davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
Ar FoRT SAM HOUSTON.
Light battery VIII Not Go to Prnc-
ficc Hui RemAIn for InntrnctiOn.

San Antonio, Texas February 4.-The
sensation today at Fort Sam Houston, the
large military post at this place, Is the or
der from headquarters suspendins for the
present the Order sending light battery X,
First artillery, into the mountains ON It's
annual thirty days target practice. Inc
battery, consisting of four pieces ana lo'
men, under command of Captain l)ilien-
back, were to have started for the artillery
target range in the mountains on Marcn 4,
but last night instructions were received
to keep the battery at the post until tur-
Their orders.
Colonel Louis II. Carpenter. commander
OF Fort Sam Houston. stated that no rea-
nons were given for OBTAINING the battery
at the post, saying 1t was aurnised that
the artillery was to remain here TO await
the arrival of the inspector general oil inc
army. Colonel Lawton. Colonel Carpenter
had no idea when the inspector general
was due to arrive at this post.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

tiles to show every forbear,n,. n
ly spirit. ence ~ 4
The Spanish cruiser v,,...
VIII sail tomorrow for HsrsssA n
matter wholly within the arr a
tam Eulate. 1t is probable ~.
nave gone before this time 10 I. n
for the misleading imprs.s ~ y =
early departure might oocaslss =
reports received today a. "
speak with satisfaction q ~
which the government otae,.,
York have shown the officess \. Y
the Spanish ship. ~
Captain Sobral, late naya, ~.
legation, came to Washln.t~
and conferred with Senior No.
misunderstanding which has ~
the official status is due ID 4.
the official notification Of ~ NJ Y
of his services has not come i u 4, /
the naval chiefs under vhom (.
The decree was formally ealet,sS Il
and during Captain Sobrals M,
received from Madrid notice a ~.
at once. He viii therefore NV n
steamer and this apparently dIsn~s !
incident with which his mama N.
connected. -
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

mcnt the first Information OF tho limo that
the divers have been In tho vicinity OF The
zone Of the explosion. as he termed II. Tr's
zone is confined to the forward part o.
the ship and while the divers have bten
down aft for the last week. their work itr-
ward In the vicinity OF the large maya, ne
has been In progress only four dags, vhi'i
presumably began on Monday and included
today.
The statement In the sigsbee dispatch
that "friends OF the dead should uDher-
stand we are In the tropics is understood
at the department TO refer TO the urgent
pleas OF relatives OF the doid that tney
be brought to the United States. These ny
peals continue to be received here anu
While they excite the deepest sympathy
OF the officials, no hope can be heid ous
that the dead can be brought BACK.
There are circumstances wnich II tney
could be made known, would ebu sue"
nppeajs and would show that the depart
ment has not been wanting IN q ueslre "
bring the remains to this country. lnese
circumstances have been withheld mainly
through desire to save friends ana rel,
atiycs from the pain which would be caused
nv a full disclosure OF the effect OF the eN-
plosiop The press reports have given IN
nart Tho terrible mutiation of the bodies.
but II is feared this has not been fuliy
realized by friends and relatives. The mon
were sleeping on the berth deck with
metal floors. which by the force OF the
terrific explosion. were ground together 10
a confused mass. Knowing this there Is
little hope that many OF the bodies stu
missing will be found or, If found, that
they will be In a condition to be brought
to the United States
The navy department today gave out
the figures showing the strength OF the
naval militia up to date. THIS shows
total force OF 45i5 officers and enlisted men.
which is a gratifying increase from the
1908 shown by the last report.
New brigades are In process OF formation,
which promises TO swell the total to much
larger figures at an early day.
In his last report Mr., Roosevelt snid that
tho State naval militia, in the event OF
sudden emergency could be utilized mt
once for manning the smaller naval cruis-
ers 1t could be depended upon mainly, he
said, as . second line of defense and also
be used in placing mines and signal sta
lions for coast defense. The appropriation
of SAP. 900 made by congress 10 aid the work
uf the naval militia VIII be apportoncd
among the States in fcw days.
Thanks TO the prompincss and efficiency
OF the chief Of engineers and the ehiet of
ordnance of the army, the city of Washing
ton is now regarded as being wen nigh
safe and secure from attack by water. The
Notifications at Fort Washington and
Sheridan Point on the opposite side of the
Potomac are sufficiently advanced to be
able to rcpel an ordinary floot OF INVADERS
and In case of necessity thoy could be
vastly strengthened In comparatively
short time These dcfouscs are considered
sufficient to keep all the hostile vessels bo-
vond the range OF gunshot of the National
caDltal
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
WHAT WILL DE DONE.
when the Proper Time Arrives Nc
l>inIcN WI Act WITH NiEor.

st. Louis, Mo. February 2i.-General
William H. Powell of Belleville, H.. who
was In command of the regiment in which
President Mckinley served during tho clyil
war and who was recently appointed com
missioner OF internal revenue for the
Southern district of Illinois. returned from
Washington today The general, who is a
personal friend OF President Mckinley, said
that while at the capitol he discussed the
Maine disaster and its probable results with
the chief executive,
The president stated TO me-" said the
general, that he was only waiting for a
complete report OF the naval board Of In
qury, and that should 1t report that our
sailors had mot death through Spanish
treachery ho was prepared 10 act at once
and In a manner which would meet the
approval OF every loyal American citizen ="
General Powell said that preparations for
war were being pushed with the utmost
vIgor. aud added II am convinced that
President Mckinley is the right man In
the right place and that rs soon as Spanish
treachery has been proven his policy will
be rigid enough to meet the approval of
even the j!ngoes"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
cincinnntI at Bnrbndocs.

Washington. February A.-the cruiser
Cincinnati arrived today at Barbados she
ran over from Para, Brazil. the reason as
signed for the trip being the desire of tue
department that she had to take coal at an
uninfected port Barbados, 1t is said. In
further exclamation, always has on hand a
large supply OF excellent English naNisa-
ton coal Mt very moderate prices.
News OF the arrival of the castine a,
Barbadoes is expected at any moment ana
the two ships probably will remain cruising
among the smaller islands of the Caribbean
sea until about April |. when 1t rs the pie pre-,
emf Intention tn return them to the Brazil
ian coast, probably TO the lslande La
Ernndh.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
FOUR CONCLUSIONS ARE REACHED.
All Point to the Use OF Some External Agency in Sink
ing the Maine in Havana fiarbor.

New York February the
anston' -FOUR important conclusions reached
Official cabeeram
These are
The boilers OF the the
strucon can no be placeiu them
bomb had thu
have to
Coal bnnkers around the forward
the
explosion o
Admiral the
Long and other
Evidence is M lacking that the
Havana the
opinion
telling Of the condition III
tho court In
sleiv tnveAlsasnR
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
MINE OR TORpEpoEs.
some Startling Discoveries Made NV
tho Divers.

New York, February 24.-Dispatches
from the Heralds correspondents in Kew
West state that the operations of the div
ers at the wreck of the Maine are result
ing in discoveries tending to show that the
primary cause of the explosion was !, MIN,
or torpedo drifted under the keel of The
batueship. Evidence before the court NJ
INQUIRY Is developing many important
facts, and the work is going on SO expe-
ditiousiy that the court viii complete ,ts
sessions in Havana by Friday at the LAT
est. There is no possibility, II is asserted
OF a DISAGREEMENT among the members Of
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

washington, February 24-No orders nave
been issued az vet for any vessel TO go to
Havana 10 replace the Maine Secretary
Long said some DAYS ago that Vsssei
would be sent 10 Havana later and that
either the Nashville or Montgomery will be
selected. 1t can be stated authoriiatlvely
that that is still the situation ana that no
conclusion has been reached as TO when
another warship will replace the Maine
The Montgomery has been ordered 10 Key
West frcm Tampa, but her orders do not
direct her to proceed further.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
A REUNION OF DEMOCRATS
Bryan Rciterates That the
Question is the Problem

Topeka, Kan, February A'--nnA'
Bryan addressed 500 democrats at . u
held in this city tonight. The s'u]
was in the nature of reunion Of Y.
Gratis. It's magnitude gives i eon'A
significance as showing the u, n
strength as balance oil poTa ~
this State. Many speakers OF Sxs. 7
nence addressed the meeting. ~
asserted that the money problem v v.
the paramount issue in the nea. "a
and cited the fact that the Nauu,.
mittee of the democratic ana ~
lican parties had issued Address, ss,,,s
they assert that the money Que,ts X.
issue ard call for co-operat'on o. =
that it may triumph. I'm,
In an interview Mr.. Bryan e. ~ I
discuss the present crisis wiln nv, ~
said here was time enough 70 v a',
affair when the official inyesli "a "a
mittec on the Maine aiiair Wy
report,
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
River Information wanted.

Cincinnati. Ohio. February "a Wharf
master Alfred Ward received from the war
department at Washington today tele-
gram asking for Information as to packets
and towboats arriving and leaving this har-
Dor. The message asks that the names OF
all boats entering and leaving be for
warded, together with tho names of own
ers of said boats Also the amount of tom
mage and number Of passengers each boat
would be able 10 carry, rates of freight and
olso nassenper rAtcs.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
rRnrAnArroNs Ar CINCINNATI.
soldiers Have Becn Summoned from
the Rifle Ranges,

CINCINNATI, February 2i.--under nstruc-.
lions rom Washington, Colonel Cochran.
commandment Mt Fort Thomas. KY today
issued orders for bringing the men on rifle
range ut Snibertson. KY. back to the fort
New oayonets that can also be used for
uehehihg tools were Issued 10 all the
troops. The men are daily underyo,ns
fatigue drill and expect to 20 to Key Nest
instead OF Charleston, S. c., as reported.
me First regiment OF the Ohio National
Guard, located here. Is filling up with
recruits. Several unauthorized recruiting
stations for volunteers have been opened il,
ms eMy and their enrolment would more
than fill regiment
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

murderers was begun this morning before
the ,ipper court The proceedings were
confined TO the reading OF the records OF
the case when 1t was first tried by jury AZ
all this was already known to the public
not much interest was manifested ana
there were few people In the court The
proceedings will be more interesting to-
morrow when the attorneys OF the con-
demned men will begin to address tnc
bench Miguel Cabrara was the only one
~ the culprits who was present at this
mornings proceedings. He was strongly
guarded BY police. but no hostile demon
etrnfinu wne attempted.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
SUMMONED TO WASHINGTON.
Presumed He VIII Get Instruc,ion.
Ia Make Preparations

New Haven, cenn., February sa.--In re-
spouse to message from the secretary
OF me navy, y, q. auckland who COM
mands the naval battalion OF Connection,
left for Washington today. The order re.
seNed read rs follows; Commander Buck
ianu ol me Wyandotte will report TO navy
department at Washington on Friday
Although nothing definite as 10 the Inn
port OF Mr. Buckland's summons 10 Wash
lhston Is known. Il is thought he is 10 re.
eeive instructions about getting his mon
ready for service at short notice II neces-
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
WAS NO COMBUSTION.
No Conl in the Forward Bunkers and
Only AT Engincs Running.

n
Boston, Mass, February IA special
from Washington to the Journal at late
hour tonight conveys the most startling
and the most important authentic news of
the situation at Havana since the an
nouncement OF the disaster itself.
1t is nothing less than letter from an
engineer of the Maine 10 his superior, alb
solutely disproving the theories OF spon-
tanoous combustion and OF the bursting
of the boilers. which have been supported
by some of the leading naval authorities
and believed by many to be the probable
cause of the disaster. This letter proves
that there couldn't have been any spon-
taneous combustion, for the very good
reason that there wasn't any coal near
the iron bulkhead protecting the maya
zines, and that the boilers couldn't have
exploded because there wasn't any steam
up.
This letter has just been received by the
chief engineer of the bureau of steam en-
glneering. 1t is from an engineer officer
of the Inflated Maine whose name of
course, can not be divulged at the present
time because of the attitude the govern
ment has taken regarding the testimony
at the investigation. There is no uues-
ton regarding It's authenticity, however,
as 1t is given out by the chief engineer
himself ne letter says that the only
boilers having steam up on the night of
the explosion were the TWO after ones in
the compartment. which are the two
distant from the point Of damage, and
that these boilers had only very small
steam pressure.
The boilers were in excellent condition.
having recently been inspected and re-
paired at New York. The writer SAYS
that there was absolutely no chance for
spontaneous combustion OF coal, for the
very pertinent reason that there was no
coal in the forward bunkers; it had all
been used upon the trip from Key West to
Havana.
This letter disposes absolutely OF the
spontaneous combustion Theory which
has been held to so tenaciously nv certain
officers at the department, and which has
apparenuy been advanced also at Havana.
and leaves the cause OF the exnlosion
either in the magazines themselves or in
some outside influence.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
Thc Minneapolis rlontcd.

Philadelphia, February 2i.-The United
States cruiser Minneapolis was successful
Is fioated out Of the dry dock at the League
Island navy yard Al high tide this after
noon. The floating OF the cruiser was wit.
messed by nearly 1000 people. The Mime.
arolis has heen IN dry dock since last rc-
ctmber partly 10 avoid the ice in the river
and also to have necessary repairs made
TO her bottom. Notwithstanding all re-
uorts 10 the contrary, there is no unusual
activity at the yard
Resides the Minneapolis there are now
at League Island the cruiser Columbia
the monitor Miantonomah and the ram
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
THE FACTS.
Nothing viii he Knovn ~
investigation IL Cn,.,s.u

NOtutnG VIII he KNOWN r.ss|
Investigation IL Conr,ss.s|
Washington. February 24-rah J
from Havana have not chansed /, /,
gree the views of the high offic,b }
government as TO the pro5able ~,
the disaster to the Maine. h \
stated on the highest aGthority ih,i
lutely nothing of a disquietine nm
been received at the White Huus
any important news expected M
end of the inquiry and Its repct n
mitted.
1t can also be stated upon authuu|
to be questioned that the public M
fully informed as to all matters ~,
with the disaster to the Maine wAd|
come to the knowledge OF the goy,n
Nothing has been withheld Of NJ
public interest, and this policy viii n
tinued till the problem has been sol,I
the whole truth brought TO lrht
known that the government has n
ceived any informat..2 from
sources tending to show with suy ,
of certainty that the explosion ID
work of enemies.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
Inventor of the eating.

Cleveland. Ohio, February 24.--Dr r. J.
Calling. inventor of the famous Calling
gun which hears his name has just ar
rived in Cleveland to conduct the finishing
touches to the big coast defense gun be-
ing constructed for the government here
DR. Calling says the gun may be ready to
send East in a week. aud il the lathes are
not too busy al Washington 1t may be
riiied In about fortnight, General Miles,
commanding the army, and members of tho
bureau Of ordnance win be in Cleveland In
n few days to see the final work on the
new type of big coast defense guns.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

Atlanta, Ga, February 24.-It develops
today that the war department has ON file
at washington recent reports from all the
railroads In the Southeast, giving estimates
OF the number OF men and amount OF mu-
nitlons OF war they could move in given
number OF hours, and upon what notice
such movements could be made.
This Information, covering movements
from Atlanta to ports on the Atlantic and
gulf coasts, was collected with the Idea
that in case of war with Spain. or move
ment OF troops to Cuba, Atlanta would be
an important base OF operations, a supply
depot and forwarding station for the
movement OF troops. The situation OF At
anta is peculiarly favorable for such OPP
epatlons.
From Inquiries here 1t appears that In
case OF an emergency requiring tempo
rary interruption OF ordinary business the
various lines could move 100000 men from
Atlanta to Brunswick, Savannah. Port
Royal or Charleston within twenty-four
hours. They could deliver the same num-
Der Of men at Tampa, Punta Gorda and
Miami In thirty-six hours. These estl-
mates allow twelve hours to get the trains
ready after notice. The Southern railway
has over 60 per cent OF It's box cars
equipped with air brakes, and other roads
arc TO some extent equipped in the same
way. There are three lines TO New Or
leans that could deliver 10000 troops in
twenty four hours These figures are based
on estimates furnished the secretary of
war.
The amount of commissary business the
railroads could handle is practically un-
limited.
Atlanta Ga. February 2i.--ActiVity has
never been so great at Fort Mcpherson as
at the present time. The arrival of Cen
eral Merritt to inspect the work around
the fort and see that everything is In
readiness to move at IA moment to any
point that may be designated.
After consultation today between Colo
mel Cook, commandant Of the fort. and
railroad officials at which time Colonel
Cook was assured that the men could be
transported to FLORIDA within a night it
is said Colonel Cook told the railroad men
10 have cars ia tho yards for use at any
hour.
General Merritt will so to the fort to-
morrow morning and inspect the troops.
The muniti~ns of war have been greatly
Increased during the last few days, and
many of the officers are arranging their
private affairs to leave, as they confident
ly believe they will be called on to do so.
General Merritt was seen tonight and
asked n his arrival In tho city was any
indication of Immediate action on the part
OF the regiment.
NO" said he: sit ia part of my duty
to inspect each post in my division every
year. and / have come here merely as a
part of my routine work. 1t is not a war
like move at ALL"
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
AFTER PAuNCEFoTE.
English Ambassador Said to HIVE
Criticised the senate.

London, February 2i.-The Daily Mail
this morning alleges that attempts have
been made by newspapers in London and
New York to obtain some letters the Brit
ish ambassador TO the United States Sir
Julian Pauneefote, is supposed to have
written, containing strong expressions re-
garding the American senate's rejection OF
the arbitration treaty. The idea, according
to the Daily Mail. was to compel Sir Ju-
liam TO follow Dupuy De Lone The paper
adds: The campaign failed but il is evil
dent Sir Julian Pauncefote will have 10
tread wariiy -
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
TERROR undcr scented ORDERS.

Norfolk. Va. February "A The monitor
Terror left Norfolk at 1915 a. m. for sea
under sealed orders, but will cruise in
Hampton Roads a short time. The vessel
had been ready for sea since noon yoster-
day. on leaving the yard the Terror was
saiuted by the Franklin's guns. hut did not
respond Her departure created consider
able excitement and thousand Witnessed
H. Ihere was, however. no cheering from
the shore or the docks OF the vessel.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
NO NEWS SUPPRESSED

Washington. February 24-Ssc|
Long today, in answer to inquiries
whether the department is suppre.a
formation concerning the disaster I
Maine, wrote the following:
Navy Department, Washington, 4
airy 2i.-No telegram has been I'd
either from Admiral Sicard or a
Sampson or Sigsbee since yesterdsy.
the department has received no II!
ton with regard 10 the disaster ihis|
not already been made public. NJ
partment is waiting for the result q
inquiry and public opinion should N
pended until some official confirms
received. John D, u
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25

Little Rock. Ark, February 2i.--Great
activity prevails in military circles in Ar
kansas. Brigadier General c. h. Schaefer
of tho State guard Is being overwhelmed
with letters from all parts of the State
containing offers to enlist and go TO the
front. New companies are bang organized
ard the older ones are busy, BIigadier
General Schaefer said today that he could
II oblize 20 400 Arkarsans In less than
thirty days, should their services be
needed
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
neneAt Of Widows ana Ornhnn.

New York February PA thousand
representative people gathered at The
Metropolitan opera house this Afternoon to
bid for the boxes and seats for the per-
Torrance on Sunday night next for The
benefit of the families OF the sailors and
marines who lost their lives In the battle.
ship Maine.
Chauncey NJ. Depew made speech preyi
Gus TO the sale. The sale netted ssss6
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
The Artillery Incrcusc.

Washington, February 2i.--The increase
OF the artillery force of the country by two
regiments ms provided tor In the senate bill
was agreed or today by the subcommit,ee
and viii he reported to tho whole commit.
tee at the regular meeting tomorrow.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES
Many Significant Movements in All Parts of the
United States.

Katahdin, all out OF commission at present.
There are also eight old monitors at inc
yard, all Of them relics OF the civil war
but which could be fitted up quickly In
case they were needed
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-25
The Chinese Loan.

London, February 24.-hai ,,mx
loan, amounting to 9S,Ooo,wv W." !,
was written up today. The iss's !, I,
20 and the interest on .he ..slicly s.
cent. II will be offered puO''s'
hence,