davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
THE PRESIDENT
 MAY BE FORGED
 TO DECLARE WAR
Fear of Popular Indignation Com pelS MT. Mckinley to Enforce Silence Among the Men
 of the Navy

Government departments were closed in Washington to-day save the Navy Department, where a few of the officials assembled to receive any dispatches that might arrive and to close the con- tract with the wreckers for the recov- cry of the effects on the Maine and the vessel herself if that be practicable. The signing of the wrecking contract was the most important event of the day, and this concluded the officials closed up shop and went home to enjoy a respite from the rush of the past week.
 Captain Sigsbee was heard from in a dispatch which indicates that close attention will be given to the coal bunkers by the Navy Court of Inquiry.
 Washington officials unquestionably have been for some time preparing for any emergency that may arise but ap- pearances at the department to-day would indicate that any necessary or ders have already been given and that the situation is not one calling for i'm mediate activity at Washington. The Castine and Cincinnati, in accordance with orders made known some time ago, are to move much further north, to West Indian waters, and at Norfolk the monitor Terror has been ordered to be in readiness and will be sent to New York tomorrow.
 The Senate passed bill to add two artillery regiments to the strength of the navy. This measure has been urged for many months by officials of the War Department, who foresaw, that while Congress of late years had taken measures for the protection of our coasts by additional appropriations for extensive works, it had not provided the men necessary to operate these en- zines of war. Should the House pass the bill it will enable the department to carry out plans it has long had in view. Criticism lately passed upon the state of the army and our Notifications has caused increased activity in mili- tary matters and to some extent this Is responsible for reports arriving from various quarters of movements at army posts.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23

tanks for the six-inch magazine w,e found by the divers in the wreck of tb., structure It contained no nowder charge "uei
 The ten-inch magazine has not been closely examined at this writing but such inspection of it as was made Ieads my informant to believe the big pile of twisted wreckage that lies about the ion ot 1t IS composed of unexpIoded fen inch charges.
 My informant believes that the six inch magazine was exploded by the first shock that was felt, and that there was another explosion in the ten-incb mao azine
 Though l questioned him very closely I could gain no idea as to whether the curvature of the plates indicated that there had been an outside explosion. He could not tell me, as he had made no examination in that direction.
 The theory of two explosions is borne out by the testimony of Senor An tonic Caballero, well known tobacco dealer in Havana Senor Caballero was crossing the bay in the ferry-boat at the time of the disaster He was familiar with the Maine, having paid several visits to that craft, and was pointing out
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
DELUGED WITH THE
 OFFERS OF VOLUNTEERS
Governor Holcomb of Nebraska Could Turn Out a Big Army
 in Case of War.

NEW YORK. Feb. 22.-A Lincoln (Neb.) special to the Herald says: Governor Holcomb and Adjutant-Gen eral Barry have been deluged with proffers from National Guard members, ex-army men and citizens of their ser vices, and yesterday sixty-five citizens of Valentine rendered their services to President Mckinley through the Governor.
 Major Fechel. United States army, military attache to Governor Holcomb. has received a number of cipher tele- grams from Washington, but the con- tents are not disclosed. At Fort Nio- brara there Is more activity than any time since the Wounded Knee Indian uprising.
 Governor Holcomb refuses to say he has received any instructions from the War Department. He says the mili- tary strength of the State for immedi- ate service. fully equipped. is 1900 men, but that 200, 900 more will respond if the Government calls them.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
NAVAL OFFICERS
 SUSPECT TREACHERY.
So the Vast Quantity of Coal at Key West Is Now Being
 Searched.

NEW YORK, Feb. 22.-A Key West special to the Herald says: Notwith- standing the order issued by the Navy Department commanding all it's officers not to hold interviews with any person whatever in reference to the destruc- ton of the Maine, or other matters con nected with naval affairs. it Is evident from unguarded expressions heard in hotel corridors and in the streets that the opinion of foul play in connection
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23

One important discovery made was as to the position of the corpses found in the wreck, 100 of which were floating about the torn compartments. A full score of these were examined by my in fornant. All of these were in their hammocks and all had their arms curved upward as if they had been startled by some sudden shock of dan ger and were in the act of reaching up for their hammock hooks to swing themselves on deck when death came. This seems to confirm what has already been said about there having been two explosions, the first startling the men into the act of arising from their ham mocks, the other dashing the life out of them while they were in that position.
 Before the explosion the ten-inch magazine was located on the starboard side, forward, and beneath the forward turret. What is left of that magazine seems to have been driven toward the port bow in a diagonal and upward di- rection
 The six-inch magazine, which had its location in the port side of the ship for ward, was hurled in a direction directly opposite to that of the ten-inch maga- zine. One of the copper cylindrical
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
NOT A HOLIDAY
 AT THE CAPITAL.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22.-All the
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
oooeoeeoce co

HAVANA, Feb. 22.-The further inquiry into the that led the Maine disaster proceeds the remote appear the chances that any evidence will be discovered to show that the disaster was due to acc dent. able to give you the result the investoa tion made this morning by the divers Those that penetrated into the forward part of the wreck found that the whole forward end of the ship from point just aba the forward turret had been twisted fifteen twenty degrees to starboard
 That part ot the vessel wilderness of dehr;s and cured and twisted plates. The sharp jagged edoe of of the plates added danger to the difficulties f the divers by getting their life lines into tanoe and frayng the cords, and in instance almost cutt;no through the rubber tube which supplied the diver with air.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
What Is Shown by the Work of the Divers
 at Havana.
Officials at Washington Continue < to Make Peace PrOteStdtiOnS
 While Preparations for
 War Go Forward.
Copyrighted. 1898. by James Gordon Bennett.


 HAVANA, Feb. %. La Lucha, in editorial this afternoon, recommends that all correspondents of newspa= perS in the United States who send out charges against the au- thOrities of Spain be immediately expelled from Cuba. La Lucha also states that Captain Si9sbee has no right to take an active part in the Maine investigation, adding that in any other country the first official proceeding would be to COurt=nlartial him.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23
SPAIN WILL NOT SELL CUBA.
Copyrighted. 1sss by James Gordon Bennett.

of is in and have highest
 
  suggest arousing founded hopesi in
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23

"H0, Sd0 CdPfQM Mdgee, " as S00H as OUT experienced divers get to work and the surrounding mud is dredged out from under tie ships bottom we will be abie to explain the whole affair thoroughly, but our informa- ton will De given to nobody but property accredited Government officers.
 Captain Magee seemed deeply Impressed with the magnitude Of the issue Hanging upon fife work Of the men iaboring under his control He IS q discreet man and may De depended upon to do futhfui work and dis close no secrets except to the proper authorities.
 The order issued 6y ihe Secretary Of the Nary to aH officers forbiddIng hem under penalty Of co0rt-martiaf from granting in- terWews to any person, and particularly newspaper correspondents, n reference to the destruction Of the Maine or any n,atter connected with the disas ter is being rigoly enforced by the naval authorities. The order has naturally. from the open manner and abso- fute freedom with which aH information has been Heretofore given by attaches Of naval stations and officers Of vessels in the barbor, caused considerable comment in. this city and created the impression that tie Govern nent is in possession Of facts which perhaps have been developed by divers working in the Maine. which. # Known by fhe public, might precipitate premature action 6y the President; m other words might force the executive to declare war before the Govern ment is fully prepared to act. At nH events the order IS considered full Of significance. NOT A HOLIDAY
 AT THE CAPITAL. YU A AcIIIAYCm0An oo
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-23

NEW FORK, Fed. 22.-A Key West, F7a., special to he Heraid says: The caH-Heraid special dispatch boat arrived here from Havanu at4 o clock this afternoon. Notwithstanding the strong northeriy wind and heavy sea m the gulf fhe trim fttie steamer made the run across m q few hours. Her arrival in the har- bor, which caused considerable ex- citement, was simultaneous with that of he steamer 0Gvette from Tnmpo, and as tie latter slowed down m approaching her dock the fleet little dispatch boat steamed past with her Herald pennant flying to the breeze. exchanging saiutes with their musical whistle.
 As indicated m my dispatches fast night the wrecking tug Right Arm sailed this evening for Havana, hay ing been sent by the naval author ties to assist n the examination Of the Maine. Captain Magee told me he had no doubt his men would De able within few hours to deter mine the cause Of the disaster to- morrow.
 Assuming" said, "that the action or mine or torpedo from the exterior caused the explosion of the magazines, would magazine explosion have obGter1ted evidences Of the prior explosion Of the mines"
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
SIsTERsyILLE.

Sistersvile. May quite a sensa-
ton was caused in this city last even
ing by the arrest Of A. NJ Cheeks. who
has been connected with the Arlington
Hotel for a couple of years. Mr..
Cheeks has had charge Of the bar if
the hotel since his connection with the
place ard James F. Dolan, the proprie-
tor CT the hotel had him arrested
charging him with the theft of $4,000
and quite a lot of whisky. He was
taken before Squire Henderson, who
demanded bail in the sum of $1,000 for
his appearance at court This morning
bail had not yet been secured. He is in
charge of an officer.
Miss NJ. T. Wells. of Wells street, IS
the guest of relatives ard friends in
Wheeling for a couple Of days.
George A. Shryock returned this af-
ternoon from Parkersburg.
c. J. Hall went to Marietta this at-
ternoon.
Harry Patton, who has been south OF
Parkersburg looking after well ne is
drilling there, has returned to the city
John A. George of Parkersburg, is IN
the city.
Miss MolNe Roome left this Afternoon
for Wheeling, where she will visit
friends for a short time.
Ed Dalton. w. f. Doyle and William
Tompkins, of this city, have left for
the Cheat river where they sill stay
for a week or ten days fishing for truot.
r. Z. Merker has returned from a
visit to Parkersburg.
Miss Elvirda Curtis. of West Liberty,
who has been the guest Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Abe Cox. of the South Side, has return
ed home. Miss Curtis is the sister of
Lieutenant Curtis. of the Bennington,
who is located at Honolulu and in
letter received from hi mhe says the
men on the Bennington are doing ev-
erything possible to be called back
home and sent TO fight the Spaniards.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
FLAGS MINGLED.
Many Evidences Of Sympathy Apparent
at Halifax.

Halifax. n S.. May 6.-The Second
battalion of the Leinster regiment was
given an enthusiastic farewell as the
troops marched over to the wharf TO
embark. Long before the hour of de-
parture from the barracks thousands
of spectators gathered at the navy yard
The band played Rule Britannia and
The Star Spangled Banner" Amer
lean and British flags We're in evidence,
and one would imagine that the troops
were embarking to assist the United
States. On Water street. through
which the battalion passed. the Stars
and Stripes and the Union Jack were
displayed side by side.
Just as the last man went on the
troopshp a cablegram was received
from the war Office. England directing
the commander of the ship to hold the
vessel until further orders Col. Glen
Gerry said he would not be surprised if
the troops were ordered to Vancouver
to go to the PHILIPPINE Islands
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
-
I'm CAMP.
BY Alta NJ. Jones

Dew drops glitter on the white tents.
Down in Chickamauga : vale.
Night has spread her sable mantle
Over brook and hill and dale,
Soldier boys are calmly sleeping
Meath the moonlightS silver charms,
Waiting for the din Of battle
And the cry to arms. TO arms,
They are dreaming Of their fathers,
Who camped in that self-same place
When the bloom of youth was with then
And care lines on their face.
Southern boys We're clad in gray cloth,
Northern boys were clad in blue,
Now as one they're all united,
Patriotic, firm and true.
One flag flaunts her colors DER them
Making each hero brave.
Fearing not the crash Of battle
If they fill soldiers grave.
Let us not forget the soldiers
Camped beneath the Southern skies:
With their white tents all a-fiutter
BY the gentle spring breathes signs
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
MARTINS FERRY.

The opening performance of the
Mystic Midgets was given at the
Opera House yesterday evening, prov
ing very successful in every respect
Notwithstanding the very disagreeable
weather, the attendance was good.
The performance was strictly first
class in every respect. the young peO-
pie sustaining their parts in d manner
that was appreciated by the audience
The costumes and scenery were pretty
and attractive. The performance will
be repeated this evening.
John Bratt, an aged citizen of this
place residing on Crawford street, died
yesterday morning, after a lengthy
illness caused by Bright's disease
Funeral services We're held yesterday
evening at his late home. The remains
will be taken to New Castle to-day
to be inferred.
Chris Heii's horseran off yesterday
morning On Hanover street. but was
stopped before any damage was done
Horace Ratcllff, Of Mt. Pleasant, was
in town yesterday
Will Fletcher who died at the
North Wheeling hospital Thursday
evening. was a brother Of Miss Emma
Fletcher, a teacher in the schools at
this place.
Officer Westwood was at St Glars
vile yesterday on business
Miss Laura Swartz is at GAINESVILLE
attending the Presbyterian Sunday
school convention.
Mrs. p Crowl. Of Third street, is
confined to her home quite ILL.,
Thursday morning a large two
story frame dwelling house owned by
Jessie Steer, near Colerain. caught fire
fro ma Deceive fiue and was entirely
destroyed The loss will be quite
heavy to Mr. Steer. as he was having
the house repaired and had the work
about completed, with the exception
of putting on new roof which was
to have been put on yesterday
Harry Bentz left yesterday for Pitts
burg to visit friends for few days
Park Anderson who for several
years has been associated with the
| evening paper Of this place, has en-
listed in company NJ, Third o. " T..
at Columbus.
Dr. J. NJ. Hogan was some better yes
terday, having recovered to the Slight
| est degree the partial use of the left
part Of his body, which was completely
paralyzed
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07

The torpedo boat hasn't proven TO be
such a dangerous engine of war after
all In the present war up to date 1t
has cut no figure at all. Nor do harbor
mines and torpedoes seem to amount
to much against an attacking feet pro-
viding The latter is on the lookout for
them as witness Commodore Dewey's
success in running the mine gauntlet at
Manila The only really effective engines
cf war after all seem to be heavy guns
and brave and skillful men back Of
them
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
the INDIANA VICTORY

We have been so interested in the
war that we came near overlooking the
interesting fact that Indiana in her mu
nicipal elections has just gone over
whelmingly Democratic
The administration has been relying
on the war to bolster up the Republi-
can party all along the line, but the
Democrats seem to have reaped what
ever of political advantage there was in
il, for they have swept Indiana from
one end 10 the other. gaining every
where and reversing several big Re
publican majorities.
Il is not so easy TO fool the people in
these matters Although the Republi-
car orators spouted war talk in Indiana
the people remembered that the admin
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07
OUR FRIENDS ABROAD.

Il. 1t has steadily been the policy OF
the United States to avoid alliances
with foreign nations that might re
suit in ENHANCEMENT with their al
fairs which, if it did not keep the
United States in a constant state OF
embodiment, would keep it constant
ly in apprehension and necessitate our
government always being on war
footing to meet any emergencies, as
European governments aIe. While this
exclusive attitude of the United States
has not won lis any friends abroad it
has not lost us any that would be de-
sirable or effective allies should pres
in the present war.
| How the nations would line up has
been made pretty clear. France, de-
| spite her historical friendship for the
| United States. is not our friend in the
present emergency. And in case
she should take a hand in the
! hostilities it would probably not be
long until her ancient enemy, Germany,
would follow, for Germany, too, is I'M
friendly and jealous Of the United
States with no reason at all. Austria,
the mother CT the Spanish queen re-
gent, would follow Germany, and Italy
and Portugal would naturally fall in
line on the same side
Against this formidable array, what
| nations would be likely to come to the
| aid Of the United States? We may put
| down England. the most powerful Of
| them all. to begin with. England
makes no concealment of her friend
| ship for the United States and her de-
| light at American victories over the
Spanish. A member of Russia's lega-
| ton at Washington, in correcting some
! wrong impressions. makes it plain
! that Russia is friendly to the United
! States and if put to it would probab
| side with US These two great nations
! alone on the side of the United States
! would make the balance complete
Spain being welcome to all the rest
But Uncle Sam has another strong
friend among the nations Of the
world. this time in Asia in little, but
powerful and valiant Japan.
Thus. as near as can be judged from
the present Indications. would the ma
! tons take sides in the present hostili-
ties should any of them be drawn into
it and general conflict precipitated.
And it will not take a naval expert
long TO figure cut that the United
States. England, Russia and Japan
could sweep all the other nations OF
| the earth from the seas.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-07

,6yocsfps within our borders of the
dangerous policy of reaching out for
foreign territory. The Hawaiian party
we have with us already, and there Is
No ignoring the fact that it has gained
recruits during the present war. Of
course. in time Of war Hawaii. as in the
present instance. might be more or less
mnortant as a base of operations, but
the United States does not expect to be
continually at war. and it is doubtful
if this advantage woud compensate for
the trouble we would have in govern
ing that mcngrel and half savage popu-
lation: moreover. we have managed to
get along pretty well thus far without
Hawaii. and will probably be able TO
pull through a victory without its aid.
The same may be said of the Samoan
Islands. 1t is advocated now that we
posed foothold would amount to no
more than the maintenance of certain
treaty rights and coaling station, well
and good, but anything more in any OF
these islands Of the Pacific than that
we neither want nor need. OF course,
since our victory at Manila there has
been demand born of innate covetous-
ness that exists in all human nature
that we retain possession Of the rich
ll,;i JSla
are very rich and their commerce is
very large. but we have the bulk OF
that commerce now, more of it in fact
than all the rest of the world put to-
gether, as was shown in these columns
from the reports of the State Depart
ment Yesterday. What else do we want
from these islands? We surely 90 not
want to own them and be responsible
for the government OF their mixed and
half civilized population. Such for
eign possessions would be the source
of endless trouble to our government,
would require us to leave their gov
ernment largely to themselves with the
prospect that at some time they should
become States OF this Union, we would
find their management practical inn
possibility under our system of gov
ernment, while 70 take care OF them
and TO protect them from themselves
and foreign foes would require the Uni
ted States TO increase its navy TO about
four times its present size and main
tain it and our army on a war footing
all the time.
The most reasonable proposition Of
all is that We annex Cuba, which
is more American and more civil
lied than any of them, and yet it is the
judgment of calm wisdom and far tee
ing craftsmanship that we do not want
Cuba as territory or as a State. but
should leave the Queen of the Antilles
TO work out her own destiny
What need has the United States for
more territory or wider rule? We have
more Territory now IMAM we nave pop
ulation for, while our government has
| quite as much as it can do to manage
affairs as they exist without extending
their scope and charging the possibili-
ties for entanglements and trouble for
eign and domestic.
Let us maintain our faith in the wis
dom of our fathers.