The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-23
DAY FREE FROM RUMORS
NO SENSATIONS REGARDING THE MAINE
SP9UGG At WASHINGTON


the Feature of the Proceedings
at the Navy Department, the Only
One Where Business Was Not sus-
pended.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-Au the
government departments were closed
in Washington today save the navy
department, where q few of the off,
Gals assembled TO receive any dis
patches that might arrive and to close
the contract with the wreckers for the
recovery of the effects on the Maine
and the vessel herself If that be prac-
ticable. The signing Of the wreckiu z
contract was the most important event
of the day and this concluded, the Of
ffciaIs closed up shop and went home
10 enjoy respite from the rush Of the
past week
Capt. Sigsbee was heard from IN q
dispatch which indicates that close at
tenuOn Will be given to the coal bunk
ers by the naval court of inquiry
Washington officials unquestiOnably
have been for some time preparing for
any emergency that may arise, but
appearances at the department today
would indicate that any necessary
orders already have been given and
that the situation was not one calling
for immediate activity at Washington
The Castine and Cincinnati in ac-
Cordauce with orders made known
some time ago are TO move much
further north to West Indian waters,
and at Norfolk the monitor Terror has
been ordered to be in readiness and
may be sent to New York later.
The senate passed a bill to add two
artillery regiments to the strength OF
the army. This measure has been
urged for many months by officials of
the war department who f0reSaw that
while congress of late years had taken
measures for the protection of our
coasts by considerable appropriations
for extensive works and great guns, il
had not provided the men necessary to
operate these engines of war. Should
the house pass the bill it will enable
the department TO carry out plans 1t
has long had in view.
Criticisms lately passed upon the
state of the army and our fortihcdtiOns
have caused Increased activity in mill
tary matters and to some extent this
is responsible for reports arriving from
various quarters of movements at army
posts.
Report Denied
A report was circulated that Gen.
Miles. as commander of the army, had
issued additional orders for troops at
all forts TO be on the alert and ready
for immediate action, but this was
promptly denied by the generals chief
Of staff Nothing whatever of a SEN
sationaI character occurred in Wash
tngt0n, and, on the whole, the day was
free OF rumors by comparison with its
immediate predecessors for the past
week or more
Probably lieutenant Commander
%
the Maine, now in Havana, will be as
signed to the duty Of inspecting the
wrecking work as it proceeds
The officers of the two wrecking COM
panies today said that, after the expe-
dttion was assembled in Havana har-
Dor, a complete inspection of the wreck
would be made, and the exact line of
work determined upon. The facilities
will be so ample that all OF the divers
will be able to work at one time on diff
ferent parts of the wreck. Most Of the
lifting will be done by a smaller der
rick. which is of sufficient capacity for
the lighter upper works Of the Maine,
but it will take the monster derrick
Monarch to ltft-the huge turrets Of the
Maine and the guns mounted within
them. Capt. Hugheys stated that the
purpose was not TO separate the big
guns from the turrets. but to lift them
undertaking, as the combined weight
of each gun and turret IS sIxty-stx
tons. The Monarch can lift 260 tons.
so there is ample margin of lifting
power.
The wreckers were loath to express
an opinion as TO their ability TO raise
the hull of the Maine. Mr.. Chapma n
and Capt. Humphreys stated that moth
ing but close personal inspection
would permit decision on that point.
They are hopeful, however. that the
ship can be brought to the surface
The iron barge Lone Star will be used
to receive the turrets, guns and wreck
age, and, as fast as loads are made
up, she will be towed to the Norfolk
navy yard.
Wrecking Plans.
The plans of the recking expedition
for the relief of the Maine were COM
pleted today after long conferences ba-
tween Secretary Long and the represen-
tatives Of the Merritt & Chapman COM
pany Of New York, and the Boston
TowbOat company. The companies had
expected to begin work in Havana har-
Dor in about a week, but at the last
noment Secretary Long insisted that
provision should be made for sending
forward at once at least one large
wrecking boat with divers and equip
ments. This was agreed to, and a dis
patch was sent to the captain of the
sea wrecker. Right Arm, now at Key
West. to suspend his private work
there and proceed at once to Havana.
If the Right Arm has started north
torpedo boat will be sent after her
with orders to proceed to Havana.
The commander of the Right Arm
is ordered TO place himself with his
divers and machinery under the orders
of Capt Sigsbee, who thus viii be free
to avail himself of their services in the
recovery of bodies or any particularly
desirable piece Of equipment Of prop
erty before the regular wreeking opera
tionS begin These are emergency staps
which precede the main wrecking ex-
petition, which will be outftted at
Boston, New York and Norfolk. with
view to beginning extensive opera
tions within a week
The terms of the contract concluded
and signed today provide for the pay
nlent to the wrecking companies the
sum Of $S71 per day for their regular
plant, and an additional payment OF
$500 per day for the use of the Monarch.
while the latter is actually employed.
An express provision is made that the