Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-02-17
CATASTROPHE A MYSTERY
Disaster to Battleship Maine Causes Great
Excitement Through the Country--Many
Conflicting Reports Received.
DIVERS RECOVERED 10 BODIES OF SAILORS
The Navy Department Discredts the Story That An
Eight-Inch Percussion Hole Was Found in
the Bottom of the War Vessel.
TWO MENOFWAR SENT TO HAVANA UNDER ORDERS
Public Funeral Of Dead Held City Of Havana O'clock This After
noon-Unted States Government Will Care for Families Of the
Dead--Dsaster Will Be Thoroughly Investigated Before
Any Definite Action Will Be Taken.

Key West. Fla. Feb. l7.-The CORE
spondent here to the Associated Press
has just returned on the Olivette from
the scene of the wreck of the United
States battleship Maine, at Havana har-
Dor. The divers who have been work
ing about her bottom have discovered
an eight-inch percussion hole in her
plate.
Admiral ManterOla summoned Captain
Sigsbee to appear before Military Judge
Peral to make the necessary deposi-
tions.
All the proofs of torpedo work will be
removed. Another man of war is ex-
pected here tonight.
From Trustworthy Source.
New York, Feb. 17.-The bulletin re-
ceived from Key West indicating cv-
dence that torpedo had been used to
wreck the man-of-war Maine was writ
ten and sent by Mr.. Weatherford, reg
ular Associated Press correspondent at
Key West, who went to Havana recent
ly and who left the latter city OH yester-
day "wednesday at l o'clock on the
steamer Olivette.
Instructions to the Commander of the Wis.,
caya.
Madrid, Feb. II. = Premier Sagasta
held an important conference with the
minister of marine and Rear Admiral
Bermiio, on the subject of the voyage of
the iirst-class arm0red cruiser Viscaya
to the United States. 1t is said at the
ministry of marine that long telegram
in cipher has been sent to the Spanish
charge d'affaires at Washington, Senor
Dn BOSi, directing him to give instruc-
tions to the commander of the Viscaya
as soon as that vessel reaches the Ameri-
can coast, $50 he may be prepared to
avoid all eventualities.
Court of Inquiry to Investigate the Maine
Disaster
Washington. Feb. 17.-The navy de-
partment received this morning from
Admiral Siccard, in command of the
north Atlantic squadron, a dispatch
giving the detail of the court of in
quiry ordered to investigate the Maine
disaster as follows:
Captain Sampson, president of the
court; Captain Chadwick, Lieutenant
Commander Schroeder and Lieutenant
Commander Mark. Captain Sampson
is commander of the .battleshp Iowa,
Captain Chadwick commander of the
New York. Lieutenant Schroeder is the
executive officer of the Massachusetts,
Lieutenant Mark is the executive officer
of the Vermont.
Captain Sigsbee has Expressed no Opinion.
Washington, Feb. l7.--Secretary Long
positively denies that Captain Sigsbec
has In any way suppressed any kilograms
that expressed an opinion that tor
pcdo caused the disaster or that 1t came
from any external cause. The captain
said on the contrary, that he could not
venture to express an opinion.
Two Men of War to Go to Cuban Waters.
Dallas. Tex, Feb. IA private tele- |
gram from Galveston says that the bat
tleshlp Texas and the armored cruiser
Nashville have received orders from the
navy department to sail from Galveston
at once. Their exact destination has !
not yet been learned, but it is accepted !
by the public, that they 60 either to
Admiral Siccard's feet off Dry Tortugas
or direct to Havana.
Discretlits the Story of Percussion Hole In
Bottom Of the Maine.
Washington, Feb. 17.-The navy de-
partment absolutely discredits the story, |
that divers found an eight-inch percus-
sion hole in the bottom of the battleship |
Maine. Secretary Long says, there Is
no eight-inch torpedo and there is no
other way in which such hole could be |
n knA n 10 Cf IL
that shell exploding inside Of the ship
might have pierced hole of that kind |
in the outer skin, but that would be
readily revealed by the character of the
angle and whether or not the skin was
bulged in or out around the puncture.
The Report at the white House.
Washington, Feb. 17.-The Key West
bulletin, regarding the finding of a
hole in the bottom of the plate of the
Maine, and referred to as the
work of a torpedo was sent to the White
house by the Associated Press and shown
to President Mckinley. His only com
ment was, that 1t was the first he had
heard of 1t.
Havana Papers Deplore the Disaster.
Havana, Feb. 17.--The evening pa
pers Of Wednesday, except La Discussion,
printed leading editorial and sentimental
declarations Of sympathy with the |
Names survivors.
Feeling at Madrid.
Madrid, Feb. 17.--The disaster to the
.. $. battleship Maine is sincerely la
nented here, especially by Spanish off,
,ials, whose regret is mingled with APP
prehension lest the accident may aug
nent American hostility.
The government is confident, that the
lble policy of President Mckinley and
The good sense Of the majority OF Ameri-
,ans will maintain peace. !