The Portland daily press., 1898-02-21

NASONN'O-
Any interviews with me, if printed, are
untrue
Tho following telegram was received
by Secretary Long today from New
York: "When 1 arrived at New York
I heard of the Maine disaster. We feel
very deep sorrow and send our condolences
for the dead and their families.
(Signed)
''Eulate,
captain Spanish cruiser Vizcaya."
The published statement that Sena-
tor Proctor of Vermont who is now on
his way to Florida, was going to the ISL
and Of Cuba as special agent of Presi-
dent Mckinley to report upon the condit-
ion in the island, was denied tonight at
the White House.
The Machias, on route for the United
States from the Asiatic station, has ar
rived at Madeira
NOTHING LEARNED YET.
Washington, February 20.-The navy
department received three messages bear
ing on the Maine disaster this morning,
all bearing the date of yesterday. Capt.
Sigsbee reported from Havana that div
ing operations had been begun, but so
far without results. He also reported the
arrival at Havana of the Bache with div
ing apparatus and Admiral Sicard from
Key West reported that the court OF in
CURRY was to sail TO day for Havana on
board the Mangrove.
AGOOD IDEA.
Portsmouth, N. H., February co.
In an interview today Master Shipwright
W. F. .Noyes, acting naval constructor at
the navy yard suggested that the better
way to raise the Maine is by the build.
ing of Golfer dam. He said that. neither
of theI wrecking companies has the neces-
sary apparatus for raising so large YES
sci and neither will be able to carry out
it's plans.
BANGOR DIVER GOES TO HAVANA.
Bangor, February 20.- Thomas Fallen
of this city, leaves tomorrow for Havana,
where he will act as one of the divers who
will go down to the hull OF the battle
ship Maine and work on her.
NOT so PEACEFUL.
Norfolk, Va, February 19.-Orders
have been received at the navy yard to
keep the force working on the monitors
Puritan and Terror, and torpedo boats
Foote and Winslow, at work tonight and
ali day tomorrow. These vessels will be
ready for duty by Wednesday. 1t was
ed last night to go into ordinary, but
that this morning she was ordered to get
ready to go to Hampton Roads. Her
crew and officers will be here in few
days. Over 50 extra men were taken
on at the yard this morning.
OFF NEW YORK.
New York, February 19.-This evening
at 1910 the observer at Sandy Hook re-
ported warship passing there, bound
in, and that it appeared to him to be an
American vessel. The warship is an
chored about half a mile off shore be-
tween the point of the hook and the gov
eminent deck. The observer says that
she stands high out of the water and is
well lighted up. She looks like cruis-
er 1t is thought the vessel is the q. S.
S. Brooklyn, detailed some time ago In
honor of the visit of the Vizcaya.
WILL DO OUR OWN TING
Washington, February 19.-Se,retary
Long and Assistant Secretary Day Of the
State Department had an interview with
the President this morning, which lasted
nearly an hour.
Mr.. Day read cable message from
Consul General Lee at Havana transmit
ting request from the Spanish authori-
ties Cuba that the Spanish officials be
permitted to join with our own people in
making an investigation into the cause of
theidfsaster to the Maine.
The.matter was discussed at consider
able length and the conclusion was
reached, and Gen. Lee will be SO noti-
fed, that while this government is will
ing to afford the Spanish authorities all
reasonable facilities for conducting an
Investigation, it is thought best that the
first inquiry should be made by our own
commissioners.
A MAGAZINE EXPLOSION.
New Bedford. Mass, February 49,
Patrick Cunningham, the inventor of the
Cunningham torpedo, which is undergo
ing tests by the United States govern
ment says with relation to the disaster to
the Maine: "What I think possible
cause of the wreck was boiler explosion.
This would have caused a shower of
cement such as landed on the steamer
City of Washington. If the magazine on
the Maine had exploded, the entire City
of Havana would have been wrecked"
In a recent letter from Washington.