The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-18

,,u wa Accidental.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Feb. 17.-The
government has settled back into a
waiting attitude In respect to the terri
bic marine disaster In Havana harbor.
Tho great shock caused by tho news
bu, giyen way to calmer and more
judicial state OF mind aud realizing
from tha events Of the day that the
eo,r, Of inquiry is the sole dependence
IN the search for the cause Of the
Names loss. The naval officials are
now resigned to await the results Of
tha. inquiry BY court named to-day
ty the navy department.
There was little new to add to the
sum Of Information as TO the disaster
during the forenoon. No kilograms
cane and all that could be cleaned was
a denial OF some absurd story or other
that crept Into print or became current
Gossip. All the news OF the day came
IN the late afternoon in the shape OF
Captain S!gsbee's report OF the author
izat!on Of the funeral OF his dead SAIL
crs, and General Lees graphic story Of
the terrible struggle for life IN the dark
Sull Of the Maine.
The officials at the navy department
devoted the day TO the effort to correct
the lists OF living and dead; to answer
Ing frantic telegraphIc appeals from
relatives OF men on the battleship and
last, but not least. In meeting with un-
waver!ns courtesy and patience the e1-
acting demands upon their time Of the
press representatives.
The disposition OF the survivors, Cap
tain Dickens, acting chief OF the naW-
CATION bureau. has been arranged for az
well as could be from this distance. The
wounded sailors In the Havana hosplt-
ais, on the Spanish flagship and else
where. not in condition to be brought
back 10 Key West, will be carefully
looked after By Miss Clara Barton, who
has been given carte blanche 20 buy
sayandeverythiag necessary, food cloth
Ing. 1elicacies and hire OF nurses and
physicians. The wounded able TO get
suoss TO Key West, will be taken care
osin the marine hospital there. The
sound survivors will be quartered in
the spare army barracks there.
As for the Maine. herself. notwith-
standing dlscouragins reports from
L!cuienan: Hood. as 70 her condition,
the navy department will make the et-
Tort TO raise her. While this Is reQulr-
ed BY every creditable sentiment, they
cay that they are bound to remove the
null i!om the small ilarbor in any case,
and 1t may be as easy or easier to raise
der as It would be TO destroy the hull
and machinery by the use OF divers
and dynamite. It Is believed that this
work can best be done by private
Frecking corporations. and negotiations
are already a.oot for placing The con-
tract oased on work by the day. at an
estimated cost OF 800, 600.
Al the navy department specific de-
MAJ was given OF the report emanatins
from Madrid taat torpedo hotil,a was
ABOUT 10 leave Key West for Cuba. 1t
was stated that only two torpedo boats,
tne cushing and the Ericsson, are at
Aey west and these have not been Or
aereo anu viii no. be ordered. accord
ing 10 present plans. TO Cuba. 1t was
strongly asserted that no present pur-
pose existed OF spndInc. onv w,rabio
there.
sesor du Bose, the Spanish charge de
ansses. had received no instruction up
@o ?. m. as 10 going 90 New York and
s!oppshs the Spanish ship vIzcaya from
enle!shS the port, and reports to this
eiiec. were d!scred!ted.
ihe air OF suppressed excitement
waioh characterized the movement OF
,He employees and visitors at the white
souse Yesterday was not noticeable to-
uay. IAere were comparatively few
tsnots curing the morning hours, and
.et considerable time In the middle of
sa t.s Gay the white house bore an almost
eeserted appearance. Oaly limited
numoe: OF members OF Congress- called
s s.ns tae morning and the interviews
we're we're oTiet Postmaster General Gary
& mss 1he only member OF the cabinet
~" called and his business related en-
"e's 70 departmental matters.
Assistant Secretary Day saw the
Hsssaent FOR few minutes, but he
Had nothing OF Importance to commu-
N'ca'e until after 4 O'Clock, when he
saffisd to the white house official in
inn ii9rma;lon OF the closing OF the De
tptHe letter Incident. So far "a could br
.hthed the only Information as to the
situation In Havana that reoch.d tbo
saota Ja.ueht dlrect came through tho AS
,, IN the Streets there was probably no
~ excitement than yesterday when
~ v peopie were loatn TO believe that
NJ. the circumstances the loss OF the
snaI nsne Could be traced to other than
spanish sources.
.,.,., t inc haGs throughout the CITY. in-
.,aalns those on the capitol and the dc.
'.'eht tnn.; buildings are flying Mt half
coIn. mls. today and among the others Is
vsI,t sI"HIuoud that OF Cuba Llbre.'
pnIi paieh i!!es from the stan on tho Hotel
;rs,, ;*,sn' tAe headquarters OF the Cuban
,ne evening In Washington was ao-
o',u,s'y devoid Of interest DO far as OF.
,h". nt circles were concerned. At che
,or "ts no nonse there Tas no. single vsi.
q, - no'n The correspondents In search
nv Nv ncws which did not arrive.
m, 'I,v navy department received bu,
o.e uiGpatch. O message from sI-sbce