The San Francisco call., 1898-02-25

effect that several weeks ago a con- tractor who had been engaged in plac- ing sewers at the United States bar racks in this city asserted there had been awarded to him a contract to do similar work in Havana. It is known that this contractor did revisit Ha vana, also that he engaged the serv- ices of a young man residing in this place. It is now alleged that this con- tractor carried some dynamite from here which he said was to be used in excavating and other work connected with his contract It is likewise said that before leaving for Havana he was a frequent visitor at the Spanish con- sulate in this city, and that prior to the sailing he obtained some letters of introduction from the officials of the consulate.
 The story now told is that his mis- sion to Havana was to place dynamite bombs in Havana harbor, but that he did not do the work in person. It is alleged that he prepared the plans and another man carried out the dirty part of the plot under his supervision.
 The story is told to-day by young man who accompanied the contractor to Havana, but he professes to know nothing of the work done, which was accomplished by the mysterious per son engaged by the contractor. This person is said to have disappeared.
 The standing of this contractor and the high chasacter of his associates throughout this State would unite to make a great sensation here if his name were made public in connection with the story of the disaster.
 In connection with the claim made by the Cubans that there are mine galler- ies under the harbor of Havana lead ing from subterranean passages and known to have existed for years before the construction of Fort CabanniS and Morro Castle, the Spaniards ex- plain that for over century subter nanean passage about two miles long and eight feet at it's narrowest diam eter, capable of giving passage to a col umn of troops, has existed from the navy yard to Castillo del Principe.
 But, the Spaniards further assert, the existence of this passage was not known to the present authorities or to those who have been in power for many
 
 1t is added, have been closed for years past by thick walls now covered with debris, and their exact location is said to be lost. At the same time, it Is ad- mitted that matter regarding the sub terranean passage can be found in old documents contained in the archives of Havana. Finally the Spaniards in- sist that this passage does not go under the harbor at any point.
 The arrival of the steamer Olivette from Havana last night differed in no respect from any of her previous trips, notwithstanding stories that Consul General Lee would arrive by the steamer and be accompanied by the entire American colony of Havana, or dered by Lee to seek safety in flight before it was too late. AS a matter of fact less than a dozen Americans ar rived, several of whom make regular weekly trips between Havana and this port on business.
 Scores of correspondents, more, really, than there were passengers, were on hand ready to interview the new arrivals, but they had their trouble for nothing, as the few who did talk could furnish nothing additional to what was already known here.
 From one of the passengers I learned that General Lee had advised several Americans who were visiting Havana with their families for pleasure, if they felt any uneasiness to return to the States at once.
 Among the passengers who arrived was Lieutenant Holman of the ill- fated Maine, who received a hearty welcome on the wharf from Comman- der Forsythe and Paymaster Jewett of this naval station, and the officers of the Maine who are still quartered at the hotel here. Like all the other offi- cers. Lieutenant Holman declined to be l but expressed the opinion tn 1t the Board of Inquiry would finish | it's investigation within the next few days. and leave for Key West, where the session will be continued.
 Considerable indignation has been | expressed tome to-day by officers of the | Maine at the action of certain New York papers in publishing fake in- | terviews with them and reproducing | letters alleged to have been written by | them to relatives and friends in the North giving accounts of the disaster to the Maine and describing their sen sations during the explosion. One of | the most indignant is Lieutenant Cat lin, whose signature, he says, was at tached to fake" letter published in a sensational paper, and alleged to be addressed to relative in New Jersey. | It was printed under sensational head lines, but he characterizes it as fraud of the first magnitude.
 Mrs. Sicard, wife of the admiral, ar rived this afternoon by steamer from Miami, and was joined by her husband, who, with some of his personal staff from the flagship New York, came up