The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-26
In the Meantime, They Are Strength,
ening Defenscs and Discussing
Possible Future Action.
ALSO EXAMINING PRECEDENTS
IN CASE III Is NECESSARY TO DE-
MAND INDEMNITY FROM SPAIN.
What Has Been Done Heretofore
Where Wrongs Have Been Com
mitted Against Americans.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-In view of the
widely published report that the harbor of
Havana contains a system of submarine
mines statement around which has CEN
tered the chief public interest in connection
with the disaster to the battle ship Maine,
Senor Du Bose, Spanish charge daffaires at
Washington, tonight made TO the Asso-
ciated Press the following statement,
which, coming from such an authority, may
be considered as an official denial:
Il wish to state my official
knowledge, that no mine exists inside or
outside of Havana harbor, nor is there any
submarine defense of any kind. The report
is SO absolutely false and ridiculous that it
could only have originated in the minds of
those persons anxious to incite the evil pas
sions of both nations for their own misera-
BILE ends. | consider the very suggestion of
such a thing an insult to Spain"
The House committee on naval affairs
agreed to-day on the Boutelle Maine relief
bill, reporting it favorably to the House.
In spite of the stories that come from
Havana as to sensational developments in
connection with the work of the divers in
the Names hull the administration remains
firm in its statement that there is no cred
ible evidence one way or the other as to
the cause of the disaster, and holds to it's
purpose to await the conclusion of the in
vestigation now making by the court of in
uuiry. This position was emphasized at to-
days Cabinet meeting. The members,
without reservation, frankly admitted that
the subject of the loss OF the Maine had
been discussed, but said the government had
received no information from Havana since
yesterday, and had no intention of changing
its policy until there was something of sub
stance to warrant it. The Spanish legation
was equally in the dark as TO any of the
discoveries reported from sources that are
not cited, as was shown by message from
Captain General Blanco.
SECRETARY LONG RESTING.
Secretary Long has been under a heavy
and almost constant strain ever since he
was awakened in the middle of the night a
week ago last Tuesday by the news of the
loss of the Maine, and now that matters
are, at least for the time being, in quieter
state, he has withdrawn from the Navy De-
partment gone away for few days
rest, leaving Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
to manage the department. The latter has
been thoroughly advised at every step of
the secretary's policy of treatment of the
Maine affair, SO that there is not likely to
be any change in that respect caused by
the temporary assumption of the duties of
secretary by Mr.. Roosevelt. just before the
department closed he had word of the sail
ing of the cruiser Montgomery from Tampa
for Key West. Up to that time the vessel
had been given no orders, so that the date
of her departure for Havana, if she is TO
go at all, is conjectural The ship went to
Tampa instead of Key West, on her return
from Domingo N Ordp m fani
the speedy return to his duties in Washing
ton of Captain Crowninshield, the chief of
the Navigation Bureau, who saved a full
day by the movement. The Castine the
second of the United States war ships on
the South Atlantic station, arrived to-day
at Barbados, where she joined the Cincin-
natl. 1t may be that the Castine will go to
Martinique to be docked, she is in need
Of cleaning after her tropical service
Since SO much depends upon the report
of the court of inquiry, ii may be interest
ing mote that SO far Secretary Long does
not know when to expect this important
document, up TO this time having heard
nothing from any of the members on this
point. He rather expected the court. which
has complete power to work on it's own
lines, would wind up it's work at Havana
before leaving, so as to avoid the necessity
for return trip. One member Of the Cab
met had more definite opinion on the sub
ject, expecting the receipt of the report
from the court about the middle of next
week
DIVERS STORIES DOUBTED.
There is a disposition shown here among
all officials of the government to wait in
patience at the admonition of the Presi-
dent and Secretary Long until the facts re-
They are fully on their guard against the
acceptance of unauthorized statements of
the conditions at Havana and the daily de-
velopments, being aware of the efficiency
of the precautions adopted by the court of
inquiry to prevent the premature disclosure
of the proceedings. Therefore the pub
lshed statements that the explosion had
been demonstrated to be of exterior origin
by the discovery Of the upheaved double
bottom of the Maine did not cause much
of "a stir because the officials could not con
ceive that the alert members OF the court
of inquiry and their assistants in Havana
had overlooked fact so important as this
Notwithstanding it must have been per-
fectly apparent for the past week to any
one who came near the wreck.
Captain Crowninshield turned up at the
Navy Department to-day and took the helm
in the Bureau of Navigation. relieving Capt.
Dickens, who has distinguished himself and
earned the thanks OF the secretary for the
vigilance with which he has managed all
of the many details of the Maine affair that
have fallen upon the Navigation Bureau,
and of the newspaper men for the patience
and frankness with which he has met their
many inquiries. Captain Crowninshieids
absence has been made the basis for the
conjecture that he has been on secret sery-