consid
erable time. Besides those reports, it is
said, must be scanned by Assistant
Secretary Day in person and the de
mands upon his timi> at present are
very great am] he has little leisure to
give to this work.
ANOR&ERFOR
RAPID-FIRE GUNS.
NEW YORK, Feb. 21.-A Bridgeport
(Conn.) special to the Herald says:
The American Ordnance Company re
ceived an order this afternoon from the
United States Government for forty
spven six-pounder rapid-fire Hotchkisa
guns, which are to be delivered as soon
as possible. The company is making
preparations to turn the pruns out with
all possible speed. An extra force will
be put on them at once. It will take
several months to turn them out. At
no time since the company started has
it been so pressed with orders as now.
due lai-grely to the activity the Govern
ment is making in preparations to
strengthen coast defences.
OFFICERS OF THE MAINE
EXPECTED THEIR SHIP
WOULD BE DESTROYED
One of Them Said to Have Written That the Worst
Would Happen if the Vessel Remained in
the Harbor of Havana After the 15th
of February, the Fatal Day.
"An officer of the Maine in a re- '
cent letter to his wife said, 'If we do {
not get out of here before the 15th ,
of February something serious will (
happen.'" '
This announcement made from the
pulpit of the Church of the Advent by {
the Rev. J. A. Emery Sunday night (
created a profound sensation. <
In almost every city or village of <
the United States, no matter how <
large or small, it is safe to say that J
some reference was made from at
least one pulpit yesterday regarding <
the terrible disaster to the Maine. <
When Mr. Emery entered his pulpit J
Sunday evening and announced his in- ,
tention to dwell upon this topic the (
congregation took it as a matter of •
course. His subject was "Be Thou |
Faithful Unto Death," and as he en- (
tered into it his words were followed (
closely. (
"It may not generally be known," he said,
but it is nevertheless a fact, that when the
ship entered the harbor of Havana her gal
lant crew knew they were risking their lives,
but they never murmured nor sought to
swerve from the path of duty. Yesterday I
was talking to an intimate friend of mine, a
retired naval officer and a man in whose
word I place implicit confidence. In speak
ing of the disaster he mentioned a very dear
friend of his, who was a prominent officer on
the Maine, but whose name I will not men
tion. This officer, in a recent letter to his
wife, spoke in no uncertain terms about the
perilous position of the Maine in Havana har
\ bor, and furthermore stated that he was
positive if the Maine did not leave Havana
■ harbor before the 15th some catastrophe
' would result."
On the evening of the 15th the Maine was
blown out of the water by some unknown
agency, and there in the mud and filth of the
bay with the gnarled and twisted iron lie the
bodies of the brave boys who were "faithful
unto death."
At the close of the sermon the preacher
was surrounded by a number of his congre
gation, among whom were many of the cool
est heads in the city, eager to learn more of
the sensational incident he brought to light,
but beyond reiterating his former statements
he would have nothing to say. Mr. Emery is
not by any means a sensationalist, and the
members of his congregation are satisfied
\ that he would make no statements without
j having fully investigated them and having
[ full confidence in their authenticity.
GOING TO HER DOOM.
The American battleship Maine pass
ing Morro Castle on the way to her
anchorage in Havana harbor, at the
point where her wreck now lies, and
where so many of Uncle Sam's brave
boys in blue sleep beneath the murky
water.
Yesterday afternoon a Call reporter visited
him at the diocesan house on California
street, where he was in company with a
number of prominent Episcopalian clergymen,
and questioned him regarding the story. He
was very reticent, and positively refused to
divulge the name or rank of the author of the
sensational letter.
"The incident I mentioned in my sermon
Sunday evening is perfectly true, and were
I at liberty to mention the name and stand
ing of my informant the doubts in the minds
of a great many people would at once be set
at rest. As it is I feel almost sorry that I
mentioned the incident in my address Sun
day evening, and had I known there was a
reporter in my congregation I would never
have done so, as the story was related to me
casually in conversation and I feel now al
most as though I had betrayed the confidence
of a friend. The letter in question was re
ceived by the officer's wife a few days prior
to the dreadful explosion which sent over two
hundred of our brave boys to an untimely
grave in the bottom of the bay. She at
once wrote to my friend knowing that he, as
REV. J. A. EMERY.
PRICE FIVE CENTS
a military man, could be considered fairly
good authority on such matters, told him that
it had occasioned her a great deal of uneasi
ness and asked his advice in the matter.
"He was not greatly alarmed at first,
thinking perhaps some of the Jack tars who
had tarried a little too long on shore had
been excited by the idle gossip of the Span
ish rabble along the water front and had car
ried the gossip on shipboard, adding a little
to it by way of giving it proper color.
"Whatever his conjectures may have been
he received a rude awakening on the morn
ing of the 16th when he read in an early copy
of The Call the particulars of the dire disas
ter, and the meaning of that terrible 'some
thing will happen on the 15th if we don't get
away from here' dawned upon him in all its
horrible reality.
"There have been some doubts as to who
is responsible for the wreck, but how could
an officer select the day in advance ?
"I read the stories in the papers from day
to day and determined on selecting the dis
aster to the Maine as the topic for my Sun
day evening address, but was in doubt as to