The San Francisco call. [volume], February 23, 1898, Image 1

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

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VOLUME LXXXIII.— NO. So."
PROOF THAT TREACHERY
DESTROYED THE MAINE
THE OFFICIAL
INVESTIGATION
IS PROGRESSING
EXPLOSION
NOT DUE TO
AN ACCIDENT
What Is Shown by the
Work of the Divers
at Havana,
Officials at Washington Continue
to Make Peace Protestations
While Preparations for
War Go Forward.
Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordoa Bennett.
HAVANA, Feb. 22. -La Lucha, in
editorial this afternoon, recommends
that all correspondents of newspa
pers the United States who
send out charges against the au
thorities of Spain be immediately
expelled from Cuba. La Lucha also
states that Captain Sigsbee has no
right to take an active part in the Maine
investigation, adding that in any other
country the first official proceeding
would be to court-martial him.
HAVANA, Feb. 22. — The further inquiry into the
causes that led to the Maine disaster proceeds, the more
remote appear the chances that any evidence will be
discovered to show that the disaster was due to acci
dent. I am able to give you the result of the investiga
tion made this morning by the divers. Those that
penetrated into the forward part of the wreck found that
the whole forward end of the ship from a point just abaft
the forward turret had been twisted fifteen or twenty
degrees to starboard.
That part of the vessel was a wilderness of debris
and curled and twisted plates. The sharp, jagged edges
of some of the plates added danger to the difficulties of
the divers by getting their life lines into a tangle and
fraying the cords, and in one instance almost cutting
through the rubber tube which supplied the diver
with air.
One important discovery made was as
to the position of the corpses found in
the wreck, ioo of which were floating
about the torn compartments. A full
score of these were examined by mv in
formant. All of these were in their
hammocks and all had their arms
curved upward as if they had been
startled by some sudden shock of dan
ger and were in the act of reaching uo
for their hammock hooks to swing
themselves on deck when death came.
This seems to confirm what has already
been said about there having been two
explosions, the first startling the men
into the act of arising from their ham
mocks, the other dashing the fife out of
them while they were in that position.
Before the explosion the ten-inch
magazine was located on the starboard
side, forward, and beneath the forward
turret. What is left of that magazine
seems to have been driven toward the
port bow in a diagonal and upward di
rection.
The six-inch magazine, which had. its
location in the port side of the ship for
ward, was hurled in a direction directly
opposif to that of the ten-inch maga
zine. One of the copper cylindrical
The San Francisco Call
found by the divers in the wreck of that
structure. It contained no powder
charge.
The ten-inch magazine has not been
closely examined at this writing but
such inspection of it as was made leads
my informant to believe the biff pile of
twisted wreckage that lies about the too
of it is composed of unexploded ten
inch charges.
My informant believes that the six
inch magazine was exploded by the first
shock that was felt, and that there was
another explosion in the ten-inch mag
azine.
Though I questioned him very closely
I could gain no idea as to whether the
curvature of the plates indicated that
there had been an outside explosion. He
could not tell me, as he had made no
examination in that direction.
The theory of two explosions is
borne out by the testimony of Senor An
tonio Caballero, a well known tobacco
dealer in Havana. Senor Caballero was
crossing the bay in the ferry-boat at the.
time of the disaster. He was familiar
with the Maine, having paid several
visits to that craft, and was pointing out
SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1898.
to a group of friends on the ferry-boat
her peculiarities when there came, he
says, a dull report from the forward part
of the warship and the upheaval of a
geyser of water about the boat, followed
almost immediately by a terrific roar
and a blinding flash of light. He is
positive about the first explosion and
says it was noticed by his companions.
This statement of his came to the ears
of one of the court of inquiry, and last
night an officer was sent to Senor
Caballeros to ask him if he would ap
pear as a witness before the court. He
announced his willingness to do so and
was to have appeared to-day.
Many strange tales of the disaster are
brought out as the days wear on. One
of these was made known yesterday
when the captain of an English bark an
chored in the harbor and nearly a
mile distant from the Maine told of
how a bewhiskered jaw had fallen on
the deck of his vessel. The captain has
been asked to appear as a witness before
the court of inquiry.
The proceedings of that body absorb
all interest now. Every one here be-
I lieves a crisis will follow close upon the
heels of its conclusions.
The Spanish authorities realize that
Spain is perilously near a rupture with
the United States and suppressed ex
citement is felt in the air. The Captain-
General js in constant communication
Mfith Madrid, bat nothing that" is' hao- '
p«ning there or at Washington is al
lowed to appear in the papers. The
foreign consular officials are likewise
busy with their home offices.
Diving operations at the wreck were
carried on to-day more briskly and
with better results than heretofore, at
least so far as the work of recovering
bodies is concerned. The men are now
becoming accustomed to the lay of the
wreck and proceed with more freedom
and confidence than they had when they
first ventured into the murky depths.
Operations were confined entirely to
day to the forward part of the ship.
Twelve bodies had been recovered uo
to 3 o'clock. The divers also brought
up deck chairs and other articles that
formed part of the ship's furniture.
As the bodies were brought to the
surface they were towed to the Spanish
patrol boat, where they were prepared
for burial. I spent a short time this
afternoon on board this barge in com
pany with Chaplain Chadwick. The
bodies presented a sickening sight. Out
of twelve recovered to-day it has been
impossible so far to identify one. Most
of them are scarred and burned beyond
recognition. Those bodies that had not
been burned had been in the water so
long the features were unrecognizable.
Eight of the bodies were in such a con
dition that they were all placed in one
coffin.
As the bodies were towed alongside
the barge Chaplain Chidwick peered
anxiously over the side hoping that he
might recognize some familiar features.
Captain Sigsbee, at the time I was on
the barge with Chaplain Chidwick. was
on the lighthouse tender Mangrove a
few yards away. He was seated alone
on the deck looking stern and sorrowful
as fresh evidence of the direful results
of the explosion that destroyed his ves
sel came before his eyes. The bodies
recovered from the wreck, with those
of men who died in the hospital, now
number 158. Of these only fifty have
been identified. It is possible that
marks on what is left of the clothing
may lead to the identification of fifteen
more.
The operations of the divers to-day
did not extend to that part of the wreck
where the officers' quarters were, and
the bodies of Lieutenant Fred W. Ten
kins and Passed Assistant Engineer
Darwin R. Merritt have not yet been
recovers d.
While the divers were at work the
shores, as usual, were lined with throngs
striving to follow all that was being
done at the wreck and on the boats near
by. Craft of all sorts swarmed in the
vicinity of the operations, approaching
as closely as the patrol boats would per
mit them.
Before the Naval Court of Inquiry ap
pointed to investigate the cause of the
explosion which wrecked the warship
Captain Sigsbee to-day continued his
story of the disaster. All the morning
was taken up in this examination, dur
ing which time, I am able to say. facts
of great importance bearing upon the
blowing up of the Maine were brought
out. Great care is taken to keep se
cret all of Captain Sigsbee's testimony,
and the same care will be exercised
when other important witnesses appear
View of the City and Harbor of Bridgetown, Island of Barbadoes, West Indies, where the South Atlantic Fleet, con
sisting of the Cincinnati, Wilmington and Castine, has been ordered to rendezvous.
SPAIN WILL NOT SELL CUBA.
Copyrighted, IS9B, by James Gordon Bennett.
MADRID, Feb. 22.— As the question of the purchase of Cuba is being
pushed in Washington, it may be of use to state, and I have it on the
highest authority, that Spain would never, no matter what the Gov
ernment was in power, consider any such suggestion or any compro
mise in Cuba beyond the broad measure of autonomy drafted by the
Liberal Government. This is an absolute, irrevocable decision. People
who suggest anything elße are only wasting time and arousing un
founded hopes in the minds of the rebels.
before the court of inquiry to tell their
stories. No story of the wrecking of
the Maine will, however, he Riven such
consideration by the Board of Inquiry
as that of Captain Sitrsbee, who. as
commander of the United States war
vessel, has told just what steps were
taken to protect the battle-ship.
Captain Sigsbee yesterday gave valu
able information as to this, but to-day
it is' understood his testimony was of
even greater importance and through it
great light has been thrown upon the
mystery of the Maine disaster.
When all of Captain Sigsbee's testi
mony is in the court of inquiry will
proceed immediately to the statements
cf the other officers of the Maine, and
then the work of taking the testimony
of the wounded and other survivors oi
the battle-ship will begin. This will
j/robnbly consume considerable time, as
the stories of many of the crew of the
Maine will be long.
These who were nearest the scene of
the explosion will be minutely examined
by the court. Not one ot these has as
yet told his story in detail, and when
these stories are told it is expected they
v. ill tr very sensational. Great impor
tance is attached by the court to the
testimony of these men.
While the investigation in behalf of
the L'niU-u States is point? on the ijpan
ish iuthonties are not idle. The depo
sions of officers of Spanish vessels in the
I. arbor ?rd of harbor officials as to the
Maine disaster were to-day given before
Judge Feral of the Spanish Admiralt>
Court, this way the Spanisn are
working to gather facts as to the Maine
disaster hitherto unknown.
Pefore the court of inquiry met on the
Mangrove to-day members of the court
paid an official visit to Admiral Man
terola. The court did not visit the
members of the autonomist gov
ernment.
In honor of the victims of the Maine
the military commander of Guanabacoa
has ordered the suspension for three
days of public festivities in that city.
This work of respect is greatly appre
ciated by the American colony in this
city.
The rebels in the field have not been
inactive during the excitement follow
ing the destruction of the Maine. Gen
eral Pando of the Santiago district has
asked for re-enforcements to continue
his campaign against Calixto Garcia
and 1600 regulars have been sent to him.
General engagements have taken place
there recently, but no details have
reached the capital.
NAVAL OFFICERS
SUSPECT TREACHERY.
So the Vast Quantity of Coal at Key
West Is Now Being
Searched.
NEW YORK, Feb. 22.— A Key West
special to the Herald says: Notwith
standing the order issued by the Navy
Department commanding all its officers
not to hold interviews with any person
whatever in reference to the destruc
tion of the Maine, or other matters con
nected with naval affairs, it is evident
from unguarded expressions heard in
hotel corridors and in the streets that
the opinion of foul play in connection
with the blowing up of the war vessel
is daily gaining ground in naval circles.
That treachery is suspected even at
this point is evidenced by the precau
tions being taken by the naval au
thorities here. Precisely who is under
suspicion or what is mistrusted I have
been unable to ascertain, but the fact
that unusual precautions are being
taken is apparent.
Below the surface suspicion seems to
be directed chiefly toward the supply
of coal kept in the sheds here for the
use of naval vessels. During the last
few days a gang of laborers has been
overhauling the coal piles, searching
for dynamite or 'other combustibles.
The work is necessarily slow and te
dious, on account of the immense
quantity stored here, and the examina
tion will require possibly a week
longer. From the fact that after the
work is discontinued at sundown
armed watchmen are placed on guard
at the yard it would appear that not
only is suspicion directed with what
might have been placed in the coal in
the past, but the authorities are ap
prehensive anew.
It is reported here to-night that a
dispatch was received at the naval
station after sundown from Washing-
ton stating that the Washington of
ficials were working on information
which may show that a bomb was
placed in one of the bunkers of the
ship and its explosion resulted in the
sinking of the Maine. This theory is
repudiated by numerous officers whom
I questioned. They ridicule the idea
that any ordinary bomb could have
penetrated the heavy steel walls pro
tecting the magazines. I called on
Commander Forsythe to-night and
questioned him respecting the report.
He looked down at me from his tower
ing height with a quizzical expression
of countenance and said: "Young man,
have you seen the orders from the Sec
retary of the Navy prohibiting all of
ficers from granting interviews to
members of the press?"
I evaded his query and asked him Jf
he had received such an order. He
begged to be excused from answering
the question. There is no foundation
in the report that Consul-General Lee
has left Havana for the United States.
I saw the consul in Havana last night
on his way to the palace of Captain-
General Blanco with whom he had a
long conference.
DELUGED WITH THE
OFFERS OFJ/OLUNTEERS.
Governor Holcomb of Nebraska
Could Turn Out a Big Army
in Case of War.
NEW YORK. Feb. 22.— A Lincoln
(Neb.) special to the Herald says:
Governor Holcomb and Adjutant-Gen
eral Barry have been deluged with
proffers from National Guard members,
ex-army men and citizens of their ser
vices, and yesterday sixty-five citizens
of Valentine tendered their services
to President McKinley through the
Governor.
Major Fechel. United States army,
military attache to Governor Holcomb,
has received a number of cipher tele
grams from Washington, but the con
tents are not disclosed.. At Fort Nio
brara there is more activity than any
time since the Wounded Knee Indian
uprising.
Governor Holcomb refuses to say he
has received any instructions from the
War Department. He says the mili
tary strength of the State for immedi
ate service, fully equipped, is 1200 men,
but that 200,000 more will respond if the
Government calls them.
THE PRESIDENT
MAY BE FORCED
TO DECLARE WAR
Fear of Popular Indignation Com
pels Mr. McKinley to Enforce
Silence Among the Men
of the Navy-
NEW YORK. Feb. 22.— A Key West,
Fla., special to the Herald says :
The Call-Herald special dispatch boat
arrived here from Havana at4o'clock
this afternoon. Notwithstanding
the strong northerly wind and a
heavy sea in the gulf the trim little
steamer made the run across in a
few hours. Her arrival in the har
bor, which caused considerable ex
citement, was simultaneous with
that of the steamer Olivette from
Tampa, and as the latter slowed
down in approaching her dock the
fleet little dispatch boat steamed
past with her Herald pennant flying
to the breeze, exchanging salutes
with their musical whistle.
As indicated in my dispatches last
night, the wrecking tug Right Arm
sailed this evening for Havana, hav
ing been sent by the naval author
ities to assist in the examination of
the Maine. Captain Magee told me
he had no doubt his men would be
able within a few hours to deter
mine the cause of the disaster to
morrow.
"Assuming," I said, "that the
action of a mine or torpedo from
the exterior caused the explosion of
the magazines, would a magazine
explosion have obliterated evidences
of the prior exp/osicn of the mine?"
"No," said Captain Magee, "as soon as
our experienced divers get to work and the
surrounding mud is dredged out from under
the ship's bottom we will be able to explain
the whole affair thoroughly, but our informa
tion will be given to nobody but properly
accredited Government officers."
Captain Magee seen ed deeply impressed
with the magnitude of the issue hanging
upon the work of the men laboring under his
control. He is a discreet man and may be
depended upon to do faithful work and dis
close no secrets except to the proper
authorities.
The order issued by ihe Secretary of the
Navy to all officers forbidding them under
penalty of coort-martial from granting in
terviews to any person, and particularly
newspaper correspondents, in reference to
the destruction of the Maine or any matter
connected with the disaster, is being rigidly
enforced by the naval authorities. The order
has naturally, from the open manner and abso
lute freedom with which all information has
been heretofore given by attaches of naval
stations and officers of vessels in the harbor,
caused considerable comment in this city
and created the impression that the Govern
ment is in possession of facts which perhaps
have been developed by divers working in
the Maine, which, if known by the public,
might precipitate premature action by the
President; in other words might force the
executive to dec/are war before the Govern
ment is fully prepared to act. At all events
the order is considered full of significance.
NOT A HOLIDAY^
AT THE CAPITAL
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.— A1l the
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
Government departments were closed
in Washington to-day .save the Navy
Department, where a few of the officials
assembled to receive any dispatches
that might arrive and to close the con
tract with the wreckers for the recov
ery of the effects on the Maine and the
vessel herself if that be practicable.
The signing of the wrecking contract
was the most important event of the
day, and this concluded the officials
closed up shop and went home to enjoy
a respite from the rush of the past
week.
Captain Sigsbee was heard from in
a dispatch which indicates that close
attention will be given to the coal
bunkers by the Navy Court of Inquiry.
Washington officials unquestionably
have been for some time preparing for
any emergency that may arise, but ap
pearances at the department to-day
; would indicate that any necessary or
ders have already been given and that
the situation is not one calling for im
; mediate activity at Washington. The
i Castlne and Cincinnati, in accordance
with orders made known some time
; ago, are to move much further north, to
i West Indian waters, and at Norfolk
■ the monitor Terror has been ordered to
i be in readiness and will be sent to New
I York to-morrow.
The Senate passed a bill to add two
artillery regiments to the strength of
the r.avy. This measure has been
urged for many months by officials of
the War Department, who foresaw that
while Congress of late years had taken
measures for the protection of our
coasts by additional appropriations for
extensive works, it had not provided
the men necessary to operate these en
gines of war. Should the House pass
the bill It will enable the department
to carry out plans it has long had in
view. Criticism lately passed upon the
state of the army and our fortifications
has caused Increased activity in mili
tary matters and to some extent this Is
responsible for reports arriving from
various quarters of movements at army
posts.
FORTY RAPID-FIRE
HOTCHKISS GUNS ORDERED.
Contracts With the American Ord-
nance Company That Causes
Comment.
NEW YORK. Feb. 22.— A Bridgeport.
Conn., special to The Herald says: The
American Ordnance Company has re
ceived an order for guns which is ac
companied by considerable mystery.
The order is for forty six-pounder
rapid fire Hotchkiss guns to be deliv
ered at once. The order came from
Vice-President Very of the Ordnance
Company in Washington. The guns
called for in the contract are such as
are used largely by the Government
for torpedo boats and light armed
cruisers, and the belief is that they are
for the United States Government.
Secretary N. W. Bishop of the com
pany says the officials of the company
here knew nothing about the destina
tion of the guns. The order was by
telegraph and was signed by the vice
president. Immediately preparations
were begun by the ordnance company
for turning out the guns. Some of tha
castings will be made by the Bethle
hem Iron Works, Bethlehem, Pa.,
and it will take fully a week
to get the first gun under way, but af
ter that the company expects to turn
out two or three a week. An additional