Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-18
sIGsBEE MAKES REPORT.
Funeral in Havsna-what is Necessary In
the Mnlne Amir.

Washington, ID. c., Feb 1s.-The first
news to reach the navy department to-
day from the scene of the great naval
disaster at Havana was a belated tele,
gram Of last nights date from Captain
Slgsbee. reading as follows:
Nineteen of the Names dead We're
buried this afternoon with great civil.
ecclesiastical, naval and military cere>
monies and with all of the resources of
Havana brought into requisition. The
Spanish government under express di
rections of Gen, Blanco, the Bishop of
Haika, General Parade, Gen. Mantle
rola and the mayor of Havana, took
complete charge of all arrangements.
The bodies We're first laid in state in the
building of the city government of Ha-
vana where they We're covered with
floral and other emblems suitable to the
occasion, which were presented by offi-
Cials and other persons of Havana of
all shades of political opinion. They
We're escorted to the cemetery by rep
resentatives OF all the military, naval
and civil organizations and foreign con-
sulur officers and through u vast con-
course of people spreading over the
route. Gen. Lee, myself and officers
and men of the marine now here, to-
gether with Lieut.. Commander Cowles
and members of the Ferns crew, wers
given special carriages and convent
ences. Ground for the burial of all the
Maine's dead has been presented by
Gen. Blanco and the bishop Of Havana
in the beautiful cemetery Of Havana
Utmost sympathy and respect has been
shown. l am informed by the author
tiles that this is the second instance
only of such n demonstration having
been done to foreigners in the history
of Havana, 1t is inconceivable that a
greater demonstration could have becn
made. To me, personally, a great
/ ,at1pnha1s IN nlnnlA have pNnrRagpd
pathy for the Maine and for the United
| States government and people. The
remainder of the dead must, per force.
be buried with brief ceremony, which
will be conducted by ourselves, but the
| care and preparation OF the remains
will be with the Spanish authorities.
About forty in addition to those buried
have come ashore today. Very few are
| now recognizable. Even In the case OF
some of those who are hurt. but alive,
recognition was difficult.
/ have not for IA moment lost sight of
the grief of the families and friends Of
the members OF the crew, but / beg the
| department to explain to them that 1t
is irl practicable in fact, impossible, to
send the bodies home. Facilities are
| lacking and embalming Is necessary
to secure shipment even under the most
favorable circumstances. Embalming
is only imperfectly done here. VIII
wire all cases OF Identification. l main
tain organization among my small
force here but It can be well under
stood that the execution OF the work
with which VIC are charged is one of
much detail and difficult OF execution.
1t Is believed that all OF the depart
ment kilograms have reached me. l am
deeply grateful for the helpful senti-
ments and directions telegraphed by
the President and the department.
have the earnest help of all the officers
of the Maine now here, which was to
be expected under all circumstances.
A previous telegram sent today gives
the names of those buried by the Span
ish authorities. The flags of all ves-
sells, naval and merchant, in Havana
harbor. have been at half mast yester-
day and today. Shall send Mangrove
back to Key West tomorrow with eight
wounded. VIII wire names later. DR..
Glendenning, OF the army, will remain
with the wounded. Assistant Surgeon
Spear also came with the MangrOve.
but will be detained here on board the
Fern to accompany others OF the
wounded when they are ready to be re-
| moved. WIN put some divers at work
tomorrow. Divers requested OF Ad-
| miral Scard will he here Saturday
morning by the Olivette. Recovery OF
Names battery impracticable except
by regular wrecking outfit