Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-02-27
DOES NOT LOOK 50 VARL|EE.

Secretary Long Says That the Situa-
ion is Looking Much Better.
No Occasion for Alarm-NavalO Off
GERS Incline TO the Belief That
There Were No Mines or Torpe-
does in Havana Harbor = The
Shipment Of Guns and Movement
of War Vessels Are Explained as
the Execution of Plans Prepared
Before the Maine Disaster.
Washington, D. c., February 26.-
Secretary Long enjoyed a sound sleep
last night, the first he has had for
some time, and in consequence he felt
50 much refreshed this morning that
he decided TO abandon his proposed
absence from the Navy Department
and continue at his duties. So he was
early at his desk and in consultation
with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
and Captain Crowinshield, chief of the
naval bureau. AS TO the outlook he
thought things were looking much bet
Ter. He said the public ought not to
be under any Misrepresentation with
regard 10 naval movements; that so
far they had been the ordinary dis
positions which are made from time
10 time; for instance, the shipping of
guns to New York is to supply the
Chicago and other vessels, which are
under reconstruction there, and they
would go in any event. The gun fac
tory at Washington is where they are
made, and they are sent to various
points as the occasion requires. So,
100, the call for more men, he said, is
simply the revival of the recommends
ton in his annual report.
This statement by the Secretary evil
IDENTIFY was made to allay the impress
sion caused by the reports OF heavy
shipments of guns from the Washing
ton navy yard and other warlike meas
ures. The movements of some of the
warships, such as the Detroit and Mar
hlehead, toward Key West, already
had been shown to be in accordance
with orders not only made but pub
lished
IN THE NEWSPAPERS
as we'll before the Maine disaster, so
that the Secretarys explanation on
this point is only confirmatory OF the
statements of the subordinate ofilciais
Of the Navy Department.
The telegraph brought news this
morning of the arrival at Key West of
the two vessels. the Detroit oming
from Mobile, where she was sent to
participate in the Mardi Gras festivi-
ties and the Marblehead from New
Orleans. where she went for similar
purpose. The Detroit is going up to
The naval station to take on coal, and
both vessels will remain attached 10
the North Atlantic squadron. 1t is
again stated at the Navy Department
that the Montgomery, which mas Deen
ordered to drop down to Key west
rom Tampa, where she landed Captain
Crowinshield, has not received any
orders to proceed to Havana, and 1t Is
not vet decided when the orders VIII
issue, ii at all.
The attention of naval officers mas
been strongly attracted by the state
ment made by representatives OIL the
cnanish government TO the effect that
there were no mines or torpedoes Oh
any kind in Havana harbor. 1t can pc
said that this statement exactly agrees
with the inquiries that have been IN
,lar wav for many months by the
AGENTS of our government. for so taf'
II is said. they have been unable TO
sind The slightest evidence of the eX-
,stenre of any plan of defense III the
harbor nv means of mines or torpe-
does much less to locate them, as mas
been reported in some quarters. VI
course. the effect of this statement, IL
Il is to be accepted as conclusive ON
that point. is almost certain 10 mega
tive the supposition that the disaster
resulted from other than
ACCIDENTAL CAUSES,
as the almost unanimous testimony
1ere based on the history OF torpedo
work is 10 the effect that no single
.o!pedo of any known type could nave
caused the terrific wreck OF the Maine
In the pursuit of details some OIL the
ordnance officers, acting upon Lne
theory that the large ten-inch maya
zine forward was not exploded, nave
uaen looking into the contents OF the
smaller ana adjoining six-lnch maya
zines They find that, allowing Tor the
amount of powder that was prooaniy
consumed in practice drills by the
Maine before she arrived IL Havana
harbor. there was certainly no. less
than 5000 pounds of powder IN TINS
magazine, an amount sufficient to nave
caused enormous destruction had II
been exploded at one time.
Col. Haywood, commandment OF the
marines, acting under orders from the
department., is preparing TO send all
the marines at Key West, Survivors
Vi the Maine, who are able to travel
to New York, where they Will be plac-
I'd on the receiving ship Vermont,
there to be held for further assign
ment They will go by steamer to New
York The sailors at Key west Wall
be disposed of in similar fashion.
Washington, d. c.. February 20
The government authorities were TO-
day placed in possession OF the infor-
nation reaching Senior Du Bose. charge
-aifaires OF the Spanish legation,
THAT NO MINES EXIST
inside or outside Havana harbor. This
ntorma ton reached Senior Du Bose
after midnight last night and was
communicated to the Associated Press
In 81 br;oe .,,l avpli.if statement Ii