The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-12
ARMrs DELAY
Continued from Page One.)

navy In the attack. The little artillery duel
Of yesterday appears to have been more
serious in it's results than was at first sus-
pected by Gen. Shafter himself, for during
the afternoon he was obliged to report, as
Second infantry. one of the most gallant
and popular officers of the regular estab-
lishment. Capt. Rowell was born in New
York and was appointed to the Military
academy in 1870. He became second lieu
tenant in 1874, first lieutenant in 1891, and
was placed in command of the company
which he led to his death in 1896 His
death caused deep grief among the Off
GERS of the department, who respected him
for his soldierly qualities, as manifested in
his hard service in the wesG
Cable Communication Perfect
The cable communication between WASH
ington and Gen. Skaters headquarters has
now got into excellent condition, so that 1t
has been possible to receive at the depart
ment a message within two minutes after
1t has been dispatched by Gen. Shafter.
Col. Allen. who is in charge at Gen. Shat
ter's end of the line. has reported to the
department that he Is now engaged In lay
Este, which will still further reduce the
time required for the exchange of COM
munications.
The appearance at the navy department
at an early hour of Ensign Palmer, one of
the officers of the st. Louis, which arrived
al Portsmouth yesterday, led the officials
to believe that he had brought the reports
of the Amrican naval commanders of the
battle which resulted in the destruction of
Cervera's squadron. 1t turned out. how
ever, that the ST. Louis had started from
Siboney before the official reports on that
engagement had been prepared.
Will Use Fireproof Wood
Ex-Secretary Herbert had quite a con-
ference with Secretary Long this afternoon
upon the subject of fireproof wood for naval
construction. He brought with him for
midable array of facts gathered from the
newspaper reports of the naval battle to
show that fire was the element that worked
the greatest destruction among the ves-
sells Of the Spanish squadron, and that
wherever American vessels had been hit,
even in the case Of the tiny torpedo boat,
they had escaped such fires because all of
their woodwork was fireproof. So i'm
pressed was Secretary Long with the
statement that he had concluded to recon-
vene special board which was appointed
some time ago to deal with this matter, and
which had recommended that the use of the
prepared wood be curtaied in some meas
ure in American warship building.
Naval officials say that serious irregu-
larity occurred at the time the ships of
Admiral Cervera's fleet hauled down their
colors and surrendered.
Spanish Destroyed Ships and Guns
Inquiries have brought out the fact that
the breech blocks of the guns were thrown
overheard, thus disabling the guns and
making them practically worthless, and
the valves by which the ships were flooded
were opened after the surrender, which
was breach of the rules Of warfare, the
enemy having ceased fighting and having
asked for quarter. 1t is said that further
destruction Of the ships at such time was
both wanton and dishonorable, and that
X the persons responsible for 1t are To-
Gated, they are likely to be held account
able.
The department has not yet received the
report of the court of inquiry, showing in
detail the injuries to these ships and the
possibilities of salvage. The press report
of the boards findings, saying that only
the Maria Teresa could be saved, excited
much surprise, as it was confidently be-
lieved that the Colon also could be saved.
In whole or in part. The officials are still
hopeful that the full report of the board
will show that there is a chance Of saving
the Colon.