Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-29
The Gallant @ MAander Of the Maine
Reaches Washington.
TOUCHED At EVIDENCES OF ESTEEM
He is Ready ID; Any Duty Under
the Starry Flag.
AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT

Capt Sigsbee, the brave commander of
| the Maine, arrived In Washington this
morning at 7:4O O'Clock. He was accom-
panied by Chief Engineer Howell, Naval
Cadet Holden, Paymaster Ray and Sur
geon Hennelberger The latter left imme-
diateiy for his home in Virginia. Capt
Sigsbee was driven directly to his residence.
No. 1882 Riggs place. As the carriage
turned into Riggs place from 10th street
the face of its occupant lighted up with
pleasure at the sight of the scores of Amer
lean flags, big, little and medium Sized
that were thrown out from the house fronts
on either side of Riggs place. A royal well
come naturally awaited him from his de-
voted wife and his interesting daughters,
and he also had.the pleasure of making
the acquaintance of a new grandchild.
After removing the stains Of travel and
breakfasting, Capt. sigsbee spent couple
Of hours with his family and then proceed
ed to the Navy Department to report to
Secretary Long.
II the gallant commander of the Maine
had arrived last night. whens his family
and the general public expected him, he
would have been still more impressed with
the feeHng entertained for him by the peo-
pie Of Washington All the houses on
Riggs place were brilliantly illuminated,
and from most of them floated flags and
bunting. very large crowd began to
gather about 8 o'clock in Riggs place and
an hour and a half later the entire street
and the vacant lots opposite the Sigsbee
residence were crowded with gathering
Of about 1900 people. There was a very
large crowd gathered at the 9th street
depot also when the 9:35 train arrived
When it was found that Cspr. Sigsbee did
| not come at that time most of the people
waited for the next train from the far
south. which arrived at II 80, and still bore
Its disappointment good naturally when
this. too, failed to bring the popular tray-
eler.
| Capt. Sigsbee brought with him the floral
| ship that was presented to him just before
| his departure from Havana, and a large
number of other floral offerings that were
presented to him during his journey home
Their faded remains this morning were in
| the captains paaor and made striking
contrast to the freshness of some of the
magnificent offerings Of similar character
| sent to him last night. although the santi-
ment of all was equally fragrant. Two of
these latter tributes were particularly ex-
quisite. From the photographic office was
sent vase of American beauty roses, and
| from Mr.. ]. Maury Dove was very large
| of unusual length, from one side of which
| foated the American flag and from the
ether the Union Jack
Ready for Any Duty.
At 1880 o'clock the captain arrived at
| the Navy Department to report his arrival,
and in the courscsof d conversation hessaid
that he had notiyet received any assign
ment to duty, nor did he know what COM
| mand would be given him. He would be
| ready, however, as soon as he could get his
wardrobe replenished to 90 anywhere or
perform any duty that might be given him.
He had not yet made any formal written
report to the department on the loss OF the
Maine, but would do 50 as soon as he had
little time at his disposal. AS to the
cause of the wreck. Capt. Sigsbee said that
he could add nothing to his testimony be-
fore the court Of inquiry which had already
been published.
The Spanish Board of Inquiry.
The Spanish officials were making an in
quiry into the cause of the disaster but
what their conclusions were, If any had
been arrived at, he did not know. few
divers under the direction of some nom
commissioned officer were working leisure
ly about the wreck, but he had understood
that the court was paying special attention
10 OUTSIDE udLkeTS.
They had found he had heard. that be-
cause there were no dead fish in the harbor
after the explosion showed that the explo-
sion did not create such a disturbance Of
the water might have been expected had
the force come from the outside However,
this was only hearsay. he having no knowl-
edge of their proceedings.
Bitter Feeling Against This Country.
The captain said that, as every one knew,
the general feeling among Spaniards in
Havana was bitter against this country,
but he did not know whether the proposed
sending Of governmental aid would meet
with any serious opposition The captain
said he knew very little of the general sit
uation, and therefore had formed no opiu-
ion as to whether this country was likely
to become involved In war with Spain.
Residents of Havana. he said knew little
or nothing Of what was occurring in Mad
rid beyond what Is reported in American
newspapers. The captain seemed in good
health and spirits. considering the intense
strain that had been upon him during the
last six weeks, and felt himself physically
At to perform any duty which should be
assigned to him.
- M