The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-19

ment. was lowered to half mast during
the day by direction of the Secretary of
the Navy. The handsome model has
been a centre of interest for the thrOngs
at the department within recent days
and the small flags have continued to fly
at t.Be mastheads in apparent irony of
the actual condition of the Maine. A
movement was started to-day to drape
the model in mourning after the manner
that the model of the British ship Nlc-
tory was draped at the Worlds Fair.
Secretary Long did not approve of this,
however, as it suggested an oStentaton
not fitting the circumstances. But he
gave his assent to lowering the miniature
colOrs, and accordingly the stars and
stripes flying from the stern of the
Names miniature counterpart were
lowered.
LEES DESCRIPTION OF FUNERAL
Washington, Feb. 1S.-President Nc
kinley to-day received Sen0r Du Bose.
the Charge d Affaires of Spain, who
had been commanded by the Queen re-
gent of Spain to bear i'll person to the
President her expression of profound
sorrow over the calamity to the Maine.
The message was brief and heartfelt,
expressing the sorrow of the Queen and
her people.
The only absentees from tO-day's cab
met meeting were Secretaries Sherman
and Alger. During the meeting the dis
aster to the Maine was the principal
topic of discussion.
Although the President and the mem
bers of the Cabinet await with interest
the result of the inquiry into the cause
Al. II Il
a doubt in their minds that it was an
accluent purely, and such as might hap
pen at any time. This view of the mat
ter however, will not influence the Pres
ident to stop short of n most searching
investigation into all the facts, present
and remote, that may have any possible
bearing upon the case or throw upon
it a single ray of light.
The President is receiving a large
number of congratulatory messages COM
mending him for the course he has pur-
sued in this matter as we'll as in the case
of the late Spanish Minister De LONE.
General Lee was heard from in the
shane of the following cablegram ut
los O'clock this afternoon:
Havana, February Is, 1898.
Assistant Secretary of State Washing
ton.
Great popular demonstration at fun
eral yesterday. Military, Naval, firemen
and civil organizations generally repre-
sented. Bishop of Havana, General
Paqrado, next i'll command to Governor
General, Autonomistic Cabinet, civil
Governor, Mayor and other prominent
persons walked in procession part of
route in accordance with custom to
testify sympathy. Forty bodies buried.
Many coming to surface water since,
but now difficult to recognize. Will be
buried with religious services as collect
ed.
(SigneD LEE"
THINK IT WAS 4 TORPEDO.
Jacksonville. Fla. Feb 1S.-A special
to the Times Union and Citizen from
hey West says:
The general opinion of many persons
here is that the Maine was hit by Il
torpedo after which the magazine ex-
ploded. In an interview with Thomas
Melville. of Brooklyn, who was not iI-
jured, and was on watch on the quar-
ter deck, he said that he felt two distinct
shocks. The first was not as severe as
the second which blew up the ship Other
survivors are of the same opinion that it
was foul work
SPAIN TO WATCH DIVERS.
Madrid. Feb. 1S-The newspapers
ilere are urging the government to adopt
great precautions when the American
divers arrive and not to allow them TO
descend alone and examine the Maine.
las divers sent by private persons might
be bribed to report at variance with the
actual facts and might even do some
thing to the hull which would serve as
confirmation of their report"
WRECK CAREFULLY GUARDED.
Divers not Allowed to Search Even for