Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-23
ADVISED TO LEAVE CUBA
Americans Get a Quiet Tip From Consul
General Lee.
Belief That Investigation Will Dis
prove Accident TheOry-Crisis Ex-
pected in Havana Over Report.

The late kilograms from Havana last
night all indicate that the result of the
investigation would disprove the theory of
accident. They also indicated that a crisis
in the already badly strained situation
would imm ediately follow such finding.
The correspondents of all the New York
papers agree that Gen. Lee has quietly
notified all Americans in Havana that 1t
would be a sensible precaution to send
their families back to the states, and ad-
yised all who had not urgent business there
to leave.
The New York Herald says: These pre-
cautions were taken in view of the fact
that there is strong suspicion that the vol
unteers and Weylerites have been inspired
to create trouble in case the Maine inquiry
proves that the catastrophe was due to de-
sign.
Bodies Recovered.
Diving operations at the wreck Of the
United States battle ship Maine were car
ried on today more briskly and with better
results than heretofore. at least SO far as
the work of recovering the bodies is con-
cerned. The men are now becoming ac-
oustomed to the lay of the wreck and pro-
coed with more freedom and confidence
than they had when they first ventured
into the murky depths.
Operations were confined entirely today
to the forward part of the ship. Twelve
bodies had been recovered up to 3 o'clock.
The divers also brought up deck chairs
and other articles that formed a part of
the ships furniture.
AS the bodies were brought to the sur
face they were towed by Spanish patrol
boat to the dock. where they were pre-
rared for burial. 1 spent a short time this
afternoon on board this barge in company
with Chaplain Chadwick.
The bodies presented Il Sickenng sight.
Out Of twelve recovered today it has been
impossible so far to identify one. Most of
them are SCARED and burned beyond recog-
nition.' Those bodies that had not been
burned had been in the water so long that
the features were unrecognizable. Eight
OF the bodies were in such condition that
they were all placed in one coffin. AS the
bodies We're tCwed alongside the barge
Chaplain Chadwick peered anxiouslv over
the side. hoping that he might recognize
sorle familiar feature
Captain Siesbee at the time T was on
the barge with Chaplain Chadwick was on
the lighthouse tender Mangrove, Il few
yards AVA He was seated alone on the
deck. locking stern and sorrowful as
fresh evidence of the direful results of the
explosion that destroyed his vessel came
before mis- eyes.
The bodies recovered from the wreck.
with those of the men who died in the hos.
pltai. now number 15S. OF these only fifty
lave been identified II is possible that
marks on what is left of the clothing may
lead TO the identification of fifteen more
Operations of the divers TODAY did not
extend to that part of the wreck where
the officers quarters Were. and the bodies
OF Lieut. Friend W. jenkins and Passed
Assistant Engineer Darwin r. Merritt have
not vet been recovered
While the divers We're al work the shores
as usual were lined with throngs striving
10 follow all that was being done at tine
"re,k and on the boats near by Craft
OF all sorts swarmed in the vicinity of the
operations. approaching
patrol boats would permit them
Capt. SiSsbee'S Testimony.
Before the naval court of inquiry an
pointed to investigate the cause of the ex-
rlosion which wrecked the warship Cant.
Sigsbce today continr ed his story Of tho
disaster All the mCrnir was taken up
III this examination, during which time. 7
am able TO say. facts of great irnportance
nearing on the blowing up of the Maine
WOO hr"rSht out. Great care is taken tot
keep secret all of Capt Sigsbee's testi-
hl"Ty, ana the same care will be exercised
when other important witnesses appear
10 tore the court of inquiry
NO story of the Wrecking OF the Maine
Will however. be given such consideration
Nv the boz rd of inquiry that of Can't
SleSbee. who. as comma nier of the Tnitel
States war vessel. has ted just what steps
were taken to protect the battle ship
capt. SlSsbee yesterday gave valuable
Information as to this. but today IT is I'M
derstood. his testimony was of even greater
Importance. and through it a great lieht
mas been thrown upon the mystery of the
Maine disaster
When all of Capt. Sigsbee's testimony is
In the court of inquiry will proceed imme-
dlatciy to-the statements of other officers
Oh the Maine. and then the work of taking
testimony OF the wounded and other sur
V!Nors OF the battle ship will begin This
VIII probably consume considers BILE time
as me stories Of many of the crew of thy
Maine will be long.
Those Who wera nearest the scene of thu
explosion will he examined infinitely by the
court. Not one of these has as vet told hs
sicry in detail and when these stories are
tCId 1t is expected that they will be very
sensational Great Importance is attached
py the court 10 the testimony of these mer.
Spanish Investigation.
While the investigation in behalf oe the
United States is going on the Spanish au-
thoriiies arr not idle Dispositions Of OIL
GERS Of the Spanish vessels in the harbor
and OF harboT officials as to the Maize dis
asSer were today given before Judge Peral
o. the Spanish admiralty court In this
Wy the Spanish are working TO gather
facts rs to the Maine disaster hitherto I'M
known
Before the court of inquiry met On tE.
Aan5roEc To-Day menl erS of the court
paid an official visit to Admiral Manternla
IKE court did not visit the members Of The
autOuomist government
In honor of the victims of the Maine. tin,
military commando Of Granab2cca has or
dered the suspension for three days Of pub
lie festivities in the city. This work of re-
si'ect is greatly appreciated by the Anler-
irs,u colony in this city.
Rebels in the field have not been inactive
during the excitement following the de-
s!ructior Of the Maine.
General Pando in the Santiago distric.
has asked for endorsements to continue
his campaign against Calixto Garcia and
l.iah regulars have. been seat to him. Gen
eral eagaGements have taken place there
ret entity, but no details have reached the
pit2l.
La Lucha. i'm an editorial this afternoon.
recommends that all correspondents of
newspapers in the United States who send
cut charges against Spanish authorities be
Immediately expelled from Cuba.
Death OF another Maine SaiIc.
George W. Koebeier of Brooklyn died
y .; ~