The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-04
Inquiries from Japan, Germany and
sweden Concerning sailors Lost
in the Havana Disaster.
WORK ON CIVIL WAR MONITORS
ANCIENT CRAFT TO BE INSPECTED
AND PUT IN FIGHTING SHAPE.
Officers of the MiantOnOmOh Ordered
to Report for Duty-The Column
bia and the Minneapolis.

WASHINGTON, March 8. = Secretary
Long said at the close of his day at the
Navy Department that no word had been
received from the court of inquiry, and that
no orders had been or would be given as to
the movements of the court from Key West,
as the court was fully authorized to shape
its own movements The original orders of
the court were issued by Admiral sicard,
commander of the fleet to which the
Maine belonged, and it has the technical
status of an admiral's court, reporting di-
rectly to him both as to it's movements and
as to its final report on the cause of the
disaster. The understanding here is that
the court has not concluded it's work, but
will return to Havana to take testimony
which has been delayed by the difficulties
in the way of the divers. That Admiral
Sicard expects this move back to Havana
was shown by a dispatch from him a few
days ago suggesting that arrangements be
made for a vessel to take the court back.
As the lighthouse tender Mangrove has
been doing this service, the Treasury De-
partment was asked to assign the Man
grove for the return of the court to Key
West and this was done. With these
rangements concluded, it is said at the
Navy Department that the court will pro-
ceed without consulting officials here.
If the progress of the inquiry at Havana
depends upon the work of the wreckers, as
seems to be the case, for nothing of sub
stantial Importance can be achieved until
the heavy debris is removed from the
wreck, considerable delay must inevitably
occur. TO tow the large derricks from Bos-
ton and New York to Havana is never a
speedy and seldom safe undertaking. AS
a matter of fact, the derrick Chief, at Nor
folk, is now storm-bound just inside of the
Chesapeake capes although it was fully ex-
pected that by this time she would be far
below Hatteras. This makes it impossible
that the derrick can reach Havana harbor
and get at work much before the middle of
next week. AS for the big derrick Monarch,
which is required to raise the turrets and
extremely heavy weights from the hull, the
date for her sailing has not been set al
though the department has inquired of the
contractors on that point.
AMERICAN CHARITY.
Arrangements are being made for the trip
of the cruiser Montgomery and gunboat
Nashville to Cuban ports with relief sup
plies. The Navy Department was advised
to-day that the Mallory line steamer leav-
ing New York next Saturday would carry,
free Of charge, seventy-five tons of sup
plies, to be transferred to the Montgomery
and Nashville at Key West. The Mallory
steamer is expected TO take about four days
in the run down the coast, so that the
transfer to the war ships and their start for
Cuba cannot be made before next Thurs
day. The two war ships were poorly adapt
ed for carrying supplies, having scant quar-
ters for their own supplies of cordage, pro-
visions, canvas and ships equipment. 1t is
only because they can make the run in day
light that any attempt is made to carry the
seventy-five tons of supplies. These will be
stored on the spar deck and with good
weather the daylight run will not subject
them to any damage.
The relief measures are proving unex-
pectedly successful, the supplies running
into the carloads and hundreds of tons. The
State Department has had notice from the
Cuban relief committee at New York that
there were shipped on March 1 from New
York to Santiago 100000 pounds of relief
supplies; on the I'd, to Havana, $4,000
pounds; to-day, to Matanzas, 100000 pounds,
and to Sagua la Grande. 900 pounds. In
these shipments are 100000 grains of quinine
consigned to each of the ports except Ha-
vana.
Chairman Barton, of the central Cuban
relief committee, has advised the State
Department that donations are coming
forward in great abundance, not only In
money, but more particularly in the form
of provisions, from all directions. The Ore
gon committee promises ten carloads and
possibly twenty, and Omaha, Minneapolis
and other Western committees are offering
shipments by the carload. We had to-day
on the pier of the Manson line nearly one
hundred tons ready for their steamer, sail
ing Friday, which they had kindly offered
to take to Matanzas and Sagua''
The Maine relief fund, under Mrs. Longs
management, to-day reached total of So
11S. A most substantial evidence of sympa-
thy for the survivors of the Maine and the
families of the victims came to hand at
the Navy Department to-day in the shape
of a check of $500 from President Dole, of
Hawaii. The money was turned into the
Maine relief fund.
WILL FOREIGNERS ASK INDEMNITY?
The State Department has ascertained,
at the instance of the japanese legation,
that the following japanese were on
board the Maine at the time of the dis
aster: l. Sugisaki, o. Ishita, s. ChiEji. M.
Oye, U. Kitagata, T. Magazine and X
Suguk There was a disposition in some
quarters to attach considerable signif-
canoe to this statement. AS far as could
be learned in official circles the informa-
tion was given at the request of the Japa-
nese legation. for the purpose of allowing
the legation to notify friends and relatives
Soon after the disaster the Navy Depart
ment sent the Japanese legation an unofi-
ciaI list of the Japanese on board the
Maine at the time OF she disaster The
peculiar character of Japanese names
caused some confusion in identitica-