The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-25

Tho failure OF Cuban autonomy had been made
known to him officially, and he was about ready
TO tell Spain that tho United States would BIO
compelled to intervene In tho interests Of
humanity and Justice, when the new and fright
full turn OF the situation came and set tho people
of the country to thinking OF tho more serious
Indictment against Spain. The Cuban corre-
spondencc will probably DO withheld now until
the Board of Inquiry reports the result OF It's in
vostigation and makes 1t necessary for the Adj
ministration to dispose Of this moro acute phase
OF the Cuban question. The correspondence Is
now ready to go to Congress and the report Of
the board will be ready very soon. Both may go
to Congress together, and among some Of the
Presidents closest friends there is a firm belief
that with these documents will go the Presi-
dents recommendation of a plan for bringing
Spain to terms.
While awaiting the fateful day when this step
shall be taken the Administration officials Of the
army and the navy are going ahead exDe-
ditiously and persistently with the preparations
for putting the army on n war footing and bring
ing the navy to tho very highest state Of eff
cheney. These preparations were begun several
months ago, and II renewed activity Is discern.
ible at present it is because the officials feel
that they must not be found unpropared when
tho time comes for action, whether that time be
near or remote.
No news of Importance came to the Navy
Department to-day in regard to the Maine
disaster, and mono Is expected until after the
Board OF Inquiry completes its investigation.
Capt. Sigsbee sent two dispatches, one of which
camc this afternoon and another tonight. The
afternoon despatch said:
"Wrecking tug Right Arm arrived yesterday.
Begins work to-day. Much encumbcring metal
must BIO blasted away in detail. Navy divers
down aft seven days. forward four days. Bodies
| ~ Iontipu md Nerritt not found.
1.-TWO unidentified bodies Of the crew were
found yesterday. The aftet compartment filled
with detached, broken and buoyant furniture
and fittings, mud and confusion. Spanish au-
thorities continue offers Of assistance and care
for tho wounded and dead. Everything that
goes from the wreck to the United States should
be disinfectcd. The wrecking company should
provide for this. The surgeon Of the Maine,
after consultation with others. recommended
that all the bedding and clothing should be
abandoned. They might 60 to the acclimated
poor.
Useless fittings and equipments might DO
toved to sea and thrown overheard. Will take
all immediate responsibility, but invite depart
ment's wishes. Shall old metal Of superstruc-
ture and the like be savcdl Friends of the dead
should understand that we are in the tropics.
Chaplain Chadwick charged with all matters
relative to the dead. His conduct is beyond
praise. Don I know WnaU TepOrbS arc DeluB
printed, but the intensely active representatives
Of the press here have been very considerate OF
me and my position"
divers report moro bodies in wreck said
Capt. Sigsbee. Some in involved
in debris. probably not recognizable
The wrecking company which secured the
contract for raising the Maine are not losing any
time in getting to work. Two kilograms were
received from the MerrittChapman Derrick
and Wrecking Company by Judge Advocate-Gen-
eral Lemly this afternoon. They said that the
wrecking steamer Merritt and the wrecking
lighter Sharp left for Havana last night. and
the Underwriters, with the chief wreckmaster.
would probably leave Boston on Saturday. Tho
assistant wreckmaster will also go to Havana
by the Ward line steamer, leaving New York on
Saturday. There was a significant clause in
serted in the contract between tho Government
and the wrecking company.
The representative of the wrecking COM
panies were uneasy about the risks their valu-
able vessels and machinery would run in Ha-
vana harbor through the hostile feeling felt
toward the United States and the suspected de-
sire of the Spanish authorities to prevent ex-
animation OF the Mainc's hull and the waters
in which 1t is lying. The Government repre-
sentatives agreed to insert this clause, which is
in itself warning to Spain to leave the wreckers
alone:
THE party of the second part the Govern
ment) will protect the parties Of tho first part
uhe wrecking company against interference or
interruption in the progress Of the work, and
will reimburse to them any port charges paid
at Havana"
The vindication of Capt. Sigsbee, his officers.
and crew will depend very largely upon the re-
fathom the mystery Of the Maine disaster. The
utmost confidence Ia felt by all officials OF the
| haa hath praca1tDu and following the wreck. and
there has been no suspicion that there waslack OF
discipline or Of observance of every precautlon
board viii most certainly refer to the discipline
Of the vessel previous to tho explosion, and II
the requirements of the navy. it will most Ger:
tsinly SO rerort But from official sources and
only pniiy" was the Maine perfectly Il disciplined. but
that she was known to the North Atlantic
Whole aggregation. Her officers were mon ex.
perienced in various lines of naval development,
and had absolute confidence in their commander.
escaped death are yet attached to the Maine.
and will 30 remain until relieved by
these orders will be issued has not been yet do
ermined but It is more likely that the Names
Investigating board completes its labors and
sends its conclusions to the Washington au.
thorities. When this will be nobody knows.
Secretary Long says the board may complete
taking testimony and obssrya tif, at Havana
thereafter proceed to Key West to hear add.
tlonal evidence, Capt. sigsbee,, Executive
Officer Wainwright the surgeon, tho Paymas-
ter, and the others at Havana have all
told their story. Until the .oa diyeIs; there here.
tional, and more light Is cast on tho
uncertainty that stnl exists as to the real
main at Havana and await developments. 1t
T. regarded by tho Leading naval OFFICIALS here
more Important in assisting tho board to
reach some conclusion than the testimony
Capt. Sigsbcc had some important opinions
which none but members OF the board know OF.
and Mr.. Wainwright. his right hand man, may
have been able to present some facts which he
would not he Justified in announcing just now,
even to the Navy. Department. II is be-
iieyed here that. II either OF, these officers
had discovered since tho Maine sank that
through some fault OF any man on board
the usual steps had not been taken to
guard against accidental EXPLOSION thoy would
not have announced such opinions to any one
except the special examining board. In all the
despatchcs that have come from Havana to the
department Capt. Sigsbce hns been careful to ig-
moro reference AS 10 the probable cause of the loss