Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-23

up to noon, but this is expected to come
during the day in view of the definite
ders for their sailing on the I'D The
Mcntsomery is also due al Key West hav-
ing left San Domingo for KY West on the
10TH.
Tie result VIII be to bring together again
the large number of vessels under Ad-
nliral Sicard at Key West and the imme-
dIate vicinity. These will be the New York.
row al Tortugas; Indiana, Massachusetts,
Texas. Iowa. Marblehead, Detroit Nash
vile, Montgomery. Ericsson and Cushing
The torpedo boats Porter and Dupont are
in dry dock at Mobile and are not expected
to be ready to go to Key West for several
Gays. the Brooklyn is also cruising in the
West Indies, at present on the way from
st. Thomas 10 Santa Cruz
Admiral sicard's Ill Health Continues
The noon mail brought to Secretary Lorg
a letter from Admiral Sicard OF Key West.
IL contains the bad news that the admiral
aas rot yet recovered his health and he
says that he will be unable to go TO sea
with the squadron. He will remain on
shore at his MOTEL in Key West, and retain
command of the squadron from that place
50 long as ii remains in harbor there, re-
linIuishing it only when it becomes neces-
squadron. 1t will be remembered that the
admiral bad suffered ali attack of malarial
fever. and had secured leave of absence of
two weeks from the department jus, before
the explosion on the Maine. He got as far
as Tampa but returned Immediately to his
command which for only one day he had
left in the hands of Capt. Sampson. Should
the squadron be obliged to go to sea with
the admiral i'll at Key West, and the Sc
hlor officer of mis- fleet, Capt SAMPSON ell
gagged III the investigation at Havana prob
ably The command of the squadron would
1evoIVe upon capt. Taylor, now command
ing ,.e battle snip Massachusetts and
commonly ,"garded as one of the brightest
and brainiest cf,,, ers in the naval service.
Hard work at the Navy Department.
Few understand the amol,,t of work that
has been thrust upon the officers GS-S en-
ployes of the Navy Department during the
naat 49,
...--. "a eAO..ririSs.t. A..e CicI .Ce.4
of the department has always been small
compared to the volume of work. None of
this routine work has in any degree dlmin
ishcd during the past week. On the con-
trilry, it Is augmented. and top of this
has come large amount of emergency
business caused By the disaster The ofl-
ISio nave "StiI up III MANY cases SGFerai
days and nights. almost without sleep, en-
gagged in the effort tc secure news to for
inUlate the necessary orders for the extern
sion of relief and to draw contracts for
the completion If the wreckng of the
Maine. Secretary Long today stated pub
icly that ne desired to record his appre-
citation OF the faithful services rendered by
the officers and employees, particularly of
[ he blIFa-tIIS nj Y yi.y.lti nd
the Office OF the judge advocate general.
The Right Arm, Goc. to- Havana.
a telegram from Key West received to-
DAY announced The sailing of the Merritt
6, Chapman wreclzing tug Right Arm from
Key West last evening. so without doubt
the vessel is now in Havana. and brought
10 Capt. Siesoee the reinforcements in the
matter of professional divers that he has
so urgently requested. With this assist
arce, it is believed that the work OF recov-
erinS bodies from the wrecked forward
portion of the Maine will be greatly facil-
itated
At the Spanish Legation.
Al the Spanish legation affairs have re-
sLmed their normal aspect Senor Du Bose
has received no reports of any character
concerning the Maine the progress be-
ing made by the Spanish authorities at
Havana III investigating the occurrence.
When the Spanish inquiry is completed the
report will doubtless be sent to Madrid
and is not likely to come TO the Spanish
authorities h ere. Mr.. Du Bose continues 10
sIeak of the satisfactory relations which
exist between the American and Spanish
authorities a Havana concerning the work
CT the wreck and the investigation of its
cause. 1t is not known here how far The
American court will avail Itself of the evil
dence of Spanish officers the Spanish
inquiry will include the evidence of Amer
lean officers, but all the indications reach
ing the officials here are that there will be
such cooperation as will be helpful to the
two branches of inquiry, and the courts
ay desire.
Mr.. Du Bose has received no word as 10
the reported capture of the DauntIess with
filiDusteriES expedition, which is said
10 have got away from point between
Miami and Palm Beach, Fla, recently. A
capture of this Importance would doubtless
be speedily reported to the Spanish author
tiles here, and in the absence of advices
little credit is given to the report.
Capt. Sobral cid not come to the Spanish
legation last night, as has been stated.
He has been expected for some days, how
ever, and probably will be here today, al
though his visit is said to be without sig
I.iticance, the incident with which his
name was secently connected is considered
closed.
THE OFFICERS BELIEF.
Announcement in Priyute Letter