The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-02-23
NAMES
VICTIMS
Bill For Their Relief Proposed
by the Naval Committee.
TO INCREASE THE ARMY.
Senate Passes a Bill to Add Two
More Regiments.
TO INCREASE THE R M
THE MAINE COURT OF INQUIRY.

The Members visit Captain General
Blanco and Are Cordially Received.
HI Divers Recovered Fourteen I'm
recognizable Bodies-To BE Provid-
ed with Electric Lights For Their
Under Water notwithstanding More
Divers From New York.
Washington, Feb. 23.-All the gov
eminent departments were closed in
Washington yesterday save the navy
department, where a 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 con-
cluded, the officials closed up shop and
went home to enjoy a respite from the
rush of the past week. Captain Sigsbee
was heard from in a 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, a general
measure being agreed on late in the
afternoon similar to the relief measure
that followed the Samoan disaster in
1859. The resolution vas finally passed
on at a special meeting of the commit.
tee this morning. 1t will be immedi-
ately reported by Chairman Boutelle,
and Its passage expedited. Though
based on the precedent of the Samoan
bill approved Feb. 10, 1890, 1t ignores
the differentiation then made between
the injured and the %uninjured su WV
ors, and it's terms are general instead
of citing individuals. Any losses sus-
tanned by the survivors will be made
good to the extent of not exceeding II
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, hen to the parents, or If there
are neither of these relations, then to
the brother or sister or other collateral
relations. The pay of the deceased is
to be continued to these at least three
months.
The navy department received a dis
patch from Captain Sigsbee last even
ing saying hat IA more bodies had
been recovered from the wreck Of the
Maine. All the remains are unidenti-
fed. 1t is not thought any bodies will
be identified hereafter, unless by the
clothing. Aside from the effect of long
submersion, the men still missing were
nearly all directly under the main deck,
which was blown up, and the tremen-
dous force of the explosion probably
blotted scores of them out of existence
entirely.
officials unquestionably have been for
BONE time preparing for any emergency
that may arise, but appearances Mt the
department would indicate hat 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
Their north to West Indian waters and
at Norfolk the monitor Terror has been
ordered to be In readiness and may be
sent to New York later.
The senate yesterday passed a bill 70
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, az
it undoubtedly will, 1t will enable the
department to carry out plans 1t has
long had in view.
Criticisms lately passed on the state
of the army and our Notifications has
caused 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 fol-
troops at all forts to be on the alert
and ready for immediate action, but
this was promptly denied by the gen
erals chief of staff. Nothing whatevel
of a sensational character occurred II
Washington, and on the whole the day
was free of rumors by comparison with
its immediate predecessors for the pas
week or more.