Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-19

After that Is completed the Spanish govern
ment would like to unite with ours in hav-
ing bottom of ship and harbor in vicinity
Jointly examined. LEE.
WASHINGTON, February 10, 1895.
Lee. Consul General, Habana-
The government of the United States has
already begun an investigation as to the
causes Of the disaster to the Maine, through
officers Of the navy specially appointed for
that purpose, which will proceed independ-
eI.tly.
This government will afford every facility
it can to the Spanish authorities in what
ever investigation they may see fit to make
upon their part. DAY,
=. Assistant Secretary.
Spain's Request Refused.
Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary
Day bad an interview with the President
this morning. which lasted nearly an hour.
Mr. Day read cablegram from Consul
General Lee at Havana, transmitting
guest from the Spanish authorities In Cuba
that the Spanish officials be permitted to
join with our own people in making ali in
yes tigation into the cause of the disaster
to the Maine. The matter was discussed
at considerable length ard the conclusion
vas reached that while this government is
willing to afford the Spanish authorities all
reasonable facilities for conducting an in
vestigation, yet it is Thought best the first
inquiry should be made by our own COM
missioners. The request of the Spanish
authorities, therefore, will be respectfully
declined.
Secretary Long wired Admiral Sicard
after his conference with President Nc
KypI.
been returned to Gen. Lees application in
behalf of the Spanish government for per-
mission to examine the Maine. He also in
strUcted the admiral to press forward as
rapidly possible the work of survey
upon the Names null, and to have the
court of inquiry TO proceed to Havana as
soon as possible.
What the Divers Are Doing.
1t is scarcely expected at the department
that any information of value to the
cause of the explosion will be available
until the court has begun the formal in
Quiry. The divers now at work in the
wreck are understood to be employed in Sc
curing dead bodies and in removing ships
papers and small articles of value, so that
1t is unlikely that they would give any
heed to the bottom Of the hull, buried, as
it probably is, deeply in the mud. The OFF,
Gals here intimate that the discovery of
pieces of torpedoes is not to be taken in
itself evidence of an outside attack upon
the vessel, for it is fully expected that of
the eight torpedoes On the Maine some
were more or less ruptured and scattered
by the explosion which destroyed the ship.
To Save the Maine If Possible.
Commander Francis w. Dickins, the act
ing chief of bureau of navigation, and Sec
rotary Longs right-hand man in the pres
emit emergency, says that the court of in
qUiry will determine whether the Maine
can be saved, but under no cIrcums tances
can any man in the navy, while there is a
chance Of success, forget the ringing order
of the hero of the Chesapeake.
The Maine" he said, must be taken to
| an American port II there is enough Of her
bones holding together to warrant removal,
ard in all likelihood that will be done. II
the explosion was more disastrous than IS
now thought to be the case, If the hull is
so wrecked as to be beycI repair, then as
| much of the material as can be secured
will be brought home and plaC ed in q new
Maine. 1t is to be remembered that great
| advances have been made in shipbuildins
since the Maine was designed and a finer
ship to bear her name could be built today.
but II would take time and II any consld-
cradle portion o; the ship is good. with a
nodernized battery and improvements In
rebuilding the destroyed portions mag
nificent vessel can be quickly secured"
Mansrove Returns to Key West.
The Secretary Of the Navy received a
| telegram from Captain Forsythe at Key
West this afternoon, follows:
"Mangrove arrived with ten wounded.
| They will be cared for at army hospital.
VIII wire names and rates later"
Subsequently he received another tele-
| gram from Captain Forsythe. as follows:
Following Is list of Maine survivors
just arrived in Mangrove: Edward Mattson,
| ordinary seaman: b. r. Wilbur eoxswain;
j. c. White. landsman; Daniel Cronin,
| landsman; John Coffey. marine; J. H.
Boomer. landsman: Alfred Hernis, gum
ner's mate; James A. Rowe, ships cook:
Charles Pitcher. ordinary seaman; VIM.
McGinnis. marine. Surgeon says they are
all doing well. None in danger"
| Half-MastfnE the Colors
| Secretary Long today sent telegraphic
1 orders 10 the commandin1 off3cers NJ ali