davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

THE SHIPS DESTROYED BY COMMODORE
DEWEY AID THEIR ARMAMENT


DEWEY AND THEIR ARMAMENT
Washington May As soon az the Navy
Departrent officials had the Complete ISL "i
the Spanish ships destroyed by 'o'"hou'''
n.uev they turned to their data showing the
character of these vessels. as it gave iuI idea
Of tho extent Of the Devastation caused by the
American feet Taking the list in inc oro'r
reported by Commodore Dewey 'he S"'PH v"
stroyed are follows:
The REINA MARIA CHRISTINA was the largest
voeeeI ~ the Spanish fee. She was steel cruiser
Of $500 tons $50 indicated horsepower ana hhn
speed OF IN knots. She was buiIt AZ ferro J"
1856 Her length was PSI feet. her bread'h OF "'"'
WAS % tcc, and she drew IS feet # water Her
,., mon, consisted OF six 62-inch Hontoria guns.
,un pinch and three 22-inch rapid-hre rihcS
,wo li-inch six 3-pounder. TWO MhNlfh '"h'"'"'
guns ard i've torpedo tubes
Tho cruiser CASTILLO. though nearly as large
as the Maria Cristina. was much Inferior IN speed
and armament She wooden vess' buiit
., ,.,dtz IN 1871 She had a tonnage Of 3.3i2 Her
length was 246 feet her beam i6 feet ana she crew
q feet OF water Her indicated horsepower was
100 greater Than the Crst'na. 1t Is true nut her
sneed was considerably less being only " KNOTS
She had battery OF four 5s-inch krupp rifles.
Two 47-inch two S.3-inch four 29-lnch rnpid-hres
o,yb, rand-rre guns two machine guns and two
torpedo tubes.
The DON JUAN DE AUSTRIA was only ono
third the size OF The cruisers. She WIS rai"d at
ll39 tons had speed Of J; knots. and carried 'our
.--inoN Uou,orias three 22-nch rapid-irc. TWO
1;-lnch five machine guns and three torpedo tubes.
The DON ANTONIO DE GLi.OA was sister
ship OF the Don Juan. She was also OF i'iD TONS
Il knots r. speed and her battery consisted Of four
i7-inch Honiorias. two 2T-!nch rap!d-fre. I'VE ma
chine gums and two torpedo TUNES.
| The NELASCO. l.l52 tons; battery three 1o-inrh
Armstrong rinos. two 27-inch Hontoras and two
machine guns
/ The GENERAL LEO and Eli cANO. gun ves-
sells p, tons bull, n 1850; speed. ID knots. Tho
General Iozo hud TWO Iontorie f!Ac@ Of '1-inch
calibrc ono 35-inch Two small rapid-iiFe5 and on"
machine xun; III Cano. ;hrea i.,-inch guns. TWO
email rapid- Ares ard Two machine runs.
The MARQUES DEL. DUERO dispatch boat. 20
tons; one smooth-borc. C2-.nch cabre; TWO i7-inch
guns and ono machine gan. - . ~ .
The ISi.A DE CUBA and tho lSTA DE LYON
are both small Funboats. The are Of 900 tons
/ advancement and cary -four l1-lnch UOn;orias.
two small guns and TWO machine guns.
The TSIA DE MINDANAO. Compania Ifasai-
/ lantica OF Cadiz: armed cruiser; length SO !
feet beam. 1913 feet. gross tons. 3h3; speed, i35
]
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
TROOPS TO AID DEWEY.
PLANS FOR THE EXPEDITION RAPIDLY
ADVANCED.
vcr,..;rrrRs rpOu THE PACIFIC COAST STATES
as WELL. AS REGULARS. 70 CON
POSE TIE FORCE.


WASHINGTON Nav The details for the pro-
posed expedition 10 the Philippines unoer 'he
direction OF the War department have been au-
vanced materially rs result Of conferences
held to-day between Secretary Alger. Genera!
Miles and other officers Of the Army. THIS eN-
pcdit1n which will carry in all about five thou-
sand mon will start from San Francisco as soon
az arrangements can be perfected. II Is not YET
finally determined whether all the troops VIII
70 at once although this Is not thought 20 ne
nroha b,o nor has the exact composition OF the
force been fully decided upon. The statement
was made Ills afternoon that in addition 10 The
regular soldiers the quotas OF the NauonH'
Guard from the States Of California, luaho'
oregon and Washington VIII In all probability
be detailed 10 GO and order for their rem
devious a, San Francisco Is expected
senator Shoups company OF ri;emen, when
was 10 join one Of three specially authorlHeu
regiments Of mounted men. is mentioned as ike
w n be cent AS for the Regular Army troops
there are two regiments Of cavalry four com
panies OF the 18th Infantry and regiment Oh
artillery readily accessible TO can Francisco
The four companies OF infantry We're s'a'o"ea
nj Vancouver Barracks but II Is said mat 'he!
have recently been ordered 10 san fra"''S'''
ten companieS OF the I'd ArtllieI! h'e s'"''''NN
along the coast but the greater numDer are !"
California; the 18th Cavalry is distributed among
the nosts and forts In Washington, CaIifoThia
wyoming and Idaho. and the 18Th cavalry Is J"
N,rth and South Dakota. General Mics De-
loves II would be advisable TO have cavalry a'-
companv the infantry and artillery, as 'heE
would be extremely valuable for patrol duty
Their number however. necessarily WouId W.
limited because Of the great amount OF 'oo'"
required for the transportation Of horses.
The arms and equipments for the m!hla' TO-
sether with any ordnance supplies that may De
necessary will be furnished 10y the war Depart
mon, from the Renicia Arsenal. in California
For TRANSFORMATION purposes the War Depar'-
mon, officials say there Is no lack OF aVai'a"'
vessels
7, is said at the Department that II 'o"-
nander for the troops TO go 70 the fhiIipii"'S
hae not vet been decided upon Rriradier-"eh-
oral Merriam IS in command % the departments
os California and the Colunbia. and he may We
selected though there are other officers aNa'-
able for the command. which is eagerly 6oue"''
Ret,cence in making publ" the plans Tor '"e
oxnadition is noticeable among the oi'iclals' al"
heads NJ bureaus who will be called on ~ assls'
IN furnishing supplies have rot YET eve" "''' az
vjsed OF the Departments purposes
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
BEFORE THE GREAT FIGHT.

MONTH AGO
Indiarapos. May "A. II. Bookstahler, Of
This city has Just received letter from his
hrother-;n-law. William b. Orncr. board the
cruiser Baltimore. now at Manila. The letter
was written at Yokohama April IL. and II nd-
cafes that the sailors knew pretty well where
they were going and the kind Of work that was
cut out for them. Part OF the letter Is as fol-
lows.
We only called here for coal. and viii star, the
latter part OF the week for Hon Kong. China.
about two Thousand miles from acre. There we
ioin the rest Of the fleet. and in the event Of
war will proceed from there 10 Manila, Philip-
pine Islands The other ships waiting 'or us
are the Olympia. the Concord, the Petrol. the
Boston and the Raleigh, and. with this ship
added viii make a hard crowd t. whip.
Spain has but two ships Of consequence there
They are two about the size Of this one and she
has four or five frcatcs of the old style. They
have an excellent fort just outside Of Manila.
ard an enormous army or the island. but /
think We will have small JOB OF IT,
Yet we might have more trouble than we an
ticipate in taking the place. ~ any rate. you
can expect good account OF us. We have az;
excellent ship. and captain who would rather
fight than eat. and we all cxpect - 20 70 VIC
tory or 20 HI I'm short order when orce the
battle IS opened. We are taking seventy five
tons OF ammunition 20 .he other ships at the
station and az all the world knew Of II. We
have had the ship ready sOr action all the way
over
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
REJOICING AT THE CAPITOL.
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DISCUSS THE
NEWS FROM MANILA.
ESPECIAL QUALIFICATION SHOWN OVER THE

ESPECIAL. QUALIFICATION SHOWN OVER THE
FACT THAT 80 AMERICANS WERE KILLED.
Washington, May I.-Commodore DeWeys
Official report caused general expressions Of ex-
ul;ation at the Capitol. There was especial
qualification over the assurance that no Amer!-
can vessels had been injured and none OF their
men killed 1t was difficult 20 convince Sena-
tors and Representatives. that this was the case
and when they had been assured that the report
was true. because official, their expressions OF
pleasure were unbounded. 1t was generally de-
clared that no such result under such circum-
stances, with fort and feet both In oppositlon'
had ever been known before. The general ex-
pectation had been that the report would lndl-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
ELECTED AN HONORARY MEMBER.

DEMOCRATIC GLIB ADOPTS Resolutions ~
PRAISE OF COMMODORE DEWEY
special meeting OF the Democratic Club was
he'd last evening at the clubhouse. Judge Edward
f. O'Dwyer presided. II was decided 10 ask for bids
for the proposed Improvements In the clubhouse
John F. Carroll introduced tho following rcsou-
tons:
Resolved Tnat the Democratic club 0! the CITY OF
Ncw-Yo: hereby heartily extends It's congratulate
lions to Commodore Dewey and the brave and cour-
ascous officers and men associated with him In this
glorious ard well-deservcd victory.
Resolved. That II IL the OF this club that q
battle 80 decisive. In the great OF hui
mainly must tend toward the speedy termination
OF hostiities between country ana Spain: be II
further
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
OTHER DISPATCHES RECEIVED
ALL SHOWING THE EXTENT OF THE GREAT VIZ
TORY AT MANILA.

washington May I.-Assistant Secretary van
de-lip has received n cable dispatch from 4
friend who was on the McCulloch during the
naval engagement AZ Manila. In WHEN ne says
The Suanish feet OF eleven warships was dc-
s.royed totally Eest ~ all. no American snip
was lost or even damaged. No American was
killed and Only six Americans were 'h)uttu'
Another cable dispatch received by Mr. VAN
derlip from the commander of tho McCuloch' ~
Hong Kong. says that Chief Engineer f. T.
Randall died on May !. The cause Of MS death
Is not known.
The state Department to-day received the
following diepatch dated New-Yorf n'o''
MAY !:
Secretary ~ state. Washington. u. Z.
Have cable from Hong Kong saying Spahish
fleet entirely destroyed Manila in hands ~ the
Americans The latest news is All quiet. As
w. have a line Of steamers running between
Manila and Hong Kong il Is possible that tbs
news may be ~ interest 10 YOU "" 'ol'''
II thoroughly reliable - 80
JARDINE. MATHESON co.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
A DENIAL FROM THE POPE.

Rome. May THE Vatican has issued 40
official statement absolutely denying the report
that the Pope has sent an earnest message "
the Queen Regent Of Spain advising her 70 asn
Immediately for the mediation OF the EuropeA.
Powers and promising his support ana tha' ~ ~
the Powers TO obtain an honorable sout'o" "
the present difnculty.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
STRANGER ARREST T.

Cadiz. May "A mon. said 10 BE- an English
man giving the name ~ Otwin Boyer. at
tempted last evening To telegraph details 81 ~"
movements Of ,hc Spanish warships. The CLERKS
refused 70 transmit his message without thu
authority of the manager Of the office. Boyer
thc.rupon went away. but was followed and
arrested II, was taken before the Prefect and,
his explanations being unsatisfactory. was
handed over to the military authorities. The
latter. it IL said strongly suspect Boyer OF being
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
TIE LAFAYETTE REACHES HAVANA.
IT IS SAID THAT HER OwNERs WILL phMANi
DAMAGES FROM THIS GOVERNMENT

DAMAGES FROM THIS GOVERNMENT
Havana. May The captain Of the French
steamer Lafayette which arrived he" at :
O'Clock this morning. says that when near la
vana on Thursday he was stopped by an Anieri-
can war vessel An officer from the warshlp
boarded the Lafayette. and after examining hrf
manifest allowed her to go. being convinced
that there WAS no contra band OF war on board.
Five miles further she was again stopped
and male a captive and taken 20 hey West.
After conference between the French Am
sador at Washington ana the authorities there
tho Lafayette was released and accompanied hy
American cruisers to n point Of Havana. she
was liberated only after assurances had been
given 10 the American Government that the
landing here of her passengers and tho discharge
Of her cargo would be prohibited.
Wcll-lnformcd persons declare that tho own
crs Of the steamer the General Transatlantic
Steamship Company. VIII file a claim for dam
ages against the American Government
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
.pAIE'S DEFEAT INEVITABLE

Paris. May THE Temps" this afternoon.
commenting on the situation OF 81 ain. says:
When the moment comes and IL cannot be
far distant Spain must manfully make up her
mind to inevitable sacrifices and seek directly
through the United States. or by recourse to
the good offices of the Powers. n solution Of her
troubles compatible with her honor as we'll as
coutormable with the law OF destiny.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

,,o r,nu,es and that a suitably engrossed copy
thereof ho forwarded TO Commodore Dewey
Upon further resolution Commodore Dewey was
elected an honorary member Of the CLUB
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
AWAITING FURTHER NEWS.

No MORE DISPATCHES From DEWEY HAD BEEN
RECEIVED At \ LATE HOt LAST NIGHT.
WASHINGTON May TIP 20 a late hour to-
night the Government was in possession Of no
further DISPATCHES than were made public earlier
in the dav. Al the state Department Assistant
Seer .tarles Moore and Cridler divided IN" night
al their desks. awaiting developments. IN"
President spent the evening quietly with Mrs
NcKi,lov General Hastings his old war colo
mel and Colonel Herrick. of Onto. G"nerai Mics
was with him FOR a little while. Secretary Long
retired cnrlv. leaving a statement mat h"'h"h
had occurred since the 81 &C. - IN" l'lar'nl"h'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
GOOD ENOUGH TO TELL IN MADRID.

GOOD ENOUGU TO TEIIf IN MNUItIU.
PRIVATE DISPATCH ABOUT RI Mon OF A
SPANISH VICTORY IL THE ATLANTIC.
Madrid. May "A private dispatch from Oh
braltar says it Is rumorcd there that tn" Spanish
and American squadrons have had an engage
rncnt IN the Atlantic. resulting in favor Of the
Spanish fleet
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

~ \ va
sumption
is no, al
ways very
rapid. but
If ii ien I
stopped ii
will pres
emily begin
to saw It's
way into
the most
vital part
" ia.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
u. S. FLAG PINS
(cnamcled) SOC. UP.
Rcgimental Pins. Buttons. &c.
Made uy JOHN PRICK Liberty Place. y. Y.

ler of Colorado: Senator Caffsry 81 louisiana
Representative Lanham. ~ Texas and Repre-
sentative Walker. OF Massachusetts, were among
the other White House visitors.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
A MESSAGE FROM CONSUL WILLIAMS

4 MESSAGE FROM CONSUL WILLIAMS.
He CABLES To ms WIFE THAT THE srAHrARDe
SURRENDERED.
Rochester y. Y. May Mrs. o. +. Will
Jams Of this city wife 81 tho United states Con
sui 10 Manila received The following cnbl" m"s-
sage nj :. 20 O'Clock this morning from her hus-
band al Hong Kong
"Spaniards surrendered. Am we'll
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

~ AMERICAS wARsHiP DRIVEN OFF FROM s'Nl'
PLACE SoT NAMED MATANzAs LIGHT
BOHRAHilED

Madrid May 7.-Captan-General Blancp
cables from Havana as follows
'Onc Of the enemys ships ventured w'hh
the range ~ one ~ our batteries, "hl'h IL
fcted Sigh, damage and conpelied Inc snip
20 retire at full speed. Another VeSsel Dom
barded the batteries AT the entrance I" Ma'hh-
zas firing sixty-nvc proj"ctiles AT IN" beacon
light and blockhouse. which were struck n'h"-
teen times and damaged. only one soldier was
wounded -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

The carriage q: 4 buzz
SAW docsn't move very fast.
but II a iuan stays on IT
long enough he will pres
emily be sIwn aSuHdcr
The procce, ~ gradual
bodily decline and loss OF
energy which lcads finally
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08
FLYING SQUADRON REL

MopoRE scIILEY's sHIPs.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

$3.50 Secretary Long came from the Fresi-
dents private room carry Ing tn" copy ~ the
second message from Dewey. but IN order u
give equal facilities 10 the grcnt crowd OF
people waiting 20 gain information nc held y
until he reached the Navy Department. Then
hts secretary Mr. Finney. brought the message
10 the large gcception-Ioom where a hundred or
NOR. ANXIOUS newspaper correspondents and
curious observers took he dispatch Mr.. Fin
neg read f., II was as follows:
II,
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-08

Dewey. Manila:
The President. In
people. thanks you
for your splendid q
Ing victory. In re-
you Acting Admiral
Of thanks 10 you By
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17
JUDGE BLACKSTONE CHOSEN
CONTINUED from First Pase)


Munford Opie, Parker Powell, Quesen-
berry. Reddy. Sands, Snead, SouthalL St.
Clair Surgener, Switzcr, Wallace Wat
son, Nicknam. WilsOn-Je.
Messrs Eggleston. Featherston, r. d.
Jennings, Jordan, Minter, owen, Tate
WlnDorne, Saunders and Newberne an
nounced tina, they had paired with alb
sent members Had the latter been pres
ent they would have voted as follows:
Eggleston. Blackstone. Mechanism.
Barnes: Featherston, Blackstone; Parks.
Barnes. r. u. Jennings. Blackstone;
Folkes, Barnes; Jordan. Blackstone. JEFF
fries. Barnes: Minter. Blackstone: Car
Ter. Barnes: owen Barnes James Black
stone: Tate. Blackstone, Letcher,
Barnes: Winhorne Blackstone; Pendle-
ton. Barnes: Saunders. Blackstone. Win
ston. Barnes Ncwbcrne. Blackstone;
Garrett, Barnes.
JUDGE BLACKSTONE CAREER.
Hon. J. w. G. Blackstone was born at
Accomac Courthouse October 3. lS,S. He
attended Roanoke College sessions Of
1874 IS and 1913, graduating from that
institution in June. lSi6. the youngest
man In his class.
He attended the University OF Virginia
from October. 1876. 10 July, 1881, being in
the Academic Department three years
and in the Law Department two lie
took the degree OF b. l.. IN July. 1851 He
entered Immediately upon the practice OF
his profession in his native county.
In 1885 he was elected State Senator
from the Thirty-seventh Senatorial Dis
trict and was reelected In 1883 For six
years he was chairman OF the Committee
Of Courts OF Justice in the Senate. Twice
the Democracy OF his county authorized
him 10 select his own delegates 10 Con-
gressiOnal Conventions In the First Dis
trict
In 1898 he was a candidate for Attorney
General OF the State. bur was defeated
by the late Hon. r. Taylor Scott. He
was a delegate to the National Conven-
ton OF 1896 and with the exception OF
the first ballot. when the Virginia dele
cation east complimentary vote for Sem
atOr Blackburn. voted every time for
Bryan.
In August. iSqG. on the death of his
uncle. and at the unanimous request Of
his bar. he accepted the position OF Judge
or the Accomac County Court. TO which
nosition he was elected by the present
Legislature.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17

Forsyth Of the naval station here. re-
ceived to-day. reads:
Havana. Feb. ".
advise sending American vessel at
once. The Maine Is submerged. except
the debris. Mostly work for divers.
jenkins and Merritt are still missing.
and there is but little hope for their
safety. Those known to have been
s1ved are the officers and p un-
Injured OF the crew. Eighteen wounded
men are now on board the Ward Line
steamer I'm the city hospital. and at
the Madcott Hotel twenty-nine so far
as known All the others went down on
board or near the Maine The total lost
and misslng Is 2j3. With seven exc'p-
lions. no officer or man has more than
"a part of "a suit of clothing and that IS
wet with harbor water.
The Ward Line steamer leaves Tor
Mexico Uera Cruz az o'clock this af-
ternoOn. The officers saved are unin-
1ured The damage was in the COM
partments 81 the crew Am preparing 10
telegraph list Of saved and wounded.
"Olivette leaves for Key West at I
= NJ VIII send 10y her 10 Key West
officers saved. except myself. Wainwright,
Holeman Hencber@er. Raw and Holden.
"WiH turn over three uninjured boats To
cantain OF MORT with request for safe
keeping. VIII send al wounded men to
hospital I'm Havana.
(SigneD "SIGSBEE."
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17

were dining on board the City OF WASH
ington.
II is reported that the disaster was
due TO the explosion of the boiler OF tne
dynamo machine on board the Maine.
The Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII. was
for some time after the explosion ia
great peril Her mOoring tackles were
Stacked away and she was ancnoren "l
greater distance from the burning
warship being assisted by other Spanish
vessels She then lowered her boats ana
took part i'm the work OF rescue.
THE WOUNDED.
one of the Names officers who is being
cared for an the sanitary headquarters. is
seriously wounded. lie is very young
and is believed 90 have been the officer
on guard at the time OF the disaster. lie
70 said g. have asked for "a priest TO make
his confession.
Half an hour after midnight thirty-siX
o. fths crew of the Maine had been car
ried 10 the military hospital Of san Am
broslo. They were all most seriously
wounded. Five others of the crew were
taken To the Alfonso XII. Hospital
on board the Spanish cruiser Alfonso
XII. twenty-six of the wound eel were
treated and thirty-siX were succorcd on
board the City Of Washington.
George Cowler. an accountant OF the
Maine is among the men seriously
wounded.
Tho Maine AT the time of the explosion
WAS AT anchor about 500 yards from the
arsenal and some 20 yards from the
floating dock.
Vurnel. Backurt( Burkardp, WlllIam
McGuinuess. j. II. BrOnner, Alfred John-
SON. George Bolsemet and Charles Ben
gan were succored at the San Amhrosio
Military Hospital and James Roure,
Francis Kehet Daniel Cronin and George
Robert received attention al the Sanitary
headquarters
THE EXPLOSIONS.
The first explosion is said To- have been
caused by over six hundred pounds OF
gun cotton and the subsequent eNplo-
sion is alleged tO have been caused by
shells and cartridges.
Among tho saved on board the city
Of washington is Gustav g. DRESSER. or
the Maine. who has lost both his eyes.
The passengers Of the city Of Wash
ington gave UP their state-rooms 10 the
injured men cf the American warship.
Lieutenant-Comm Wainwright. of
the Maine was half undressed AZ 9.b
L. NJ. and was smoking I'm his cabin next
10 that Of Captain Sigsbee. II Is said.
when the explosion occurred. and put out
the electric lights. Leutenant-c ommand-
or Wainwright then lt mdlch ana went
90 Caniaia Sig-bec's cabin
OBRYED ORDERS AND DIED.
The cantain. 30 appears. had been
thrown from his bed. but was uniniured
They both went on deck and ordered
some men 10 hood l2oo pound. Of gun
cotton. which was on board. The order
was carried ont. but the men never re
turned. Havana. however. was saved
f-o-, 4. etil more te-rihl@ explosion.
Four boats were lowered. all manned
bv officers. and one Of them was lost
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-17
OPINIONS or CONGRESSMEN.
In the Main They suspend Judgment. But
aEew are kabid.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-The Maine in
cident formed the principal topic of con-
sideration by the Senate Committee oa
Foreign Relations at Its meeting to-day
The opinion generally expressed by M m
bers Of the committee in this informal
conference were 10 the effect that the
occurrence Is one of very serious impor-
lance, and that IL may result In grave
complications unless Spain can make II
very plain that no Spaniard was IN any
way responsible for Il.
1T il too serious 90 talk about at pres
ent." said Senator Lodge.
Senator ClillOm said. Il am too MAD
TO talk about IT, To which he added (;
Il can't see how the explosion could lave
been the result Of an accident, aud thlhk
the time is rapidly approaching Wnen th's
country must DO something.
Mr. Cummings. OF New YORK. a mem
her Of the Naval Committee gave II as
his opinion that the shin had been down
up by n floating torpedo.
Representative Qulgs, or ,.'
Affairs Committee. said BE-
that the disaster 20 L. O. VI Oh
by a torpedo and Us Ctsibh.
Representative Adams. ~
compittee, says that everything moe" /.
that the explosion was an accident anu
occurred inside tho ship.
Representative Mercer, OF Massacnu-
setts, said: IL the death OF 253 American
sailors can. upon investigation. DC traced