Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-02-26

people have been greatly mfsruder.
stood in this country. They all desire
peace; they all want peace with
America and Americans, not only from
motives Of policy but because they
love America. I'm forced to say now
by this terrible affair what / should
have been precluded from saying be-
fore. There is no country in the world
l love as ! do America. / love the coun-
try and people and it is with the keen
est regret / take my leave as a result
Of this unfortunate letter incident.
Nearly all the prominent Spaniards
and men Of influence in my country
share my views in regard to America.
Spain cannot afford to go to war with
the United States. If only from mo-
tives of policy they are determined not
to have war. Such a thing Is out OF the
question. If the Maine was blown up
in Havana harbor it was the result of
ar accident, that's certain. There will
be no war"
Fought the Fire.
New York, Feb. 16.-A kilograms
special from Havana says: Captain
Sigsbee was on deck when the explo-
sion came. 1t was in the bow. The
sentry stationed there was unhurt. lie
had teen nothing suspicious.
Here are a few names of the survi-
vors brought ashore: Lostus, private
marine; Shea, Gartner, c. A. Smith,
Load, Durkee. Kane. McNair. auske,
Bronan, l have talked with ecme Of
the officers and seamen. One of the
officers said, When I got on deck a fire
had started forward. There was a
good strong breeze. A call for all
hands on deck was promptly .obeyed
and the men and officers were perfect
ly cool. All possible efforts were made
to check the flames, but without avail.
The flames spread rapidly until seve-
eral explosions occurred. The maya
zines we're burst open and explosives
were thrown overheard. In half an
hour it was apparent that nothing
could save the ship"
Ex-Prcsidept Harrison Talks.
indianapolis, Feb. 16.-When cx-
President Benjamin Harrison was
asked by the Associated Press for n
statement regarding the destruction
of the United States battleship Maine
he said: 1T it certainly most terribly
shocking. 1t is to be hoped invcstiga-
ton may leave no doubt that IL was an
accident. If there should be any room
for suspecting foul play it would be
very unfortunate"
Fire DID IL.
Madrid, Feb. 16.-The first news re-
ceived here direct from Havana said
the explosion on the Maine was caused
by fire, as that warship was enveloped
in flames afterwards and sank.
Many Are Missing.
Havana, Feb. 16.-Two officers and
more than 200 of the crew of the bat
tleship Maine, wrecked i'm this harbor
by an explosion last night, are miss
ing. Some of the crew who were able
to swim kept aloat till they were
picked up by the boats.
Must Re an Accident.
London, Feb. 16.-A representative
Of the Associated Press communicated
the news of the disaster to the Maine
10 the Spanish ambassador here, Count
de Rascon, who was without informa-
ton on the subject. After expressing
his regret at the terrible occurrence
the ambassador said the explosion
must have been due to an ~unaccounta-
BILE accident as the visit of the Maine
to Havana was of n friendly nature.
The Only Parallel.
Washington, Feb. 16.-The only par
allel to the Maine horror in the histo-
ry of the United States navy was the
great Samoan disaster in March, 1859,
when four officers and f~orty-six men OF
the Pacific coast squadron, lost their
lives in a hurricane which swept the
harbor of Apia, Samoa, and surround
ing waters, March IS, and 16. When
this hurricane started there was in
the harbor OF Apia the following men
Of war: United States ships Trenton,
Vandalia and Nihsis; the British ship,
Calliope; the German vessels, Adlor,
olga and Eber, and few merchant ships
and small craft. Admiral Kimberly,
commanding the naval forces made the
department a long report on the disas-
ter in which he showed that notwith-
standing the utmost efforts of the Of
ticers and men and the display Of the
most expert seamanship the Nandalia
and Nihsis were wrecked on the reef.
The Vandalia lost four officers and
t~hirty-ninc men; the Nihsis seven
men and Trenton one man whose head
was smashed by al accident aboard
ship. The admiral's report showed the
Adler had been thrown high upon the
reef and careened on her side. that
the Olga was beached in good position.
He said the Eber was nowhere to be
seen and reported the Calliope as hav-
ing successfully run out of the har-
Dor during the beginning of the storm
returned showing signs Of having ex-
perienced heavy weather. In report
ing on the disaster Admiral Kimberly
said: During the entire time Captain
showed great care and good
Judgment in handling the ship
through this terrific gale and never
left the bridge. He was ably second
ed by his executive and navigating Of
ficers who did all i'll his power to save
the ship. I'm fact, so far as | could OBJ
serve all the officers behaved extreme
w well under trying circumstances
and performed the duties cheerfully,
effectively and as well as could be de-
sired. This disaster / classify among
the incidents and accidents ~insepara-
BILE from the prosecution of duty. 1t
is of n magnitude, however, that gives
il a distinguishing feature which for
tunately the service is rarely com
to witness"
SHADOW WAS ON THE MARKET