The herald., 1898-03-03

the preparation Of TIE death certificates fol
the families Of the victims OF the Maine
disaster. Captain Hawley, who has the
matter Immediately In charge: says thai
owing to the necessary formaiities these
certificates cannot be issued peiore Marcr
18th. and this answer is returned to numei-
Gus letters received at the department
daily.
II is said in the navigation bureau that
there Is a pressing need of able machinists
for the navy, caused by the heretofore un-
noted fact that every one OF the macnlnists
on the Maine lost his life in the explosion.
Moreover. all the firemen but one were
& Killed, The bureau has invited enlistments
from men who are now enjoying three
months period of time between enlist
ments, during which they may coole again
into the naval service without loss OF ser
vice record, 1t is hoped that some of them
will come forward to fill the places vacated
by the Maine disaster.
Sir Julian Pauncefote came to the state
department today bearing one or the for-
NAL expressions of deep sympathy with
the government over the loss OF the Maine
that have come now from every one OF the
British colonies. This latest message was
as follows:
"Sir-At the request of Sir Alfred Ma
loney, governor of the Windward islands,
1 have the honor to convey the heartfelt
sympathy of that colony with the govern
ment and people of the United States in
the loss sustained through the explosion
on board the Maine"
There is no unusual stir Of activity about
the bureaus of the quartermaster general
or the commssary general of the army,
where, more than anywhere else, the
preparations for warlike emergency
would be apparent. The officers of these
bureaus say no extraordinary accumula-
ton of supplies is taking place, and that
no contracts for extra supplies are in con-
temptation. In the ordnance bureau the
placing of a large order for projectiles is
the result of talk between Secretary Alger,
Senator Hawley of the senate committee
on military affairs and representatives of
the house military committee. 1t was
made clear 10 the secretary that it was
certainty that appropriations would be
forthcoming, and 1t was deemed the part
of wisdom to make the contract now, as
the supplies would not be in hand for some
months.
There has been considerable correspond
ence between Secretary Alger and projec-
tile manufacturers, the secretary express
ing the opinion in these letters that he was
not getting the terms that the government
was entitled to a this time. Senator Haw-
ley suggested that they be asked to come
to Washington, and as a result of their
visit satisfactory terms were made, and
the contract closed.
Tonight the navy department received a
telegraphic dispatch from Captain Sigs-
bee, which evidently was delayed in trans
mission.
1t announced the arrival at Havana this
morning of the wrecking lighter F. r.
Sharp under charge of Captain Fred r.
Sharp, of the Merritt company. Captain
Sgsbee stated that Captain Sharp probably
would begin work today. He also an.
nounced the arrival of the Spanish cruise
Vizcaya at Havana last night.
MUST BE PATIENT
WASHINGTON, March 2.-The Wash
ington Post will tomorrow print the fol-
lowing interview with Secretary Alger:
1.-The statement of Secretary Long that
Spains official participation in the dsas-
ter to the Maine has been practically elm
inated,' was merely an expression of per-
sonal opinion on his part. 1t is an injustice
to him, as well as to the administra ton,
to give official significance to his express
sion when he was particular at the time
to emphasize the fact that he was speak
ing simply as an individual. In the absence
of official facts-and can repeat what has
been said heretofore, that the public is
equally as we'll informed as the govern
ment-no member of the administration of
course can make official declaration touch
ing Spain's responsibility, moral or other
wise. There is not an iota of informatiin
as to the cause or origin of the explosion
upon which the government can at this
time form conclusion or base decision.
The verdict of the court of inquiry upon
that point must patiently be awaited"
Beyond this Secretary AlEer would not
be quoted, but he authorized the Post to
state most positively that no official infor-
nation was being withheld from the pub
lie; that the administration was adhering
strictly to the policy adopted by Secretary
Long, with the approval of the president
at the start to give the fullest publicity
to all facts coming officially to the DEPART
ments bearing on the loss of the Maine and
the 250 brave seamer.
SOBRAL SATISFIED
NEW YORK, March 2-Leutenant Com
mander Sobral, formerly naval attache of
the Spanish legation at Washingtin sailed
today on the steamer La Bretagne for
Havre. Many of the Spanish colony in New
York were at the pier to bid him farewell.
In anticipation of Lieutenant Command
er Sobral's departure the Junta Patriotica
Espanola sent cablegram to the minister
of the navy at Madrid as follows:
1.-The Junta Patriotica Espanola of the
United States regrets the departure of
Lieutenant Commander Sobral. His patri-
otc and valuable services are highly appre-
Cldttu ny lle Spttl.lStl COlOHNs
Today member of the Spanish colony
handed to Lieutenant Commander Sobral
the reply of the minister of the navy. 1t
read as follows:
II have to thank you for your telegram
regarding Lieutenant Commander Sobral
whose return to Spain has been ordered
that he may render her service
just before going aboard the La Bre-
tagne Lieutenant Commander Sobral said
to representative of the Associated Press
no remorse," he said, my conscience is
clear. sail contented.'
REPORTS FROM HAVANA
HAVANA, March 2.-The city is quiet to-
day, but the public and private greetings
to the Spanish cruiser Vizcaya, which ar
rived here last night, have not lessened in
fervor. The divers are working hard upon
the wreck of the Maine. 1t is feared that
many of the dead were blown to pieces,
which would account for the failure to find
their bodies where expected.
Senator Proctor has gone to Matanzas,
where he will spend the day. He was ac-
companied by Miss Clara Barton and Mrs
Ward. The trip can easily be made il one
day and eight hours may be spent in Ma
tanzaS.
The wrecking tug l. j. Merritt of the Mer-
ritt-Chapman Wrecking and Dredging
company. commanded by Capt. Wolcott, ar
rived here from New York this morning
and later in the day she moved a barge
near the wreck and commenced work
Fred j. Sharpe is here in charge of the |
company The Merritt is powerful boat. !
but another and bigger tug is exnoct cd |