The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-19
D|SPOS|NG OF WAR RUMORS,
NAVY DEPARTMENT BUSY ALL DAY
ANSWERING WILD REPORax
Congress to Make Liberal Naval Ap-
prOpriA tions-Mck inley says If
Disaster Was Not Accident De-
cisive steps VIII BE Taken.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s-The feature OF
the day at the navy department was a
large number of rumors Of warlika tend
eney that came TO the attention OF the Of
nclals as requiring attention, and in every
case contradiction So formidable had
grown the list that at the close of office
hours Secretary Long was induced to
make the following statement as the
easier manner Of disposing at one time of
all these stories:
Really no information has been re-
ceived since Capt Sigsbee's first dispatch
adding anything to our know ledge of the
disaster. All We know is that the Maine
blew up. There is abundant room for spec
ulatlon Of all sorts, but no conclusion can
be arrived at until an examination has
been made BY divers and more facts OBJ
tanned. II is a simple fact to say that such
a thing might happen by design or it
might happen by accident. AS yet, there
is no indication OF such design. TnesS-
fore. my impression has been all along. and
l rather think general opinion preponder-
ates in the same direction, that il must
have been accidental.
The secretary also denied briefly and
comprehensively wild rumors that he had
requested the chief of police of New York
10 guard the Nizeaya, and that he had Sc
lected Naval Constructor Bowies to go to
Havana and raise the Maine.
The last work Of the day for him was 20
consult the representatives OF the wreck
ing companies who probably will have
charge of this work. and endeavor TO ar
range for both OF them to work together
so as to secure the use Of each peculiar
plant and 10 save time.
The secretary. when asked what was the
department estimate Of the conduct or
Capt. Sigshee. in the trying situation in
which he had been placed. replied.
Il think express the feeling OF the pres
ident, as well my own. when / say that
Capt. Sigsbee has conducted himself as an
officer of our navy should. He was the
last TO leave his ship when she went down.
His dispatch to me that night was COM
plete that, since then, l have thought of no
question of fact 10 ask him which is essen
tial 10 the situation and which he could
answer, which is not covered by that dis
patch. Its tone, too. is that of discreet
and level-headed man, who realized the
impression any word from him at that
time would have on tho public mind. Moth
ing Is harder than for a naval officer to lose
his ship. so that | have great sympathy
for him. l wait with confidence further re-
ports"
The navy department authorizes a de-
NAL of the statement attributed to Capt.
Siesnee that he recommended TO the de-
partment before ne sailed for Havana
that no other ship than the Maine be
sent 10 Havana, because the barber was
too dangerous. owing TO the number OF
torpedoes planted in the bottom. AS a
matter Of fact Capt. Sigsbee had not the
slightest hint given him that his ship
was 10 be selected for the visit twelve
hours before his departure.
The first news to reach the navy de-
partment today from the scene OF the
recent naval disaster at Havana was d
belated telegram OF last nights date from
III. a
OF the Names dead were buried during
the afternoon with great civil. eccle-
siastical naval and military ceremonies.
with all the resources of Havana brought
into requisltion. The Spanish government
took complete charge OF all arrangements.
AT an early hour this morning President
Mckinley decided TO make the following
statement regarding the Maine. which
was given out by his secretary:
Based on information now in his pos
session the president now believes the
Maine Was blown up the result OF an
accident. If II Is found that the disaster
was not an accident. prompt and decisive
steps VIII be taken in the premises. Tha
finding OF the naval court Will give the
cause, and until that Is submitted moth
ing will be done"
The only absentees from the cabine.
meeting today were Secretaries Sherman
ard Alyer The disaster 20 the Maine was
the principals topic or discUSSCn Secrs-
tary Long received cablegram from
Capt. Sigsbes giving an account Of the
funeral yesterday OF the fourteen vic
Tins substantially as cabl~d last night.
Although the president and members Of tho
cabinet await with interest the result OF
lha inquiry into the cause Of the dlsast ST.
there remains scarcely a doubt IN their
minds I: Vas an accidsn. purely. such "a
might IA ppea at any time. This view Of
the matter however. VIII not influence tn.
president to stop short of a most seaTch-
lrx iEv*st4E ton Into al facts that may
have Tsoss.hae bearing upcT the case
Tine disaster 81 The Maine has aroused
q feeling among members ~ me house
In favor OF extreme EheTaNty ira appro-
/ rriasions fot the naval and military -
Inmates tAe practical result CT which ls
likely - he the acceptance by the house.