Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-24
MAY Be SPANISH TREACHERY
u. S. Cruiser Maine Blown Up at
Havana and 258 Sailors Killed.
CREW LAYS IT TO THE SPANISH.
Oficers all Saved but Two-Spanish Give
Aid to the wounded-An Investiga-
ton to be Made as To Cause of the
Explosion.

up and almost completely Wrecheu
while at anchor in Havana harbor, and
PSI members of the crew besides two
officers-Lieut. Jenkins and Assistant
Engineer Merritt were killed. The
cause of the explosion can only be de-
termined by investigation.
The authentic figures as given of the
casualties are 1O4 saved and 253 dead.
Havana: officers of the Maine state
that the explosion was in the central
magazine and that the Maine was
raised out of the water and then went
partially to pieces. All but the sur
geon were in the ward room at the mo-
ment of the explosion. Then came the
stupendous shock. All the officers be-
low rushed on deck, but could get no
further forward than the middle of the
superstructure on deck Only a pitia-
bic few of the 800 blue jackets ever got
from below. The water rushed over
them and many were stunned and
drowned. The officers on deck mar
rowly escaped. In the junior officers
mess all had to Chamber out through
water and wreckage waist deep. All
agree that double explosion occurred.
Havana: Capt. Sigsbee when asked
to express an opinion as to the cause of
the explosion said: Il cannot determine
the cause but competent investigators
will decide whether the explosion was
produced from an interior or exterior
cause. l cannot say anything until
after such an investigation has been
made. i will not and cannot conscien-
tiously anticipate the decision nor do
wish to make any unjust estimate of
the reason for the disaster"
Washington: Secretary Long, when
asked whether he had reason to suspect
that the disaster was the work of an
enemy, replied: Il do not. In that |
am influenced by the fact that Capt.
Sigsbee has not yet reported to the
navy department on the cause. He is
evidently waiting to write full report.
So long as he does not express himself
l certainly cannot. / should think
from the indications, however, that the
magazine exploded. How that came
about do not know. For the present,
at least, no other warship will be sent
to Havana"
Public men expressed their opinions
with reserve when approached for in
terviews, but everywhere there was a
demand for an investigation and full
details in the light of which the horror
may be justly viewed. Secretary Long
undoubtedly summarized the general
opinion of the majority of naval ex-
perts in finding it impossible just now
to state the cause of the destruction of
the Maine. There are a great number
of theories, but most of them are of a
character that makes it easy to prove
or upset by single investigation by a
diver. Secretary Long has taken inn
mediate steps to make this investi-
cation.
The effort of the government officers
to remain calm in the face of the shock
ing disaster and its attendant mystery
was apparent and number of naval
officers volunteered theories in support
of the accident hypothesis, all of which
in the absence of any facts on which TO
base a reasonable opinion were decid-
edly unsatisfying
As for the Maine herself, notwith-
standing discouraging reports as TO
her condition, the navy department
will make the effort to raise her.
While this is required by every credit
able sentiment, they say that they are
bound to remove the hull from the har-
Dor in any case and it may be as easy
acia 70 ica ha,. no ~,
destroy the hull and machinery by the
use of divers and dynamite.
Key West: 1t is known from reliable
sources that Capt. Sigsbee is under the
impression that the warship Maine was
blown up by floating torpedo, and
that he has communicated his impress
sions to- Washington, asking at the
same time that the naval department
should send naval engineers and me-
chanics TO investigate the explosion.
The steamship Olivette arrived at
Key West with 62 survivors of the
Maine. OF the number 20 are wounded.
10 seriously and one fatally. The Off
GERS were, as a rule, reticent and say
that the cause of the explosion could
only be ascertained by divers, but
many of the sailors were outspoken in
their declaration of believe that the
explosion was a deep laid plot of the
Spaniards.
1t is well known that there has been
a very bitter feeling among the Span
iards in Cuba against the Maine. Can
alejas' own paper. the Heraldo, has re-
peatedly stated that the presence of
the Maine was a menace To peace, and
it was to the same editor of this paper,
it will be remembered, that De Lone
wrote his famous letter insulting Pres
ident Mckinley. At bull fight in
Havana the Spaniards openly insnlted
men from the Maine, and the feeling
against them had gradually grown to
be very bitter.
Washington: Consul-General Lee tel
egraphs: Profound sorrow expressed
by government and municipal author
tiles, consuls of foreign nations, organ
lied bodies of all sorts and citizens gem
orally. Flags at half mast on gov
ernor-generals palace, on shipping in
harbor and city. Business suspended,
theaters closed. Officers quarters be-
ing in rear and seamen's forward,
where explosion took place, accounts
for greater proportional loss of sailors.