The age-herald., 1898-02-18

holes and saw an immense Hash shoot into
 the air with terrific report Debris of all kinds and a large number Of bodies
 were thrown upward. It was at first be-
 lieved that the Maine was being fired upon, l but afterward, as the City of Washington
 was struck by what turned out to be fall | ing debris and she careened, 1t was thought to be an explosion. A second explosion took place, and. following 1t, we heard groans and cries of help. The boats of the City of Washington and those of the Span ish cruiser Alfonso XIII were hurriedly launched and went to the rescue. l went into one of the boats of the City of Wash ington and the scenes I witnessed were heartrending beyond description.
 Sank in Three Minutes
 ! 1.-TWO of the small boats on board the City of Washington were stove in by debris from the Maine. The battleship | sank even with the water in about three minutes. The City of Washington was converted into a veritable hospital. Many of the rescued men were brought on board almost nude. and the passengers gave them clothing, etc. The officers of the City of Washington did all in their power to make the rescued men comfortable. "The affair caused the utmost excitement in Havana Seven bodies were picked up in the harbor yesterday and were identi- fled, though horribly mangled"
 Later reports today from the wounded of the Maine show that they are all doing well, excepting the case of Patrick Foley, an apprentice, whose skull is fractured, and it is feared he will die.
 Reticent About the Explosion Regarding the explosion the officers of the Maine are reticent. They are evidently under orders to keep quiet on the subject, but the men talk more freely and they, including the petty officers of the Maine, are almost unanimous in insisting that the explosion was caused by large tor pedo planted before the Maine arrived at Havana.
 The naval men here say that would be possible but is not likely. The anchorage for the Maine was designated by buoy and the location of the buoy was fixed by the harbor officials. It is a ided that any officials perfectly posted as to the cur rents and tides might plant torpedo at night so that, under certain conditions of | the tide 1t would be under the forward part of the Maine, as she swung to her moorings. Once planted it is further stat ed here such a torpedo could he exploded from the shore from a boat at any | time fixed upon by those in the secret All this, however. is regarded as being un- likely to occur, and as being almost inn possible to occur without the collusion of | Spanish officials.
 Torpedo Theory Secuted
 The story that torpedo may have been concealed in the coal furnished to the Maine is secuted here.
 In this connection it is advisable to discount the stories in circulation at Ha- vana. and here regarding the Maine hav- ing been blown up by torpedo placed under the ship. The Maine reached Ha- vana unannounced. and therefore it would have been difficult if not impossible to have placed a torpedo at the spot where she was moored.
 A lieutenant of the Maine, whose name is withehld at his request, was questioned today regarding the dispatch from Ha- vana saying a diver had discovered a hole apparently made by torpedo in the hull of the Maine He said:
 "Why not make the hole 800 or 5000 feet. One story is as likely as the other" May Never Be Known
 In short, the cause of the explosion is completely shrouded in mystery and the demolition of the battleship is so complete that it is probable that the secret of the disaster will never be known.
 Funeral of the Martyrs
 Havana, Feb. 17.-The night of the dis aster ito the Maine a light wind from the southwest was blowing and her head pointed in southeasterly direction. She was mOored in about twelve metres of water forward and drew about 13 metres aft. The Spanish cruiser Alfonso XIII was about 200 metres from the American batt1esship The correspondent of the As-
 sociated Press was in the cable office send ing "a message when the explosion occurred. | He saw from the window of that office | great column shooting upwards and he | hurried to the wharf and to the quarters of Admiral Manterola- By that time the | flames extended over the whole ship and in a few moments the Maine sank. The ex- plosion so disjonted and twisted the baIttle- ship that her remains now appear Ike a pile of wreckage. All the upper deck structure, turrets and guns are in heap and one hOiI hnc hcpr nf | and at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon was | still smoking on deck.
 The interment of the martyrs of the Maine took place this afternoon about 5 | O clock. Shortly before the hour all Ha- vana was in movement The flags on the public buildings were at half-mast and many of the houses were draped in mourn | ing. All classes were represented in the | throngs that filled the streets along which the funeral procession passed to the cem- etery. The order of the procession was as follows:
 The municipal guards on horseback in | full uniform; the city fire brigade; the municipal employees; the aldermen in seven splendidiy decorated flremen's cars spec al cars bearing the remains. nine bodies being carried on a sp.endidly decorated car; the clergy; deputations, consisting of the chief officers of the army. navy and the volun- teers; representatives of the various off, cial bureaus of the customs house; com- | mittees representing the chamber of com 1 merce; delegation representing the gro- cers, the council of administration; repre- sentatives of the treasury, the press and various political organizations.
 Then the representatives of foreign gov- ernment provincial deputies, employees of | the general autonomous governments, the municipal mace bearers, then General Parrado with four Hides-de-camp, repre- | senting Captain General Blanco (whose personal pressmce was not allowable under the law) having on his right Consui-Gen eral Lee and on dis left the mayor of Ha- vana, the Marquis Laranaga, Admiral | Mantea'oCa, Generals Alono and other off, cers and two companies of marines and