The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-02-19


press himself certainly cannot. / should
think from the indications. however. that
there was an accident-that the magazine
exploded How that came about do not
know For the present at least no other
war ship Will be sent to Havana"
Telegram from Gen. Lee.
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE following
cabegram was received AT the state de-
partment from Consul-General Lee at
0:l6 Wednesday night:
profound sorrow expressed by govern
ment and municipal authorities, consuls
OF foreign nations, organized bodies OF all
sorts and citizens generally. Flags at half
mast on governor generals palace. on ship
ping In harbor and IN the city. Business
is suspended, thea ters closed. Dead num-
her about 260. Officers quarters being In
rear and seamen's forward. where explo-
sion took place, accounts FOR greater pro-
portonal loss OF sailors. Officers Merritt
and Jenkins still missing. Suppose you ask
that naval court OF inquiry be held TO as
certain cause OF explosion. Hope our peo-
pie Will repress excitement and calmly
await decision"
Gravity of the situation.
The appalling nature of the disaster
and the gravity of the situation that
would arise should investigation give
a basis for the undercurrent of suspi-
cion of treachery and foul play that
ran through all minds had a SOLDERING
effect upon pubic men of all shades OF
political opinion. The fact stands forth
and is little less than remarkable that
not "A single resolution was introduced
or single speech made in either house
of congress. save one of coincidence
with the families of the killed, offered
by Mr.. Boutelle and adopted by the
house OF representatives. Public men
expressed their opinions with reserve
when approached for interviews. but
everywhere there was n demand for an
investigation and full details, in tie
light OF which the horror may be Justly
viewed.
Investigation Under Way.
Secretary Long undoubtedly summar-
lied the general opinion of the ma jori-
~ OF the naval experts in finding il
impossible just now 20 state the cause
of the destruction OF the Maine. There
are a great number of theories, but
most Of them are of character that
makes IL easy 10 prove or upset them by
single investigation by a diver. Sec
rotary Long has taken immediate steps
TO make this investigation. Late
Wednesday afternoon he telegraphed
To Admiral Sicard at Key West 10 APP
point board of naval officers to pro-
ceed at once TO Havana, employ divers
and generally to make such inquiry as
the regulations of the navy demand
shall be made in the case Of the loss Of
a ship. lt is expected that this work
will take some time, and, while there
are officers who say that in their opin-
ion IL will not be possible. owing 20 the
probably disrupted condition OF the
hull OF the ship, the opinion Of the ma
iority is that the question will be easily
settled by the simple observation of
the condition OF the ships hull plates
in the neighborhood OF the hole which
sunk her. whether or not they are
bulged out, as would be the case IL the
explosion came from the inside. or
whether they were driven in, as would
result from the attack OF torpedo or
the explosion OF mine beneath the
ship.
The large majority OF naval officers
are inclined 20 the belief TINT the ex-
plosion resulted from spontaneous com
bustion Of 4 coal bunker, the over-hent-
ing ~ the iron partitions between the
boilers and the magazine or from the
explosion OF boiler. though the last
theory finds little support.
Binnco's Iden Of the Cause.
The Spanish legation was early adj
vised OF the horror by Capt. Gen. Blan-
co. who expressed his profound regret
and added that the occurrence was n
chance accident. the undoubted cnusc
being an explosion of the boiler OF the
dynamo. This was the only specific
cause assigned from AN official source
during the day. NJ. Du Bose. the Span
ish charge. called nj the state depart
mont 20 express his profound regret,
ard the entire Spanish stan left their
cards NJ the navy department asa mark
OF personal coincidence. At all OF the
! foreign establishments there was the
/ deepest interest and solcitudc over the
affair. and during the day Ambassador
Cambon. OF France; Sir Julian Pauncc.
fotc. Of the British embassy. and other
foreign representatives called on the
I president or az the state department
To express their regrets.
Encct ON the Naval situation.
Both Secretary Long aud Assistant
/ Secretary Roosevelt called n consulta-
ton ia the forenoon of all OF the chiefs