Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-01

thereby Obliged to pay over to the legal
representatives or heirs OF the deceased
any sums OF money that may be due them
oy the United States Government on ac-
count OF accrued pay or deposits.
IN the case OF the victims Of the Maine.
inc Navy Department is obliged I'm many
cases TO certify 10 the death of sailors
without the presence OF the body n Is
assumed by the official that a man failing
10 report perished in the catastrophe
Letters are reaching the Navy Depart
Heht from ali parts of the country from
aleBed relatives OF the victims. and Il
appears that In numerous cases there
are many claimants for the small sums
or money or other property that belonged
to the dead men.
NO LIGHT ON EXPLOSION.
1t can be stated authortatively that
the Navy Department has received no.
thing TO indicate the cause OF the eX-
plosion, and that reports that it had
been advised 1t was by external agencies
are without foundation.
Commander Forsyth, at Key West, tele-
graphed this morning that he had, in
execution Of the departments order, Sc
cured a plot OF ground in the cemetery
at Key West. wherein will be tempo
rarily inferred the remains OF such Of
Habana Admiral Sicard will personally
look after the funeral arrangements.
The battleship Texas. which has been
at Galveston, returned to TOrtugas to-
day. and joined the squadron. The Ter
rOr reported her arrived at TOmpkins-
vile to-day. The Castine arrived at
Port of France. in the West Indies.
Captain Dickens, Assistant-Chief Of the
Navigation Bureau. has gone to Norfolk
Contrary 10 some reports that have been
circulated his visit has nothing to do
with war preparations. He went to in
spect the old training-ship Essex, which
has just returned from a long cruise,
with apprentices.
The State Department to-day received
the following dispatch from Minister
Woodford at Madrid:
Decree dissolving Spanish Cortes, Feb
ruary 26th. New Cortes will meet April
25th."
The dissolution of the Cortes had been
expected, and it may be attended with inn
portant results.
SPANISH ELECTIONS.
The two parties, Liberal and ConserYa-
tive will now appeal to the country and
on the result will depend the political
complexion of the ministry. The Sagasta
ministry now in power, is Liberal It's
retention in power means much at the
present iuncture. for it was on the advent
Of the Sagasta regime that General Ney-
Ter was recalled the 'reconcentrado' de-
crees were annulled. and the present plan
of autonomy put i'm force. The policy
now being pursued by General Blanco m
Cuba is an entire reversal OF that under
the Conservative regime of Canovas ana
his successor. and il is felt that the con-
sequence of this policy is no less at stake
than the ministry itself, in the outcome
of the present elections.
Elections will be held not only in SPAIN
but also in Cuba and Puerto Rico. rms
| however. should not be .coufounded with
! the local elections Of Cuba under the pan
| of autonomy. The present elections VIII
be confined entirely to the choice of dele
gates to the Imperial Parliament, and VIII
not be a part of the autonomous plan Tor
/ q local government of Cuba. Ihe latter
| elections have not been fixed. ana the
/ time for them will be set by the Autono-
nous Cabinet.