The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-17
PHILLIP INTER VIEW ED
COMMANDER OF THE TEXAS VERY
CLOSE NOTIFIED.
Hnyc Been IN Accidental
Explosion.

Galveston, Texas. February 1.-THE
Tribune this evening prints tho following
story of how the officers OF the warships
now In Galveston harbor received the news
OF the disaster that befcll tho Maine last
night:
The first news OF the destruction of tho
battieshlp Maine In the harbor Of Havana
last night was conveyed TO The Officers of
the batteshp Texas and gunboat Nash
vile OF an carly hour this morning by the
market boats that went Off to them. The
news apread through the ships like wild
Hire and created immense excitement. The
meager details were caught UP and dis
, cussed In the ward room and fo-castle
alike, The officers were dumbfountled.
| The men We're dumfoundcd. There Is
! nothing In the records of tho American
navy to equal the incident, and 1T took
| both officers and men some time to realize
| what had really happened. The Maine
had SO recently been with the fleet of Ad-
iniral Sicard, TO which the Texas and
| Nashville are attached that her officers
and men are known personally to the Of
| fieers and men OF the ships now in Calves
| ton harbor This in itself heightens the
| interest OF the navy men here
Then, again, the fact that. despite what
the diplomats may say, it is known that
relations between Spain and America are
| strained TO Il tension which threatens 10
snap them ut any moment is wen known.
ihls phase OF the affair is eagerly dis
| clased by both officers and mon.
/ went Out TO the Texas at an early
hour this afternoon TO ascertain what Of
lecJ II any, the disaster would have upon
the programme of the ships here Captain
Phillip Of the Texas was ON deck and
greeted me cordially, He is one of the
most approaohabe Uen in the service, He
does not hedge himself about with that
DIVINITY which Is supposed to surround
KING and the commander OF a big Worship
IN the United states navy He Is one oi
those plain-spoken officers whom the
American people love to honor and In
whom they feel the greatest possible pride.
While Captain Phillip was anxious for
all the news he could got. he was receptive
ana not communicative, Tho naval regil.
iatious preclude his discussing such a
matter In the sense OF the effect 1t viii
have upon the diplomatic relations of tho
TWO countries. But no was emphatic I'm
The opinion that II would be a practical.
physical lmnussihilty for the explosion TO
have been caused through any accidental
means.
Then what caused the destruction Of the
Name Tho officers here do not know
u they do or have any theories they are
very careful 10 ls,iard them Well
Captain phillips sharp brown eyes fair
ly blnaed as he talked to mo about The de
ploraba nlfalr. But he MOS careful to
touch Only npon the tragedy without in any
way discussing It's possible results.
u have had no orders froin Washing
ton so far" said he. ~ can tell nothing
M TO the movement OF my ship OF course.
beyond my present orders, But | would
not be surprised 10 receive orders 10 pro-
coed to Key West 10 rejon the ilae of
Admiral Sicard In the meantime the
programme agreed VI on when | arrived
VIII be adhered to- | have given seventy
lVe men shore leave, and they arc now or
Tor town They have not had liberty for
some time, and viii no doubt make the |
most OF e."
After leaving the Texas called al the
Nashville, There was abundant evidence |
OF suppressed excitement aboard that YES
sci. Tho mon were llstless about their |
work, and one young officer confessed 10 |
me mat ne was more engrossed IN thoughts
OF the Maine disaster than hi was OF his |
routine duties.
Our men are intensely excited. Hut |
there Is nothing for us TO do but wait for
1nrther news Are We ready for omor. |
Gences? We ARE always ready
II Is this spirit among the officers of .he
navy winch renders them a pride 10 their |
country and an honor to their flag
CAPTAIN Maynard OF the Nashville Is a
quiet, unassuming gentleman OF great re-
serve. ! salutcd him when boarded the |
NASHVILLE, but being Junior IN command OF |
the ships here he naturally had nothing 10 |
say officially or otherwise Of the Maine
affair. '"'"e
The officers of the Nashville with whom. |
| discussed the matter did not take the |
same Wow as those on the Texas ~ Ia the |
vessels being ordered away from EalyeSton (,
immediately TO reioln the flag OF ADMIRAL.
Sicnrd at Key West They Incline IN No
opinion thar IN the absence of run In
yestigation as to the loss az the Name any !
hastv modifying OF warships off The coast |
OF Cuba would not he considered advisable
from dinIomatic standpoint
asked Captain PHILLIP II In the event OF
MS receiyinr orders to proceed to Kew
West he would advise the nubiic OF them /
ana ne declared that he would
-----a<----.~.---.i
Preparations nj Key Wrst
Washington, February is~-A dispatch
this evening from Cantaln Forsythe al Kew /
West says he has made arrangements with
cantain Morrill, commanding Key West /
barracks, 10 quarter and xnbsist the surviy-
nrs Of the crew who cnme on tho steamer
0livette tonight. The treasury departnen, |,
has granted the use OF the marine hospital 4
service at Key West for the treatment OF 4
any Of the wunndcd who may be brought
here fof treatment