The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-23
NAMES VICTIMS.
Bill For Their Relief Proposed
by tho Naval Committee.
TO INCREASE THE ARMY.
Senate Passes a Bill to Add Two
A~ More Regiments. -...-.....
lTSyS$ ss:sssssss
THE MAINE COURT OF INQUIRY.

The Members Visit Captain General
Blanco and Are Cordially Received.
The Divers Recovered Fourteen Un-
recognizable Bodies-To Be Provid-
ed with Electric Lights For Their
Under Water Notwithstanding Moro
Divers From New York.
7 Washington, Feb. 23.-All the gov
ernment departments We're closed in
Washington yesterday save the navy
department, where few of the officials
assembled to receive any dispatches
that might arrive and to close the con-
tract with the wreckers for the recov-
cry of the effects on the Maine and the
vessel herself. The signing of the
wrecking contract was the most import
ant event Of the day, and this coll
cluded, the officials closed up shop and
went home to enjoy respite from the
rush of the past week. Captain Sigsbee
was heard from in dispatch which in
dicates that close attention will be given
to the coal bunkers by the naval court
of inquiry at Havana.
Legislative provision for the relief Of
the victims Of the Maine disaster c.
cupied the house committee on naval
affairs all day yesterday, general
measure being agreed on late in the
afternoon similar to the relief mea sure
that followed the Samoan disaster in
1889. The resolution was finally passed
on at special meeting OF the commit.
tee this morning. 1t will be immedi-
ately reported by Chairman Bou!e!lc,
and its passage expedited. Though
based on the precedent OF the Samoan
bill approved Feb. 10, 1890, it ignores
the differentiation then made between
the injured and the uninjured su vlv-
Ors, and its terms are general instead
OF citing individuals. Any losses sus-
tained by the survivors will be made
good to the extent of not exceeding 10
months pay, and provision is made for
bringing the remains back to this coun-
try at the discretion Of the naval au-
thorities. The relief funds are to be
paid first to the wife or children of the
victim, then to the parents, or if here
arc neither of these relations, then to
relations. The pay of the deceased Is
to be continued to these at least three
months.
The navy department received dis
patch from Captain Slgsbee last even
ing saying that II more bodies had
been recovered from the wreck Of the
Maine. All the remains are unidenti-
fled. 1t is not thought any bodies will
be identified hereafter unless by the
clothing. Aside from the effect of long
Eubmersion, the men still missing were
nearly all directly under the main deck,
which was blown up and the tremen-
oous force of the explosion probably
blotted scores Of them out OF existencs
entirely
Officials unquestlonably have been for
some time preparing for any emergency
that may arise, but appearances at'the
department would indicate that any
necessary orders have already been
given, and that the situation was not
one calling for immediate activity at
Washington. The Castine and Cincin-
natl, In accordance with orders made
known some time ago. are to move fur
ther north to West Indian waters and
ordered to be in readiness and may be
sent to New York later.
The senate yesterday passed a bill 10
add two artillery regiments to the
strength Of the army. This measure
has been urged for many months by
officials of the war department, who
foresaw that, while congress of late
years had taken measures for the pro-
lection of our coasts by considerable
appropriations for defensive works and
great guns, 1t had not provided the men
necessary to operate these engines of
war. Should the house pass the bill, as
1t undoubtedly will, it will enable the
department to carry out plans 1t has
long had in view.
Criticisms lately passed on the state
Df the army and our Notifications has
raused increased activity in military
matters, and the same extent this is
responsible for reports arriving from
various quarters of movements at army
posts. A report was circulated that
General Miles. as commander of the
army, had issued additional orders for
troops at all forts to be on the alert
and ready for immediate action, but
this was promptly denied by the gem
erals chief of staff. Nothing whatever |
of sensational character occurred in |
was free Of rumors by comparison with
lis immediate predecessors for the past
week or more.