The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-27
NO T0RPED0ES IN THE HARBOR.
Senior Du BOsc's Statement Thought TO
Negative the Mine Theory.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2G.-Secretary
Long enjoyed a sound sleep last night,
the first he has had for some time and
in consequence he felt so much refresh.
ed this morning that he decided 10 aban
don his proposed absence from the Navy
Department and continue at his duties,
so ne was early at his desk and in COM
sultation with Assistant Secretary Roose-
welt and Captain Crowninshleld. chief Of
the Navigation Bureau. As 10 the OUT
look. he said he thought things were
looking much better. lie said the pub
lic ought not TO bee under any misapprc-
hension with regard 10 naval movements,
that so far they had mostly been
ordinary dispositions which are made
from time 10 time
SENIOR DU BOSC'S STATEMENT
Tho attention OF naval officers had been
strongly attracted 10 the statement made
by representatives OF the Spanish govern
mcut TO tho effect that there were no
mines or torpedoes OF any kind I'm Ha-
yana harbor. n can Dee said that this
statement exactly agrees with the in
qurics that have been under way for
many months by agents Of our govern
ment. for so far it is said. they have
been unable 10 find the slightest evidence
of the existence of any plan OF defense
In the harbor by means OF mines or tOr-
pcdOcs. much less 10 locate them, as has
been reported in some quarters
officials OF the Navy Department say
that the effect of this statement IL it -
TO be accepted as conclusive on that
point is almost certain 10 negative the
supDosition that the disaster resulted.
from other than accidental causes. as the
almost unanimous testimony OF exports
here. based on history OF torpedo work
is 10 tho effect that no single torpedo Of
any type could have caused the terrific
wreck OF the Maine
ln the pursuit OF details. some Of the
ordnance officers. acting upon the theory
that the large ten-inch magazine forward
was not exploded. have been looking into
the contents OF the smaller and adjoining
siX-inch magazines.
They find that allowing for the amount
Of powder that was probably consumed
In practice drills by the Maine before she
arrived in Havana harbor. there was GER
tainly no less than 5000 pounds OF powder
IN this magazine, an amount sufficient TO
have caused the enormous destruction
had IL been exploded at one time.
WHAT MR.. ALGER SAYS.
When tho attention OF Phillip Alger.
expert of the Bureau OF Ordnance was
called 10 Senior Du Bosc's statement, he
said
"Jhe statement IS important as repre-
senung the position taken by the Span
ism officials who have absolute knowledge
OF whether or not Havana harbor was
mined. IL is OF course inherently imprOb-
able that such mines existed since it Is
not customary 20 plant torpedocs I'm har-
bors AT all and especially not in harbOrs
constantly occupied By friendly vessels.
Should IL be possible 10 prove Senior Du
Boscs statement to be true. the whole
theory Of the Maino's destruction by a
torpedo will become untenable. I'm my
opinion. But the only proper course 20
be now pursued is 10 await patiently the
report of the board Of investigation and
TO accept their findings az conclusive.
when the first news Of the catastro-
phe arrived. IL was well to attempt to
allay excitement by pointing out tho fact
that the probabilities were greatly in
favor OF the explosion having been an
accidental one. Nothing that has yet
become known should lead 10 a modih-
cation of this view. II is stil vastly
more probable that the cause was an in
ternal one than that 1t was external.
There seems. however TO be a preve-
liant feeling that the accident theory
castsa reflection upon the Navy and also
that its acceptance would be hurtful 10
the Navy interests. The contrary seems
10 me TO be true. The wit OF men has
not vet devised airy implement OF de-
struction which accident may not turn
against friend with an effect to that
which il was intended to produce upon
an enemv."