Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-17
THE s. S. MAINE DISASTER

Ine destruction OF Inc united states
battle-ship Maine by an explosion in
the harbor of Havana Tuesday night
has resulted, according to the official
reports, in the loss of two officers, Lieut..
Jenkins and Engineer Merritt, 256 men
and 81 100000 in money. The cause
of the disaster is wrapped in mystery
1t was decided yesterday, although the
decision may be reversed to-day, that
no other warship shall be sent TO Hav-
ana at this time.
After day of intense excitement at
the Navy Department and elsewhere,
growing out of the destruction of the
Maine, the situation at shutdown yes
terday, after the exchange OF a number
OF cablegrams between Washington and
Havana, can be summed up in the
words of Secretary Long, who, when
asked as he was about to depart for the
day whether he had reason to
suspect that the disaster was the
work of an enemy, replied II do not,
10 that l am informed by the fact
that Captain Sigsbee has not yet re-
ported to the Navy Department on the
cause. He is evidently waiting to
write q full report. So long as he does
not express himself, certainly Cannot.
l should think from the indications,
however, that there was an accident
that the magazine exploded. How
that came about | do not know. For
the present, at least, no other warship
will be sent to Havana"
Late yesterday afternoon Secretary
Long telegrsphed to Admiral Sicard at
Key West to appoint board of naval
officers to proceed at once to Havana,
employ divers, and generally to make
such inquiry as the regulations OF the
navy demand shall be made in the case
of the loss of a ship. 1t is expected
that this work will take some time.
The Navy Department late last
night gave out a dispatch from
Captain Sigsbee which read as fol-
lows: Gall men whose names have
not been telegraphed as saved are
thought TO be lost. Have given up
Jenkins and Merritt as lost. Bodies
floating ashore still this afternoon. |
keep nine officers, one private, and
Gunner's Mate Bullock with me-"
a message was received late last
plight from Consul General Lee by the
State Department which indicates that
Gen. Lee is not thoroughly satisfied
that the explosion was the result Of an
accident. The cablegram read as fol-
lows profound sorrow expressed by
Government and municipal authorities,
consuls of foreign nations, organized
bodies of all sorts and citizens generally.
Flags are at half mes on governor
generals palace, on shipping in harbor
and in city; busine. suspended, theatres
closed. Dead number about 260 Of
fcers' quarters being in rear and sea-
mems forward where explosion took
place accounts for greater proportional
loss of sailors. Funeral tomorrow at
3 p. m. Officers Merritt and Jenkins
still missing. Suppose you ask that
naval court of inquiry be held to ascer
tain cause of explosion. Hope our peo'
pie will repress excitement and ca mly
await decision" The message was
sent to the President.
The following semi-official note was
issued at Madrid yesterday evening;
1.-The news of the disaster to the
American warship Maine has produced
a painful impression in Madrid. TWAS
at first feared that the catastrophe
might be attributable to some rash act.
Afterwards, as the details were receiy-
ed, these fears were dissipated and
transformed into feelings of sympathy
and sorrow for the misfortune. Tne
government has expressed to United
States Minister Woodford its regret for
the catastrophe, especially in view of
the fact that it occurred in
waters within SPANS jurisdiction.
IAN admiral, in full uniform, has
called upon Minister Woodford in be.
half of the minister Of marine and the
cabinet"
a. dispatch from Havana says; The