The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-18

Mexico. however. she probably consumed
I good part of this coal, and TeplenIsheu
Ter stock from the Naval store at the
Kew West station. The coal there taken
IN was anthracite. which Captain Brad
ford said us no more subject to spon-
aneous combustion than a pile Oh
stones" The Maine took OH $50 tons
Of this coal in December and i'll Jann-
iry, before she left for Havana, she
loaded up with 271 tons more. This
coal at Key West is kept behind q
picket fence very much exposed to any
evil minded person who might desire to
conceal a bomb therein; something which
could only be effected with great diff
Guilty after the coal was stored in the
bunkers. In spite of the British retiec-
tions upon the discipline on American
warshils, the officers here do not hesi-
tate to say that in the matter of care
ful inspection of tho coal bunkers, the
magazines and the like, our Navy. il sec
ond to none in the world.
ALL FLAGS AT HALF MAST.
Captain General Blanco today cabled
TO Senor Du Bose, Charge Of the Spanish
Legation, giving the formal action of
he insular government of Cuba express
ing to the President Of the United
States profound sorrow over the catas-
-rophe to the Maine, and the resulting
'oss of life to Americans. At the same
ime the Alcalde or Mayor of Havana,
sent resolutions of the municipality ex-
pressing to the President the grief of
the authorities and the people Of TIA
yana. Senor Du Bose presented the dis
1ln Tke,,-
who laid them before President Nc
Kinley.
In execution of the decision of the
President last evening to have nation
nj observance of mourning, the follow
ing order was today communicated by
telegraph from the War Department 10
commanding officers of the Army:
AS appropriate honors to the deceased
in the recent disaster to the battleship
Maine. the President directs that flags
at all army headquarters, military posts
and on army buildings be displayed
from sunrise to sunset at half mast
until further orders.
tSigned.) SAMUEL BRECK,
"Adjutant General"
Secretary Long today directed that
of naval stations and the chief officers
of United States vessels throughout the
world to display all flags at half mast
until further orders, as mark of re-
spect to the officers and men drowned
from the battleShip Maine.
Admiral Sicard telegraphed Secretary
Long from Key West this afternoon as
follows:
I'm the opinion of Lieutenant John
Hood, of the Maine. who has just ar
rived from Havana, says that the Maine
can never again be utilized az ship. He
describes the whole forward body of the
ship as completely collapsed where the
shock of explosion was heaviest Pho
tographs of the wreck will be sent 10
the Department today"
The State Department this afternoon
received the following dispatch from
Consul General Lee:
Havana. February II.
Assistant Secretary Day, Washing
ton:
Merritt in junior officers mess room.
jenkins in ward mess room art the time
of the explosion. Latter left before
an officer who was saved. Must have
gone the wrong way. Lights out imnne-
diately and water rusing in. Merritt
got to hatch with Naval Cadet Boyd,
Ladder gone. Boyd climbed through and
tried to pull Merritt up, but latter let
go his hands. fell back and was drowned.
Bodies Of these officers not vet found.
possibly in wreck. Sailors funeral to-
day at 3. Will he an immense process
sion"
The following message was received
at the Navy Department at 3:35 p. m,
from Captain SigSbce. ut Havana:
Secretary Long. Washington:
General BlancO called on me person
ally at the hotel last night and also the
mayor of the city. They have requested
me to permit the government here tC
give Il public burial to the dead already
found in order that public sympathy may
he expressed thereby and I,H nNnOr
shown the dead. Ground for the burial
has been secured. 1t is assumed that
l am expected by the department to
bury the dead here. in fact would be
inpracticalble to transport remains to
the United States. Means and facilities
are lacking. | have accepted the offer
of the authorities and there will be n
public funeral at 3 o'clock to-day. All
here from the 'AIaine will 90, also dele
cation from the Fern. Fifteen bodies
recovered during operations. Operations
prevented by rough weather"
There was unabated interest in both
ends of the capitol to-day, in the Maine
disaster, but expressions generally TAX
the shape of inquiry for new light upon
the. subject and of demands for most
rigid investigation.
The present disposition, especially
about the Senate. appears to be to allow
the matter to rest where it is until more
light can be secured than at present.
The disaster to the Maine has aroused
feeling among members of the House
i'll favor of extreme liberality in ap-
prOpriations for the naval and military
establishments, the practical result of
winch is Likely to be the acceptance
by the House with little contest, of the
Senate amendments increasing the al
preparations for fOrtifcat tions about 81.
O0O,OOO, the authorization in the Naval
Appropriation bill o. two battleships in
stead Of one, and possibly the authOriza-
ton Of the entire dry docks SCENE recon-.
mended " the dry dock board appointed
by the Secretary Of the Navy. The re-
conrmendatiou of the Secretary Of the