The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-17
Naval Department Acts Promptly in
Behalf OF the Victims.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE navy depart
ment was the scene Of intense excitement
before o'clock this morning, but at the
usual hour of opening the department the
officials had no news to add to that given
in the last Associated Press dispatches.
The first news received this morning came
from Key West and added little to the
sum of information. Commandant For
syth, at Key West, wired the navy depart
ment that he had been notified by Captain
Sigsbee of the Maine to Inform Admiral
Sicard in command of the North Atlantic
squadron, that the Maine had blown up
and was destroyed. He requested that a
lighthouse tender be sent over to Havana
and added that many were killed and
wounded. Commandant Forsyth's mes
sage further said that the lighthouse
tender Mangrove left Key West at 3
o'clock this morning for Havana and that
the tugboat Fern would promptly follow
her. A second dispatch from Command
ant Forsyth said that he had sent the
torpedo boat Ericsson. which was at Key
West, to Admiral Siccard, who is at the
Dry Tortugas. with message concerning
the disaster to the Maine.
Commander Dickens. after carrying out
the instructions of Secretary Long with
regard to the relief measures for the sur
vivors of the Maine, went at once 10 the
White House, where the president was
aroused and informed of the disaster.
President Mckinley received the news
calmly and expressed his deep sorrow,
but said nothing further, except that he
was thoroughly satisfied with the meas
ures adopted by the navy department.
Secretary Long retired at a m, and
gave orders shat all further dispatches
from Havana should be transmitted to
Captain Dickens.
1t was learned that Secretary Longs
second dispatch from Key West, which
was not given out, was merely from Cap
tain Forsyth confirming the message
of Captain sigsbee.
Key West, Feb. 1.-THE lighthouse ten
der Mangrove sailed for Havana at 3
O'Clock this morning, having on board
several doctors. The steamer Fern has
also sailed for Havana and the torpedo
boat Ericsson left at midnight last night
with dispatches for the feet.
The Plant line steamer Olivette Is due
here tonight from Havana on her regular
trip to Tampa. but she is not expected TO
arrive IN time. as heavy seas prevail IN
the gulf owing TO the storm, which viii
be bad for the Names injured men.
New York, Feb. 16.-President s. N
Both Of the Ward lire sent kilograms 10
President Mckinley and Secretary Long
today placing at their disposal the steam
ship City OF Washington. now in the har-
Dor OF Havana, and the Vigilance. now
enroute to Havana. for any purpose and
for as long as desired.
Washington. Feb. 1.-THE coast survey
steamer Bache has been ordered 70 Ha-
vana at once with wrecking parapher-
MALTA. She is now at Key West
A dispatch from Co-nmandant Forsythe
at eKy West says he has made arrange
ments with Captain Morrill,. commanding
Key West barracks n quarter and sub
sist the survivors Of thee rev -h0 cone
over in the steamer Olivette tonight.
The treasury department has granted
the use II he marine hospital service z;
Kew West for the treatment ~ any II
the wounded who may be brought there
Tor treatment
This afternoon Secretary Long sent he
following dispatch % C9mmandant For
sythe al Key West;
Admiral sIcard ordered - come 20 Key
West with ship and serve out clothing -
necessary Should he not arrive before
the Orvctte you are authorized 70 pur-
Chase necessary articles and give out