The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-27
EypL0SION STILL AN ENIGMA.
,,vrsu STORY SEEMS TO KNOCK
OFT EXTERNAL THEORY.

uo,,er Theory Having Also Been Ex-
,oded Leaves the magazine The
orv the Probable True ExpIana-
,ton of the DfsaSter-SiGsbee RE-
or,s No New Developments-MOn
,.or Terror starts for New York
c.ntser Chicago to BE MOdernized
l.. tbe Matter of Armament.
washington, Feb. 2e-In the absence Of
..u.s from Havana on any subject except
-, 5isnosition of the dead bodies, the Off
.,ol mind turned to-day to the analysis of
be spanish statements, made with more
=, less degree of official sanction, respect
inc the total absence of submarine mines
from Havana harbor, and it was regarded
bv the navy department as negativing the
mine theory of an external cause for the
explosion, just as recent letters put an
srd TO the exploding boiler theory as an
Internal cause for the disaster.
Norbing was heard from the court of in
ouirv and the department is still ignorant
Of its plans. In fact the only news was
contained in the following dispatch from
Capt. sigsbee:
Havana, Feb. 26.--Have succeeded in
making arrangements by which bodies
NAV be sent to Key West in Theoretically
sealed zinc cases. Refer to Forsythe for
burial in Key West. Probable that bodies
hereafter cannot be recognized. Probable
bodes will not remain intact. Condition
Of bodies require immediate action. Jen-
kns and Merritt may be recognized by un-
form. Secure health certificate from
health authorities at Key West for bodies
to land there. Divers cannot get down
after bodies. Much debris. Win clear it
away Wainwright placed in charge of
wreeking matters. sigsbee."
The following reply was sent:
washington, Feb. 26.-Sigsbee, Havana:
Referring to your telegram of this date.
Send bodies that may hereafter be recov-
cred to Key West for burial. Send by
Bache. Long"
To Key West dispatch was forwarded
as follows;
Washington, Feb. 2e.-To Naval Station,
Key West: Sigsbee ordered to send bodies
that may hereafter be recovered to Key
hermetcally sealed zinc cases. Make neces-
sary arrangements. Bodies will arrive by
Bache."
1t is expected at the department that
there are probably in the neighborhood of
fifty bodies remaining to be discovered and
extricated from the wreck.
The double turreted monitor Terror
started TO New York this evening from
Hampton Roads under orders received to-
day She will be a most powerful reinforce
ment to the defenses of the commercial
metropolis in case of need and stationed
in the Narrows it would be difficult for
any hostile ship TO pass her. With
the exception of the training
ship Essex, which arrived at Hampton
roads to-day, and the Brooklyn, which ar
rived at ST. Lucus, probably to coal on
her way to La Guayara, distant 800 miles,
this was the only naval movement to-day.
There were a number of alarming stories
as to heavy shipments of ordnance from
the Washington navy yard to New York
lor the arming of the auxiliary navy. 1t
Is sald 1t the department that so far none
oil these small guns have been shipped
. To-day, but that a few for the Chicago,
probably fourteen 5-inch rapid fire guns
viii be dispatched Monday or Tuesday.
with these guns in place, the Chicago
would be pretty well moderniZed in the
matter of armament.
Inc Dolphin is 10 go into commission in
New York on March "a. Although rated
as 'he Presidents yacht, the vessel which
mas been properly overhauled and furnish
ca with new boilers and decks, carries even
now sufficient battery to make her, when
speed Is taken into account, very effect
i've gunboat.
Inc officials of the war department have
completed all the preliminary arrange
nehts for the immediate execution of the
ON which is expected TO become a law
"llhln the next few days, providing for
Two additional regiments of artillery.
mere viii be no difficulty whatever in
securing the men, as applications for en-
isttlent have been received far in excess
VI the number required, viz: 1910 men.
Nreat care will be taken in the recruiting,
9nd 1I only the best men will be accepted.
lHuer the law all the men must be citi-
4e"s "s oil the United States. 1t is probable
,n"' Ihe ranks will be recruited to a
-alse extent from men who have already
TrINeo one or more terms in the army.
'iyH me two new regiments there will be
e'eu regiments of artillery and the total
,,i ,ieisth OF the army, including the hospi-
t "l corps, ordnance and engineer battal-
, o"9 ana the West Point detachment will
~ increased to nearly 1900 men.