The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-25

The official press on the other hand
counseis prudence and confidence in
the patriotism OF the Cubans.
A squadron OF torpedo boats has
left Cadiz for Havana harbor
PROVISIONS FOR VICTIMS OF THE
MAINE.
Washington. February 22-Legisla-
tive provision for the relief OF the vic
Tins Of the Maine disaster occupied
the house committee on naval affairs
all day, general measure being agreed
on late this afternoon similar TO the re-
lief measure that followed the Samoan
disaster in 1889. The resolution will
be finally passed on at a special meet
ing OF the committee tomorrow morn
ing and will be Immediately reported
by Chairman Boutelle and its passage
by the house expedited.
Any losses sustained by the survivors
will be made good TO the extent Of not
exceeding twelve months pay and
provision is to be made for bringing
the remains back to this country at
the discretion Of the naval authorities.
Washington, February 23.-The ar
rival of a mail in Washington from
Key West this afternoon bringing sew
eral letters from naval officers lately
attached TO the Maine caused a wave
the capitol; for there were all sorts Of
rumors as to the contents of the let
ters, very few Of which rumors in point
OF fact had any sound basis. The only
feature SO far as could be discovered
or real Importance as throwing light
on the cause Of the explosion, contain
ed in the letters, was the statement
that the two after boilers in the after
boiler space were all of the eight boil
ac . Fa.x
steam at the time of the explosion
This fact had a negative value, for it
disposed at once Of the theory that any
exploding boiler had caused the wreck
The experts all say that by no posi-
bility could the after boiler explosion
have wrecked the forepart of the Maine
and left the after-part almost unharm-
ed.
Much interest was shown in a dis
patch received shortly before o'clock
from Admiral Sicard, giving the re-
commendation Of Captain Sampson, Of
the court Of inquiry, as to the raising
of the wreck. The view of naval Off
GERS was that Captain Sampson and his
associates were giving this advice. not
as court, but as officers in a position
to speak as to the best methods to be
adopted for raising the Maine. Va
rious interpretations were put on the
eXpI eSSiO1 forward half completely
destroyed" This was regarded as
partial confirmation Of the theory that
the forward magazine had exploded
as that is one of the most important
portions of the forward half of the
ship. At the same time, it was held
by some naval authorities that the de-
struction Of the forward half of the
ship did not necessarily mean that the
forward magazine had exploded, as
this might be still intact, although a
part of the general wreckage. in the
absence Of an explicit statement as to
the forward magazine there was a
disposition not to accept any implied
statement as to it's destruction.
Captain SIMPSONS recommendation
that contract be made with the best
equipped wrecking company. to re-
move the material and lift the ship
without delay was in line with the ac-
ton already taken in closing a con-
tract with the two largest wrecking
concerns in the country, by which
their combined facilities will be at the
service Of the government. The con-
tract contains a clause binding the
wreckerS to use their utmose efforts
to expedite the work, so that the de-
partment feels that everything has
been done to carry out the views ex
of the contract itemzes the amounts to
be paid for each branch Of wrecking
work, viz: Wrecking tug Underwater,
$3.50 per day; wrecking steamer Jones,
5000; lighter Seymour, $75; derrick
Chief, SIS; barge Lone Star, $50; wreck
ing tug Right Arm, 5000; Wreckmaster,
SIS; wreckers, $3.50 each; divers, $50
each.
Evidently the president of the court
pf
the public of ill-judged attempts to
account for the destruction of the
Maine, for he telegra phed Secretary
Long, doubtless having in mind certain
publications Of this morning, as fol-
lows:
Havana, February 23, 1898.
ANY reported interview with divers
is untrue. Every precautiOn has
been taken. An officer is always pres
ent."
This brief statement disposes of all
the allegations that have been made
pro and con as to the blowing up of
the forward magazines.
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
THEORY.
The officers here are still thinking OF
Captain Sigsbee's request OF yesterday
TO be furnished with the plans of the
Names section through the magazines
and coal bunker pockets. The refer
ence to the latter is particularly in
teresrng and leads TO q desire TO be
informed on the exact quantity and
quality OF the coal supply at the time
of The explosion. It is said that these
pocket-bunkers are rarely emptied. be-
ing designed as much for the protectior
Of the ship against gunshots as for ca
pacity to hold coal. One expert said
that these bunkers in his own expert
ence have not been emptied in months
All of this has to do with the sponta-
neous combustion theory. as the bunk
ers aIbutt on the magazines and might
have set off even the safe brown pow
der. If the latter were exposed to a
degree OF heat Sbove 600 degrees for
some time. Th&request. besides, may
show that Captain Sigsbee Is not yet
satisfied as TO the cause of the expio-
sion, Notwithstanding the expressions
that have been attributed TO him by
unauthorized persons.
One of the private letters received