Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-17
The World Correspondent Describes
Scenes Attending ExplOsion.

SYLVESTER sCOvEL's STORY.
The World Correspondent Describes
Scenes Attending Explosion.
NEW YORK. February 1.-THE Evening
World today contains a copyrighted cable
gram from Havana. signed by Sylvester
Scovel. who repeats graphically the story
of the blowing up of the battle ship Maine
and says:
The quays and docks were damned with
spectators during these sad proceedings,
and 1 am informed that some jubilant say
irgs were heard among the crowd. and
that some of the lower elements rejoice
over the Yankee massacre they term
ed it. Personally, 1 saw nothing but SYM
pathy.
1T was too colossal not to dwarf even in
ternational jealousy and apprehensive hate.
Only in the palace did | see signs of con-
tent.
Captain Sigsbee bears the calamity like
an American officer and a gentleman. He
was not even outwardly ruffied by the aw-
full calamity. He received the Spanish chief
of police as calmly as though his quarter
deck We're not wreck and his men man
ged and drowned.
''Apropos of this it is told of Capt. Sigs-
bee that he was writing letter to his wife
in his port cabin when the explosion
Cured All the lights were instantly eX
tirguished. Sigsoee. running out. bumped
into a perfectly disciplined marine orderly.
who, amidst shrieks, groans. flames and
horror. and in the dark. sauted and said:
Sir, have to inform you that the ship
has been blown up and is sinking"
Men Were Very Cool.
This GOODNESS was noticeable everywhere
among the men, and when the boats and
their MANNED loads had left the craft for
the hospital there was no jabbering or eX-
citeme9t. The officers who had something
to do did it quietly. The others said moth
frE
All stood this Samoa of fire as others
once gave three cheers for the British
warship Calliope, at Apia, during the hur-
ricane.
The correspondents of the Madrid press
have sent home foreboding messages. and
on the civil side of the palace thsre are
grave apprehension and scant courtesy.
When l asked Secretary Congosto to
aid me in talking tC Gen. Solono over Sc
curing the reopening of the liable for the
messages of the Names officers, he coldly
said ii was none of his business, that Gen.
Solono was III sole charge.
Fortunately that gentleman was court
eous and the messages went. In view Of
this present attitude l shall now quote
what Secretary Consosto then the acting
governor general, fulfilling the fGnc-
tons Of that responsible position, said 10
me the night before the Maine had arrived
Consul General Lee had told him hat af-
ternoon that warship would come:
Cnngosfo Talked WarIike
"Congosto beligerei tly objected. General
Lee then said:
Remember. if any trouble does occur l
shall have the whole fleet here in four
hours
Shortly after l saw Secretary Congosto
and he was very mad. He was also indis-
Greet. He said to me:
If your people would only let US alone
it would be all right. Spain has put UP
with more than any other nation would
have done. l have warned you that there
will be trouble if the Maine comes here.
Now bring your ships here. If you want
war you can have it. You will find Spain
hasn't forgotten how to fight
Il took these words at the time as the
angry utterances of an overtaxcd diplomat
Now they seem to mean something.
Two days ago Spanish daily here
letter and caused its capture because he
saw no gain in further delaying a break
between the two governments"
Hurrying Up Ordnance.
CINCINNATI. Ohio, February 1.-The
Zig Niles tool works at Hamilton Ohio. is
turning out twelve-inch mortars for the
government as speedily as possible Two
laval attaches, assigned to the ordnance
department., have been at Hamilton en-
gagged in pushing forward the work and
experimenting the construction Of the huge
pieces of ordnance.
Within the past few days the work has
Teen greatly FASTENED to all appearances.
The officials of the company deny that any
special effort had been made to hasten the
work since the recent war scare
Despite these denials here is every in
dication that the wjrk has been hurried
:;nd that the naval officers have been espe-
cIaliy busy of late.
Sensational RumOr Denied.
BERLIN, February 1.-THE North Ger
man Gazette this afternoon says it is au-
thorized TO state that the recent report
ting from Madrid. that a number of
high Spanish officers propose to leave their
cards al the German embassy, with the
view of linus setting on foot a demons:r ira
ton against thu United States, Is utterly
devoid of foundation.
Emperor William Sends Regrets.
BERLIN, February I7.-Imme diately after
the news of the disaster to the Maine was
communicated to Emperor William he ca
bied direct to President Mckinley, express
ing MS most heartfelt sympathy at the loss
of the Maine and many brave officers
and men.
The German ambassador at Washington
70
Mckinley his majesty's sincere coincidence
New York Legislatures Action.
ALBANY, N. Y, February 17.-Mr Tay-
Tor Phillips of New York has introduced in
the assembly resolution condoling with
The friends OF those lost and with the in
Jured in the sinking of the Maine. and call
ing upon the Navy Department for ii quick
and thorough investigation.