Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-17
LAST NIGHTS DISPATCHES,
Reports From Gen. Lee and Capt
SiEsbee.


Sigsbee.
Hard work and harder waiting and ex-
pectancy marked the evening for most of
the department officials whose duties con-
nected them in any way with the Maine
disaster. Secretary Long, who had been
aroused at 2:30 am, when the news first
reached Washington, was thoroughly tired
out, and went to bed unusually early. He
turned over to Lieut. Whittlesey the re-
ceiving of all dispatches relating to the
disaster, with orders, following out those
of the President at the cabinet meeting, to
make public everything relative to the af-
fair. Very little was received that would
throw light on the situation, but nearly a
hundred private kilograms came from
friends and families of the officers and
crew, begging for specific news of the loved
ones and relatives who were with the fated
ship. Replies were made to such inquiries
as could be answered.
The State Department was on the alert
for news both from Havana and from
Minister Woodford at Madrid, but beyond
a second message from Gen. Lee expressing
the hope that public excitement in the
United States would be repressed and de-
failing additional courteses at the hands
of the Spaniards in Havana, nothing was
received.
The effort of all government officers to
remain calm in the face of the shocking
disaster and it's attending mystery was ap-
parent, and number of naval officers vol
unteered theories in support Of the acct
dent hypothesis, all Of which, in the alb
sence of any facts on which to base rea-
sonable opinion, were decidedly unsatisfy-
ing.
At the White House the President spent
the evening till midnight in his office.
There was official conference on the
disaster, however. and but one caller, Sem
ator Fairbanks Of Indiana, who merely dis
cussed the Maine catastrophe incidentally
with the other business which brought him
to the White House.
The President displayed the keenest in
terest in the appalling story and the deep
est sympathy for the sufferers. and 1t was
at his suggestion that the order half mast
ing all government flags was issued.
General Lees Report.
The following cablegram was received by
the State Department from Consul General
Lee at Havana last night:
profound sorrow expressed by govern
ment and municipal authorities, consuls Of
foreign nations. organized bodies of all
sorts and citizens generally. Flags at half
mast on governor generals palace, on ship
ping in harbor, and in city. Business sus-
pended. theaters closed. Dead number
about go. Officers quarters being in rear
and seamens forward where explosion took
place accounts for greater proportional loss
of sailors. Funeral tomorrow at 3 pm.
officers Jenkins and Merritt still missing.
Suppose you ask that naval court Of inquiry
be held to ascertain cause Of explosion.
Hope our people will repress excitement
and calmly await decision"
Late last night the following dispatch
from Capt. Sigsbee, at Havana, was re-
ceived by Secretary Long:
"All men whose names have not been
sent as saved probably are lost. Have CIV
en- up Jenkins and Merritt as lost. Bodies
are still floating ashore this afternoon.
keep nine officers, one private and gun
mo- a 70 Qr,1In plrl hnro II
A dispatch from Capt. Philip Of the Tex
as. now at Galveston, states that the drafts
OF twenty-one apprentices which they car
ried from New York for the Maine are still
on board the Texas
Flags Half-Masted.
The President has ordered that today, and
until further notice, the flags at all navy
yards and on naval vessels, at posts army
headquarters and on all public buildings
shall be half masted.