Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-21
BAcHE's COMMANDER TALKS.
Ninety-nve Chances Out of \ Hundred
That Forward Magazine Did
NOf RIoyv Tn First.

Havana, Feb. 20.-Leutenant Commander
Barnett, of the survey boat Bache, said to
a correspondent of the Associated Press to-
day:
"You want the facts? I can tell you
there are ninety-five chances out of hun
dred that the investigation will show that
the forward magazine Of the Maine did
not blow up first, If it exploded at all, and
that 1t was not the cause of the terrific
consequences that followed. The condition
OF the wreck when first studied and later
careful scrutiny make this an almost abso-
lutte certainty"
Chaplain Chidwick. of the Maine. has re-
covered considerable sums OF money with
letters and other personal property from
tho bodies taken from the wreck In one
case the initials can be seen on the coat
lining and may serve to identify the body
of the wearer, but the harbor water Is so
filthy that the marks are nearly illesible.
Chaplain Chidwick Is one of the hardest
worked officers and upon him devolved some
Of the most repulsive duties Of the situation
1t is apparent that efficient work is not
possible with the divers and apparatus (
| hand and the arrival Of experts from the
United States is anxiously awaited. Father
Power. Of the Jesuits. arrived yesterday
from Tampa and Immediately visited the
Names wounded in the hospital
Scme friction, II Is reported, has oc-
CURED between Consul General Lee and
the other United States consuls in the
island over the distribution Of funds and
supplies sent from the United States for
the reeoncentrados. The complaint is made
that, though food and money have been
coming for several weeks nothing has been
distributed outside of Havana province.
Consul Barker, of Sagua Ia Grande, and
Consul Bryce, Of Matanzas, who came
here to learn the particulars Of the Maine
explosion, left. 1t is said. without calling
on the consul general. The reason given
was that they felt they had not been treat
ed fairly by the consul general. Each ex-
pected aid for his district from the Ameri-
can supplies. but received none. The
statement is made that it is their inten-
tion to appeal directly to the American
state department and to ask that food be
vsna consulate.
The incident has caused some comment
among Americans here, who regret 1t.
Consul Bryce says he Is sick at the sights
forced on him during the last two years.
He has reported the facts OF the case to
Washington and believes his district en-
titled to share Immediately in the aid of
fered. Counsel Barker says that a few days
ago he found man dead of want in the
market place OIL 6aSua Ia GranQe. Inc
minister took up collection. appealing to
all classes, but so great is the general
fmpoverishment that it yielded only $3.50.
Both consuls say this distress must grow
daily and that death will keep pace with
it unless relief Is afforded.
Consul General Lee when these matters
were brought to his attention, replied that
there was not the slightest intention to neg
lect the reconcentrados in the eastern prov
fnces, but he pointed ont that Havana, be.
ing the largest city, was consequently more
in need of succor. He asserted that he had
written the consuls that everything posi-
bic would be done for sufferers in those To-
calities as soon as supplies are available,
but the relief thus far has not been any
where near commensurate with the neces-
sity. He has deputed much of the work Of
distribution to Miss Clara Barton, who has
the confidence of all parties, and who is al
most constantly at work in conjunction
With the special agent OF the consul gen.
eral.
A dispatch has been received from Rear
Admiral Sicard that the lighthouse tender
Mangrove has left Key West for Havana
with a court of inquiry and additional div
ers and apparatus. She is expected here
tomorrow.
Neither spanish or Cuban divers will be
employed To-day divers recovered the
cipher code book. the log of the Maine and
many official and private papers.
The wounded are doing well. Probably
four or more will be taken to Key West
tomorrow by the Bache.