Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-23
OFFICIAL news
4 Lack Of It at Both State and
Navy Departments.
A REMINDER OF THE DISASTER
The Water-Stained Medical Journal
of the Maine.
NO ORDERS FOR The TERROR
An Important Extract From a Pri-
vate Letter.
NO ORDERS FOR The TERROR
An Important Extract From a Pri-
BELIEF OF NAMES OFFICERS

There was a lack of official news re-
spectinG the Maine disaster in both State
and Navy Departments this morning, no
teiesra- - naving come in over night aud
rcne having 5eeT. dispatched. A reninucr
of the disaster. however. reached the Navy
Department in the shape of n water-stain-
ed and brine-fiavCred package inclosug the
medical journal OF the Maine. This docu-
ment came thro Ugh Consul General Lees
nail pouch to the State Department. in
stead of through the malls. from which it
vas probably barred by it's weight. ii was
turned over 10 the chief clerk of the Navy
Department and by him referred 10 the
bureau Of medicine and surgery, where it
will be kept for future reference in case Of
necessity. The officials say the package
vas under water four days, from its ap-
pearance. and it still bears evidence of that
fact. besides having an unpleasant brack-
islI odor. The blue mark lines ruled on the
paper by the government printing office
are nearly faded out, but the reading in
the Journal in the metallic ink used by the
navy is clear AID distinct. OF course
there is nothing in the book bearing upon
the disaster, but it is tribute to the
methodical habit of Surgeon Heneberger.
the Maine's medical officer. that the record
was brought up to the last moment before
the wreck of the ship, the last entry being
February ID.
While there is an air of expectancy still
among the naval officers whenever there
Is the least sugg' stion of news from fIa-
vana, 1t appears that the department has
settled pretty well down into its old rou-
tine There is no longer much disposition
n tod to.
the disaster Probably this is from lack
o. evidence to base theory upon, CT be-
cause the ingenuity of the experts in de-
vsing hypothesis has been exhausted
No Orders for the Terror.
No orders have yet gone out to the big
touble-turreted monitor Terror so the sit
cation as TO her remains as it did yester-
Gay. when Secretary Long stated that she
was being held for orders at Norfolk
In regard to the statement coming from
Key West that naval officers there had
been warned by Admiral Sicard, at the in
stance of the Navy Department. not to dis
ouss the Maine disaster publicly or with
the newspaper men, ii is said by naval
officers that this is orly the usual course,
Tor the regulations especially prohibit such
discussions as calculated to affect improp-
erly the conclusion of the inquiry and also
perhaps to cause interposition of obstacles
to the investigation
1t is probable that like instructions have
be en- given to the few naval officers who
remain with Captain Sigsbee at Havana.
engaged in paying the last sad rites to the
bodies CT the victims.
Reported Warming to Americans.
Consul General Lee may have. in the
course Of friendly talk in Havana, with
Americans, have expressed the view that
there are at present other places more de-
sirable as resorts for persons who have no
particular business there than Havana.
Ths State Department. however, has not
yet been advised that he has, either Off
cial!y or semi-officially. delivered himself
OF any expression on the subject
The Spanish legation also discredits re-
ports that Gen Lee has given any such
warning Mr. Du Bose, the charge daft
flares. said today that such complete Quiet
and harmony existed today at Havana that
1t was manifestly out OF the question that
any such warning had been given 1t is
also said at the department that no mes
sage has been conveyed TO the owners of
. American vessels at New Orleans or else
where- as reported. relative to their safety
IN Cuban ports at this time
Movements of the Wnrsbips.
The battle ship Texas and gunboat Nash
vide leave Galveston. Texas, TODAY fo-
Key West. wf>re II ey will reioin the other
vessels OF Admiral Sicard's sauadron NJ
that point. No orders for this movement
were sent by the Navy Department, and +,
= stated that X is In accordance with tl,..
orders given several weeks ago by which
The TWO ships were directed 70 remain at
Galveston from the 1Tth to the 23i instant.
there. and return to kay West on the lat
ter date This was before the Maine dIsas-
ter. 50 that the present movement is said
10 Fave no possible significance on the p,
cent occurrence The two ships will nov,
resume their part in the squadron eyoIu-
tlcns according 10 the original program. mn.
less detached The Nashville has bs.n
thought Of in connection with the de;erni-
nation 10 send another vessel TO Havana
when the present excitement has calnicd.
tae ehoice lying between the Nashville and
Montgomery. No determination, however
has YET been reached on that point
Rendezvous at Key West
Simultaneous with tn, departure today OF
the fexAs and Nashville from Galveston
Tor Key West. the Marblehead will leave
New Orleans and the Detroit will leave
Mobile for Key West. These movements
are also part of the orders given early
TITS month, before the Maine disaster. The
Navy Department had received no notifica-
iion OF the actual sailing OF ihs four ships