davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
PROBABLY
AN ACCIDENT
lContinued trOln f'irst Pagel

the Navy Department Her official
trial took place in October, 1894.
The vessels principal dimensions
are: Length over all. S24 feet iIs
inches; length of load water line. SIS
feet s inches: extreme beam. 81 feet;
mean draught, n feet inches: dis
placement. 6.eS2 tons; speed. IL knots.
She has eight steel horizontal boilers:
vertical inverted cylinder. direct act
ing triple expansion twin-screw en-
gines of 5000 indicated horsepower.
She carries 500 tons of coal. with
which she can steam 2,770 knots at
las knots an hour, or 1000 knots at
10 knots an hour. She has double
bottom and numerous water tight
compartments.
Her armor consists of a side armor
belt, twelve inches thick. Four 10
inch rifles, en- barbette in turrets. con-
stitute her main battery, and six G.
inch rifles on the battery deck form
the auxiliary battery. Four 6-pound-
ers, eight S-pounders and two I-pound-
er rapid-fire guns, four revolving can
non and four gatlings make up the
secondary battery. There are armored
tops on each of the two masts.
The complement of the Maine is $40.
including officers and crew.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25

In the recently published History of
South Carolina under the Proprietary
Governments" by Edward McCrady, it
is stated thai the people during the
period before and after the year 100,
were hospitable. generous, and enter
tanned freely: that young girls received
their beaux at o'clock p. m, and ex-
pected them TO withdraw at o'clock.
as many families retired to bed at I
o'clock in the winter, and o'clock in
the summer, as they had learned to
obey the curfew bell in England,
Perhaps the reason that the people of
those days were not knocked out by
troubles, as the people of the
present day are, is that their lives were
free from excitement. and they had
abundance Of physical rest.
We OF modern days, have steam, cleo
tricity and unnumbered comforts, but
all these increase apparently the ner-
1ous troubles. What are the blessings
Of civilization without rest?
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
ADMIRAL MILLER
Believes the Disaster Was
Caused By an Accident.
Receives Dispatch From Secretary
of Navy to Half-mast the Flags.
Launching of Maine.

Admiral Miller was much affected BY
news of the disaster to the American
navy in the loss of so many OF the
crew of the Maine and the ship itself.
The Admiral was deeply in the news
paper accounts when found at his
shore home in Makiki last evening by
a representative of the Advertiser.
A dispatch from the Secretary Of the
Navy came to Admiral Miller in the
mail of the Zealandia- This message.
sent by wire to San Francisco. was in
effect that the vessel Maine had been
destroyed at Havana by accident"
Through the Secretary of the Navy.
the President directs that colors OF
American warships be half-masted till
further orders. Admiral Miller viii
notify the ships on the Asiatie station
at the earliest possible time. The Bal
timore and Bennington flags will 20
to half-mast at this morning.
1t will be noted that the head OF
the United States Navy Department
says that the battleship was lost By
accident. Admiral Miller said that
with the newspaper accounts as a
contrary opinions. he was Of the belief
that the awful loss Of life and property
was accidental He supposed that the
results or findings Of an investigation
would be at hand by the next mail
from the Coast Doubtless all there is
to know is already known at Havana
and in the United States. Admiral
Miller has a personal ACQUAINTANCE
with nearly all the officers OF the Maine
and speaks highly of the capabilities
or Captain Sigsbee and his staff The
Admiral said that score OF ways in
which such an accident could ba
brought about would at once suggest
themselves 10 one familiar with ships.
CHANGING at the list of the officers Of
the Maine, Admiral Miller said that
the only one whom he could recall as
having served on this station was Geo.
P. Blow. The two officers lost are unite
new TO the navy.
In the battleship Maine herself. Ad-
miral Miller has peculiar personal
interest. He is very familiar with
every nook and corner Of the big fight
ing machine, has been aboard her hun
dreds OF times and has pored over her
plans by the hour. When the Maine
was launched at the New York Navy
Yard the Admiral was captain OF the
yard. He says there were at least
$1,000 people out to see the ship go
on the ways and that her beauty and
size and neatness were the pride Of all
VINO take an interest in the American
navy.
Speaking Of the excitement and
alarm in the United States, Admiral
Miller said the thing TO do at home
was to proceed even TO the extent Of a
hundred million OF dollars to fortify
coasts, place land batteries and launch
new ships by way of preparation for
any trouble that might present itself.
In the event Of war the unwisdom OF
economy in preparation would be
quickly and sadly demonstrated.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
OPINIONS OF NAVAL OFFICERS.

BOSTON, (Mass.), February 10
Rear Admiral George E. Belknan
United States Navy, retired, is inclined
TO think in the light of the data con-
tanned in the Havana dispatches that
the Maine was blown I'D by a torpedo
WASHINGTON, February 16.-The
naval officers cannot agree upon anv
theory 10 account for the destruction
OF the Maine. Perhaps a majority are
inclined TO the belief that the explo-
sion was purely accidental; another
considerable number feel that a tor
pedo was exploded under the vessel
and a third theory is that some infer
nal machine was smuggled aboard the
ship and set of.
INDIANAPOLIS, February L.
Rear Admiral George Brown when in
formed of the naval casualty in Ha-
vana harbor, said: 4 can offer moth
ing but vague conjecture as to the pro
bable cause of the destruction of the
Maine, although it would seem to me
at this time that when an investiga-
ton is made it will be found that an
explosion occurred on the vessel
NEW YORK, February 16.-Rear
Admiral Erben, U. S. N, retired, said
today that he was inclined to believe
that the Maine was blown up by her
own magazine. Such things had hap
pened before.
CAPTAIN A. T. Mahan said that in the
absence of authentic information. he
was unwilling to discuss the matter in
any light.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
SPANISH orrNIoS
Former Minister de LONE Greatly All
tated.

Former Minister de LONE Grv@tiy Azi-
tated.
NEW YORK. February 1s.-DuDuE
de LONE. the former Minister Of spain
to the United States. was awakened
and informed Of the blowing I'D OF the
Maine. Mr.. de LONE appeared ex-
tremely agitated He said:
1T cannot be the result OF any
Spanish agency at all The Sganish
Ministry and the Spanish people have
been greatly misunderstood in this
country. They all desire peace. they
all want peace with America and An
orleans. not only from motives % pol
icy. but because they love America
Nearly all the prominent Spaniards
and men OF influences in my cJzatry
share my views in regard 70 America.
Spain cannot afford to have var
with the United States. II only from
motives OF policy they are determined
not TO have any war. There can be no
war between this country and spain
Such thing is out Of the Question.
If the Maine has blown up in Ha-
vana harbOr it is the result % an acri-
dent That is absolutely certain
There will be no war"
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.

Intense excitement in the United
States over the utter destruction of the
battleship Maine, in the harbor OF Ha-
vzna- This excitement is exaggerated
by the rumors OF foul play on the part
OF The Spaniards. In cat2strophies o:
this kind, the majority of people be-
come insanely suspicious 81 first. and
only the second thought brings them
10 their senses,
The prevailing opinion in the Navy
Department, al The latest date is that
the explosion took place from causes
existing wtrain The vessel Only slight
reflection would show that causes
operating from the outside, were high
ly improbshle-
The action Of the Spanish admiral
in instituting 3 joint inquiry al once.
into the causes Of the loss Of the Maine
seems TO be most opporgune. OF course
the American Navy Department viii
thoroughly investigate The matter.
1t is well known that the interior
structure OF modern warzhips is large
" governmental Great economy *
used in the arrangement OF boilers. !
coal bunkers. magazines. engines. and
ammunition There have been several |
accidents. and some serious ones
avoided by prompt action. Il is no /
secret among naval constructors. and
among experienced naval officers. that
some Of the interior arrangements of
the great warships are faulty. and for
that reason, close and repeated in
specuons are made Every warship
carries such & vast amount Of explo-
sive material, human ingenuity cannot
absolutely guard against accident. But
as matter Of chances. there is as lit
tie danger from these accidents, as
there is from accidents in any occupa-
ton Perhaps the mystery OF this ex-
DlosiOn viii never be known
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
A DIPLOMATIC MISFORTUNE.

The retirement of the Spanish Min
lister de LONE is a misfortune" and
not a crime international usage
permits an ambassador at any court to
say what he pleases, but if he is
caught at saying anything unpleasant
about the Government to which he is
semi, he must walk the plank"
Ministers and ambassadors in Civ
ing TO their own courts the true in
wardness of the sayings and doings of
men in office. constantly make harsh
comments, which if published, involve
them in trouble. So their correspon-
denee goes into the secret archives.
One OF the American Ministers at the
German Court several years ago.
wrote some severe comments on the
policy of the German Government. The
American Secretary of State carelessly
allowed his letter to be published. The
German Court growled, but did not
ask for the recall of the Minister. as it
believed that the American Foreign
Office did not know any better than to
publish ii.
Back in the "forties.' Mr.. Anthony
Ten Eyke, American representative
here lost his temper, and wrote a letter
TO the Cleveland Plain Dealer, in which
Kamehameha III was referred 10 in
this way:
Should monkey wear a crown
must We remble at his frown," etc.
After careful examination the an
thorship was discovered. The matter
was put before the Washington Gov
eminent, and Mr.. Ten Eyke was recall
ed. 1t was a momentous event in the
annals Of the Islands at that time. The
European nations did not give it the
consideration il deserved. Nor. is the
incident found in the history of diplo-
macy. No doubt, Minister Sewal. in
his careful perusal of the luminous
pages Of American diplomacy in Ha-
waii, has smiled over it, and taken the
usual warning, if any were needed.
His predecessor, Mr. Willis, created
a number OF episodes, by unfriendly
criticism on our Government. But
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
A survIvor,r storr.

A special to the Evening Telegram
from Havana concerning the Maine
disaster, says: James Rowe. ships
cook, was the least injured OF any that
were brought of while was there I
asked him how it happened. I don't
know, he replied. speaking with diff
Guilty 1 turned in my hammock al s
o'clock and heard three bells strike. I
don't remember anything more until /
felt myself t7lrning over and over and
falling heavily upon the deck through
a mass of smoke. I got on my feet
and worked my way on deck. When I
got there the superstrueture deck was
dipping under water, and I jumped ov-
erboard to keep from being drawn
down in the suction. I was picked up
by boat from the Spanish man-of-
war"
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
GARFIELD'S OPINION.

The opponents Of annexation have
lately directed attention 70 the speech
Of General Garfield, made in The House
OF Representatives On April 6. 1876. IN
favor Of the Reciprocity Treaty. His
influence was felt in securing ii. He
did say that he was opposed to annex
alton, although that matter vas not in
issue. He did say that The natives Of
these Islands occupy territory
that naturally enfeebles man, q yopu-
lation and q territory that earnestly
hope may never be made an internal
part Of the United States. This. and
more that he said is repeated in many
papers not friendly 10 Us
At the time. he had not seriously
investigated the subject, and spoke
only from the general impression thai
scholars and students had on the sub
ject- He afterwards modified these
views, and if he had not been murder
ed, would have pushed annexation 10
the front We speak from almost pos
tive knowledge on the subject. Mr..
Blaine, his secretary Of State. with his
singularly strong and advanced views
on the subject virtually announced this
policy in 1881, and President Garfield
assented TO II Those who quote Gar
fields words uttered in 1876, do not
state what MS foreign policy vas as
President
While he did object TO the annexa-
ton Of the Islands in 1876. for the rea-
son that it would be of no advantage
TO the United States. as factor in
their civilization. he afterwards saw
that II had Unreasonable value as
commercial and military outpost. He
preferred that America should stand
on the control" Of the Islands. But
he did not hesitate 70 advocate annex
alton. should the policy of control be
impractieable, or weak. He may not
have had abounding faith in develop
ment Of the American in the tropics.
But he had 8 strong faith in value Of
the Hawaiian territory. If it became
necessary 10 take the territory, as an
international matter, the question OF
the Inhabitants became an incidental
affair
President Garfield, as We have said
in these columns. did entertain a hope
that the experiment OF building up
New England in the tropics would sue
eeed. He confessed that it might, aft
er he had looked into the matter with
some care. But he believed that it
would require much missionary work
TO do il. And ne asked where we're the
missionaries unless they were the
planters.
It cannot. therefore, be said that his
opinion on the subject Of annexation
has value al present.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
THE OFFICERS OF THE MAINE.

CHARLES D. SIGSBEE, Comman.
der.
RICHARD WAINWRIGHT, Lieute-
nant-Commander.
G. F. HOLMAN, Lieutenant.
JOHN HOOD. Lieutenant.
c. ". YUNGEN, Lieutenant.
c. W. BLOW. Lieutenant Junior
grade.)
]. T. BLANDIN, Lieutenant Junior
grade)
ST. a. JENKINS, Lieutenant Junior
grade.)
]. H. HOLDEN, Cadet.
W. T. CLUVERIUS, Cadet.
AMOS BRONSON, Cadet.
D. F. BOYD. 5r.. Cadet.
L G. HENEBERGER, Surgeon.
RYAN, Paymaster.
L. G. HOWELL, Chief Engineer.
E. c. BOWERS, Passed Assistant
Engineer.
]. R. MORRIS, Assistant Engineer.
ID. R. MERRITT, Assistant En-.
gineer.
POPE. Cadet Egineer.
WASHINGTON, Cadet Engineer.
ARTHUR GRENSHAW, Cadet En-
gineer.
j. P. CHADWICK. Chaplain.
A. w. CATLIN, Lieutenant of Ma
rines.
FRANCIS E. LARKINS, Boatswain.
JOSEPH HILL. Gunner.
GEORGE HELMS, Carpenter.
*Missing.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
THINKS IT AN ACCIDENT.
Secretary Long Believes Magazine Elk
ploded.

secretary Long Believes Magazine Elk
ploded.
WASHINGTON, February 16.-After
a day of intense excitement at the
Navy Department and elsewhere
growing out of the destruction of the
battleship Maine in Havana harbor
last night, the situation tonight after
the exchange of a number of cable
grams between Washington and Ha-
vana can be summed up in the words
OF Secretary Long, who, when asked as
ne was about TO depart for the day,
whether he had reason 10 suspect that
the disaster was the work of an enemy.
replied:
Il do not. In that 1 am Influenced
by the fact that Captain Sigsbee has
not yet reported to the Navy DEPART
ment on the cause. He is evidently
waiting TO write a full report. So long
as he does not express himself GER
tainly cannot. / should think from
the indications, however, that there
was an accident-that the magazine
exploded. How that came about | do
not know. For the present at least no
other warship will be sent to Havana"
Secretary Long has taken immediate
steps to make an investigation Late
this afternoon he telegraphed to Ad-
miral Sicard at Key West to appoint
board of naval officers to proceed at
once TO Havana. employ divers and
generally TO make such inquiries as
the regulations Of the Navy Depart
ment demanded shall be made in the
case Of the loss of ship.
The disaster is remarkable in that
only two officers lost their lives, and
these were Of junior grades. They were
Lieutenant Friend W. Jenkins and AS
sistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt.
The former was unmarried, but leaves
a mother and sister. The latter, it
is thought, also was unmarried, but
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE.

The anniversary OF the birthday OF
! Gen. Robert E. Lee, on the 18th day OF
January,was celebrated with more than
the usual enthusiasm throughout the
Southland. In many places, Northern
men and war veterans attended the
ceremonies. As the years pass. and the
passions expire, the men and women Of
the North have more consideration,
and even sympathy for many millions
OF people Of their own race, who were
reduced 70 poverty. in defending
cause which they believed TO be right.
Those killed on the battle field suffered
The least. The sufferers were and are
the survivors. who were left helpless
in the general wreck: the women who
for near IS years have struggled under
new conditions; the men who were left
without pensions. after serving in the
armies,
The people who have made such s
sacrifice, even if in the wrong. would
naturally commemorate the life of
their great leader. The living genera
ton, and the one that succeeds it, in
the great Southland Will not give UP
their beliefs in State rights, though the
sword has forced them TO submit. They
will retain il, not however. as g living
principle, but as dear and sacred sen
timent, which has cost them so much
blood and treasure Few. if any of
them. would now permit the restora-
ton Of slavery. Few if any. would 4
take up arms again for even State
rights 1t is The awful sacrifice which /
was made, that places before them.
General Lee as the ideal hero. In wor-
shipping his memory, they get some
compensation for their vast and pitt
able misfortunes-
The SouthernerS were conquered into
submission, justly. as the North be-
lieves. on the ground that there was no
power Of secession in the Federal Con-
stituuon- Yet the State of New York
n ratifying the Constitution in 1857.
declared that: The powers of the
Government may be reassumed by the
PEOPLE whensoever il shall become ne
.essary for their happiness" But this
State sent into the field during the
Evil war, vast army 10 enforce the
ontrary doctrine. Seventy years of ,
bought and experience made the /;
Northern people accept the doctrine of
he inviolability of the Union.
But the moral of it all was, that
ocrines must be established and held
y the bayonet The Right can only :
old its own when il carries the big
est club.
Even Grant. the great general on the
-nion side. in his later days showed =
n increasing and warm respect for the !,
len whom ne had defeated, for he .
new that he had established the law. !
OF by reason or moral force, but by
word and artillery. But he did no, :
asret it
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25

the department was unaivsSed c0n-
corning his family
Captain Sigsbee telegraphed this At
ernoon: Advise sending a ~rsckin4
vessel at once. The Maine Is suhmsr-
ged except debris. Mostly WORK fer
divers now. Jenkins and Merits SIN
missing. Little hope for their safety.
Those known to be saved are. 0Hcers
"A. uninjured; crew IS. wounded noe
on board the Ward line steamer. IN ths
City Hospital and hotel. 50. 80 fzr AZ
known. All others went sosn "a
board or near the Maine The total
list OF missing Is s5S.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
THE KLONDIKE MISERY.

The dispatches sent by the army
officers in the Klondike, 10 the War
department in Washington on the con
dition OF the inhabitants, contained
such important news that a Cabinet
meeting was Immediately held for the
purpose OF taking strong action
Many thousands OF free and en-
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25

President Dole gave to the world an ex-
cellent example of forgiving those who
despitefully abuse us. But his forgiv-
ing spirit made Mr.. Cleveland very mad
indeed. Why does not Senior de LONE
quote this case. in his own defenses
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25
MARRrLL TALKS IN OPPOSITION
Says Hawaii Greatly Exaggerated Com
mercially.
Call Office. Riggs House,


Call Office, Riggs House,
Washington, February 16.
Senator Morrill, of Vermont occupied
the entire time OF the executive ses-
sion of the Senate today in a speech
opposing the annexation of Hawaii.
The speech was intended to show that
the acquisition of the Hawaiian ISL
ands would be against both good po-
Icy and the traditions of this country.
He had always stood against the ac-
QUESTION of distant lands, and was
still opposed to that policy as one cal
eulated to undermine the integrity of
the Republic.
Mr.. Morrill, said that, commercially.
Hawaii had been vastly exaggerated.
and contended that the annexation
would result in the inevitable des-
truction of the beet sugar industry of
the United States because of the inab-
ility of American labor to compete
with the coolie labor employed on the
Hawaiian plantations.
From military point of view be
argued that the control of Hawaii
would be a source of weakness rather
than of strength, because a navy
would be required for its defense in
time of war, while in time of peace we
should not need the Islands on this
account.
Senator Morrill, quoted with especial
emphasis a letter from Daniel Web
ster, dated in 1913, advising the main
tenance of the independence of the ISL
ands, and closed with an appeal to the
people of the United States to continue
this policy.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-02-25

We publish with some reluctance the
proceedings of the Cocoanut Club. II
is doubtful if such mushroom societies
are benefit TO our community. When
the Honolulu Library contains so many
useful modern books on grave topics.
that are not read. it seems i'll advised
to permit ephemeral trash to be pub
lished. The time OF our young people
might be better employed in studying
the formation OF coral reefs, so as to
improve the formation of their own
character; also. in studying, through
the papers OF the Historical Society
the migration of the early Polynesians.
so that some way may be discovered
Tor facilitating the migration of Jap
lnese beetles to another group of ISL
lnds.