The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-17

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resulted from spontaneous combustion Of
coal bunker, the overhcating OF the iron
partitions between the boilers and the
magazine, or from the explosion OF boiler.
though tho last theory finds little sup
port,
Tho list of survivors that came to the
navy department this evening in answer
to kilograms were inaccurate and made
out the loss OF life OF eight more than
Tho summary originally given by Captain
Sigsbee in an earlier telegram. 80 Secres
tary Long telegraphed for smother correct
list and also one that should show who
were not wounded OF the survivors.
1t was found necessary to do this owing
to the great number OF ptiful appeals
for information to the secretary of the
navy.
II is said at the navy department that
this disaster is the greatest OF the kind IN
naval, since the sinking OF the big British
waiship Victoria by the collision with
Malta. in June, 1893. BY that accident
the British admiral commanding, twenty
two officers and 1886 men lost their lives.
The Spanish legation was. carly advised
Of the horror by Captain General Blanco,
who expressed his profound regret and
added that the occurrence was chance
accident. the uDdoubted cause being an
explosion OF the boiler of the dynamo
This was the only specific cause assigned
from an official source during the day.
Mr.. DuI'osc, the Spanish charge daft
flares, called at the state department to
express his regret and tho entire Spanish
legation left their cards at the navy do
partment us mark OF personal coincidence.
AT all of the foreign establishments there
was the deepest interest and coincidence
over the affair.
The disaster is remarkable In that only
two officers lost their lives aud these
were of junior grades, They We're Lieu.
tenant Friend w. Jenkins and Assistant
Engineer Darwin II. Merritt. The former
was unmarried but leaves mother aud
LET a. 49,
unmarried, but the department was un-
advised concerning his family.
Hard work, harder Whiting and expect
aDcy marked the evening for most of the
department officials, whose duties connect
ed them in any way with the Maine disas-
ter. Secretary Long. who had hcen aroused
at 2;30 n. m, when the news first reached
Washington, was thoroughly tired out and
went TO bed unusually early. He turned
over 10 Lieutenant Whittcsy the receiving
of all dispatches relating TO the disaster
with orders. following those of the pr,si-
dent at tho cabinet meeting, to make pub
lie everything relating to the AFFAIR. Very
little was received that would throw iivhl
on the situation, but nenrly hundred hi.
vate kilograms ramo from friends aud
families of the officers and crew, beggius
for specific news OF the loved one and rela
tiyes who were with the fatal shin. Re-
plies were made to such inquiries Az could
be answered. 1t was hoped by the depart.
ment that a list of tho injured among tho
survivors could be secured promptly, but
though request for this was cablea TO
Havana at p. m, no response was re-
ceiycd.
The state department was on the alert
for news both from Havana and from
Minister Woodford at Madrid, but beyond
second message from General Loe, ex-
pressing the hope that public sentiment IN
the United States would be rcprcsscd aud
detailing additional courtesies at the hnnls
Of the Spaninrds In Havana, nolhing Was
received.
The effort Of NIL government officers to
remain calm In the face Of the shocking
disaster and its attending mystery Was
apparent and number OF naval Officers
volunteered theories In support Of IN, "a.
cident hypothesis. all OF which In tho
absence Of amy facts on which TO base
reasonable opinion. were decidedly unsat,s-
factory
At tho White House the president spent
tho evening until midnight In his Office.
There was no official conference ON the
disaster. however The president displayed