davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-02-18

necessary. or at any distance from the
surface that might be desired. If more
POWER were needed the pontoons could lie
the one over the other. The chains aver
age three inches in diameter
BY erecting a cOfferdam on the deck of
the Maine she could be pumped out. Tha:
would be an expensive and a long task.
Most ships have been pumped out after
having been raised. The mere act of
pumping would be comparatively short. II
would take considerable time to get chains
under her, but that is a process which
would be long or short, according to til.
tides"
Would you not facilitate matters h.
getting her guns out first?" he was asked.
"Ah! that depends on how the guns arc
fixed In the turret. 1t might be necessary
to cut away the turrets, and l believe there
are thousands and thousands OF rivets in
her armor. 1 would not like to be one OF
the divers on that job But perhaps that
would not be necessary. l don't think the
turrets were built around those ten-inch
guns. l suppose the guns weigh about
fifty-two tons, and the tulrets might weigh
more than ten times as much. Not being
naval constructor i can't say exactly.
But assuming that the guns are portable,
we could get out their carriages as well.
THE sides and bottom of the Maine may
be so shattered that 1t would be a long
and tedious task to pump her out and stop
her. Still, it could be done If her magai-
zine has blown up there would be no doubt
of her condition. If. on the other hand.
she has had one or two holes knocked in
her by one or two torpedoes. as is alleged,
then the pumping process would be COM
paratively easy. Another thing, We could
build around her frame and repair her to
some extent just where she is, but that
would cost about 2,OOOOOO-nearly one
half the worth of the vessel.
"One of the difficulties about the raising
of the Maine would be her guns. / dare
say they have broken away from the.1
mcorings, and would shift when the YES
sci is moved, no matter how slightly. As
l have said, only inspection can tell
whether the guns can be taken out first
or whether it is possible to raise her just
aSShe is.'
Evening star., 1898-02-18

This Time 1t Comes Direct From Cor
respondent at Havana.

A special to the Philadelphia Press from
Havana yesterday says Two official in
vestigs tions are in progress intr the loss of
the Maine. The Spaniards have assigned a
naval officer to the duty and the Uni. I'll
States has sent the tenders ManGrove and
Fern to procure the testimony for the
board of inquiry that has been charged by
the department at Washington with learn
ing the truth. The Fern has a very COM
plete wr.cking al paratus, including all
that is latest in diving appliances, and has
also an expert diving crew. There is some
question to when the CniIed States
government divers will get to work. 1t
seems probable that they will await the ar
rival of the board of inquiry in Havana.
1t will be unfortunate if this course is
adopted, as the Maine is nosing deeper and
deeper into the black mud at the bottom
of the bay.
1t is believed the Spaniards have begun
their submarine investigation, tho igh no
information is to BE- had from the palace.
1t is a safe conclusion that long before the
American board of inquiry gets its evidence
the Spanish will be in possession of all the
facts.
The bay is rough and diving operations
would be hazardous at present
There is story repeated as true in la
vana. though l have not been able to
trace it to an authentic source. that last
night two divers went down and examined
the hull and discovered undoubted evidence
that an exterior explosion wrecked the
Malns.
This extensively circulated report was to
the effect that they found huge ragged
hole on the starboard side just about op-
pCsite the forward magazine. and a small
cleanly broken hole foot in diameter on
the ether side. This, the navy people say,
would Indicate that the torpedo tore the
big hole and its solid head was driven by
the charge clear through the vessel. Ac-
cording to the rumor these divers were
sent down by Consul General Lee in re-
sponsc to order fl ON Washington. Cen
eral Lee will make no statement as to any
Investigation inaugurated by him, and
Captain Sigsbee is equally reticent. Both
sent long cipher dispatches to Washington
by the Oivette yesterday. Undoubtedly
their real Judgment to the cause of the
catastrophe is in these messages.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
A Gigantic Electric Installation.

FfCfn tne PhIIaue1phla RECORD.
A 10s-mile electric transmission plant is
under consideration in southern California
The undertaking involves the erection of a
dam across the Kern river, In Kern county
Cal, and the construction of line to con-
vey the high tension current to Los Ange-
les. The Kern river drains an area of some
2,345 square miles. and total of about
Il, 900 horse power can be obtained. A
pressure of 10000 volts is proposed for
transmission. While this is exceptionally
high, the dry atmosphere and infrequent
rainfalls warrant its adoption. The dam
already mentioned will fern a storage res
ervoir. with a volume of about 13, 721, 400
600 gallons. or the equivalent of 42, 900 acre
feet. Should the project be carried out it
would be by far the longest electric power
transmission line in the world.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
THE SURVIVORS, CONDITION.
Visiting the Injured In the Hosni.
talA.

The Havana correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press visited the hospitals of San
Ambrosio and the Alfonso XII Wednesday
and again yesterday and met Miss Clara
Barton and John Elwell of the Red Cross
Society. The scene was heartbreaking and
the dressing of the wounds of the victims
was horrible spectacle.
Some of them, however. are already much
better, and they are carefully attended by
DR.. Bernardo Mas. whose treatment is
Kindness itself. Two were near death, Carl
A. Smith, whose leg and jaw were broken
and who is badly burned, and A. Anderson,
who has burns all over his body. Both re-
ceived the sacraments.
The officers of the Maine who are at Key
West have received instructions to remain
where they are and to await orders. Many
were paid yesterday and provided them
selves with clothing. The general hope is
that Congress will take measures to reim-
burse the officers and men, for they lost all
their personal effects.
Patrick J. Foley. In the Key West hos
Evening star., 1898-02-18
GOOD FAITH ASSERTED.
Spain Disclafms the Sentiments of
the De Lemc letter


Spain has officially. disclaimed in posi-
tive manner the reflections contained in the
De LONE letter, and, as officially an
nounced by the State Department yester-
day, the incident is satisfactorily closed
The statement given out is as follows:
February II, 1S9S.-The following is an
abstract of note sent last evening by the
Spanish government to Minister Woodford
at Madrid:
The Spanish government, on learning of
the incident in which Minister Dupuy De
LONE was concerned. and being advised of
his Objectionable communication with en-
tire sincerity laments the incident which
was the cause of the interview with the
minister; states that Minister De LONE
had presented his resignation, and it had
been accepted before the presentation of
the matter by Minister Woodford; that the
Spanish minister in accepting the resigna-
tion of functionary whose services they
have been utilizing and valuing up to that
time, leaves it perfectly well established
that they do not share, and rather on the
contrary, disauthorize the criticisms tend
ing to offend or censure the chief of a
friendly state, although such criticisms
have been written within the field of friend
ship, and had reached publicity by artful
taken shape in resolution by the council
of ministers before General Woodford pre-
sented the matter, at time when the
Spanish government had only vague tele-
graphic reports concerning the sentiments
alluded to; that the Spanish nation, with
equal and greater reason, affrms it's view
and decision, after reading the words con-
tained in the letter rejecting upon the
President of the United States
AS to the paragraph concerning the de-
STABILITY of negotiations of commercial re-
lations, if even for effect, and Importance
of using a representative for the purpose
the government expresses concern that in
the light of its conduct long after the writ
ing Of the letter, and in view of the unan-
swerable testimony of simultaneous and
subsequent facts, any doubt should exist
that the Spanish government has given
proof of its real desire and of its innermost
convictions with respect to the new COM
mercial system and the projected treaty
OF commerce That the Spanish govern
ment does not now consider it necessary
to lay stress upon or to demonstrate anew
the truth and sincerity of its purpose and
the unstained good faith of its Intentions
That pablicly and solemnly the government
OF Spain contracted before the mother
country ard its colonies the responsibility
for the political and tariff changes which
it has inaugurated in both Antilles, the
natural ends of which in domestic and in
ternational spheres it pursues with firm
ness, which will ever inspire its conduct
Evening star., 1898-02-18
TO EXCLUDE AMERICAN SHIPS.
Suggestions Made by the Spanish
AIarmfsts.

Correspondence of the Associated Press)
MADRID, February 6.-While admitting
that the visits paid by United States men,
of-war to Cuba are annoying" and that
those proposed to be paid to Spain will be
still more annoying" should they take
place. and that 1t is matter for regret that
since the new regime has come into force
in Cuba all the insurgents have mot vet
submitted, the Liberal of this city points
out the .'absurdity' of following the sue
gestions made by the alarmists in Spain.
These suggestions are:
First To close the harbors of Cuba and
Spain TO the American vessels, even though
Evening star., 1898-02-18
TO RAISE THE MAINE.
A Veteran Wrecker Describes I
Way 1t May BE Done,

veteran Wrecker Describes the
Way 1t Mny BE Done.
The Merritt Wrecking Company of New
York will probably be given the contract
Tor raising the wreck of the Maine In dis
-cussing the question of plans for doing the
work one of the veteran wreckers of the
company said last evening that they had
raised the Maine's sister ship. the Texas,
but that was comparatively easy task,
inasmuch as she had sunk in her Brook
iyn dock, and there was not enough water
to cover her. The Texas was raised in
twenty-four hours.
The only thing approaching the case of
the Maine." said the wrecker, was the
British warship Howe, which sank in Cadiz
harbor. 1t took the Danish Wrecking Com
pany six months to raise her. The Howe
had two holes in her bottom. They pumped
her out first.
don't suppose anybody could tell you
row the Maine would be lifted-whether by
Pontoons or by derricks. The derrick has
We have one derrick with capacity of
nearly 500 tons and other derricks which
tosether nave a capacity of 1,20O tons. For
anything heavier than that pontoons would
pe USED. AS a matter of fact. we have pom
toons capable of lifting any vessel afioat
or sunk. Lifting vessels by pontoons is
slower work than raising by Serricks.
fontoons are ranged alongside the ship,
win chains passing underneath. There
are chains three of which lift two hun
dred tons end six which lift four hundred
tons each. They are of such> dimensions
that every twenty-five feet is equal to one
hundred tens =
The ponteons for this job would be
rheumatic and surface The. pneumatic
rontoons would be entirely submerged II
Evening star., 1898-02-18
THE MISSING OFFICERS.
Consul General Lee Describes the
Manner of Death.

The State Department received the fol-
lowing dispatch from Consul General Lee:
Havana, February 1T.-Assistant Secre-
tary Day, Washington: Merritt in junior
officers mess room. jenkins in ward mess
room at the time of explosion. Latter left
before an officer who was saved. Must
have gone the wrong way. Lights out
Immediately and water rushing in. Mer-
ritt got TO hatch with Naval Cadet Boyd
Ladder gone. Boyd climbed through and
tried to pull Merritt up, but latter let go
his hands, fell back and was drowned.
Bodies OF these officers not yet found, pos
sibly in wreck. Sailors funeral today at }.
VIII be an immense procession. LEE"
Evening star., 1898-02-18
NEW SPANISH MINISTER.
Gen. WOOdfOrd Announces His Sclec-
tiOn.

The following dispatches, announcing the
appointment of minister from SPAIN
were received at the State Department
yesterday:
MADRID, February II, 1s9S.-Secretary
Sherman: Have just received official COM
munication from Spanish minister of for
eign affairs that the queen regent has to-
day signed decree appointing Senor Polo de
Bernabe minister from Spain to the United
States. WOODFORD.'
MADRID, February H. 1S9s.-Secretary
Sherman: He is son of Admiral Polo form
erly minister: is chief of the commercial
bureau in Spanish state department: speaks
English and is familiar with commercial
affairs; was secretary of legation at Wash
ington when his father was minister.
"WOODFORD."
Evening star., 1898-02-18

me to express Gdmiralty's and his personal
sympathy with our government and navy
IN the loss of the Maine. Various members
OF the diplomatic body have called, in
Guiding Spanish ambassador. WHITE.
LONDON, February II, 1905.
sherman. Secretary, Washington:
Prince and Princess of Wales request me
to convey to the President and Secretary
of the Cayy the expression of their horror
al the terrible accident which has hap
pened to the Maine and of their profound
5! mpathy with the whole American nation
at the occurrence HENRY WHITE.
Imperial Legation of Turkey.
Ihe charge d'affaires ad interim of Tur-
key has the honor to convey to his ex-
tellency the Secretary of State the deep
est regret of the Ottoman government on
account of the deplorable accident which
has befallen the Maine.
February IL, 1898.
PARIS, February II, 1895
Sherman, Secretary, Washington:
PRESIDENT Faure asked personal interview
In Which he requested me to express his
warmest sympathy and profound sense of
condolences to President Mckinley regard
ing the appalling catastrophe to the Maine,
ana 10 convey an assurance that the
French people, especially the French navy,
are deeply touched by the death of the gal
liant officers and men who lost. their lives
at their post of duty. PORTER
LONDON, February II, 1898.
sherman, Secretary, Washington:
have received following message from
Duke of Connaught: Pray accept my most
sincere sympathy at the terrible accident
which has befalle1 the warshp Maine. 1
deeply deplore the loss which your navy
and country have sustained. WHITE
NEW YORK, February 16, 1895
Secretary of State:
Undersigned committee of Spanish resi-
dents of New York respectfully tender sin
ceIe expression of heartfelt sympathy and
regret for dreadful disaster to Maine with
appalling loss of life. For the committee
Jose F. Navarro. chairman; Antonio Cuyas,
secretary; Arturo Cuyas, c. Viadero,
E. NJ. Castillo.
Secretary Long received the following
cablesram from the Russian minister of
marine at st. Petersburg:
Il nave just received the news of Maincs
terrible disaster. l beg you to accept my
own ard tire Russian ravys sincere sym
pathies and coincidence.
VICE ADMIRAL p. TYRTOW
Minister of Marine"
Secretary Long received the following
during the day:
Il regret with all my soul the horrible
catastrophe of the Maine, and send my
coincidence for the victims and their fam
lies. Spanish navy is in mourning for
American navy. SOBRAL,
Naval Attache, Spanish Legation"
Evening star., 1898-02-18

The regular permanent family
circulation of The Evening Star
in Washington is more than
double that of any other paper,
whether published in the morn
ing or in the afternoon.
AS a medium for unobiec-
tionable advertisements it there
fore stands unequaled and un-
approachable.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
QUEEN REGENTS REGRET.
Cabinet Meeting at Madrid Discusse
the Maine Disusfer.

The Spanish queen regent presided at
a cabinet meeting yesterday The sub
Ject chiefly discussed was the loss of
the battle ship Maine. The minister for
foreign affairs, Senor Gullon, read dis
patch on the subject from Washington and
the queen regent expressed sorrow at the
catastrophe.
The Spanish warship Vizcaya WILL it is
sald receive her final instructions by
semaphore' before she enters New York
harbor.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
CAPT. sIGSBEE TALKS.
Tells His Experiences at Time of the
Explosion.


A dispatch to the New York Herald from
Havana February 16 says: The officers of
the Maine fail utterly to account for this
disaster on the theory of any internal eXplo-
sion; but they also agree that no torpedo
could have caused the damage that this ex-
plosion wrought. Then, too, the finding of
large diamond-shaped piece of cement,
which went so high in air as to crash clear
through the deck of the City of Washing
ton in its descent, adds another puzzling
feature to the case. An internal explosion
would not have hurled 1t so high in air.
The captain choked down his emotion
when 1 asked him of the disaster.
There is very little that can tell you,'
he replied. Il was in the cabin at the time.
l had just finished a letter to my family,
when that enormous crash came. The ship
lurched heavily to port, and 1 knew in an
instant what it all meant-that it meant
that my ship had blown up.
"All the cabin lights were put out, and
as I groped my way out Of the apartment
I met my orderly running toward me.
Reaching the deck, / gave orders to post
sentries. keep silence and to flood the mag
azines. The magazines were already food
ing themselves. 1 saw then that the dis
aster was complete; in fact, I noticed a
few of our men struggling in the water.
Only Three Boats Left.
"Only three boats were left of the num-
ber we carried. These, the gig, barge and
second whaleboat, were lowered as quickly
as we could get them in the water. There
was big hole knocked in the side of the
barge. and 1t is wonder that it did not
sink with the few who had climbed into
it."
what do you think caused the explo-
sion?" asked Capt. Sigsbee.
You will have to excuse me from an
swering that" he replied. I'm such cases
it is best not to think: it is best to know.
That requires investigation and time"
Might not small torpedo, these reason
ers argue, have struck the side of the
Maine and. exploding. set off one of the
magazines. some of which are located
forward? Still, again, 1t was limited that
there was a Cuben mine laid and that it
failed in its mission, which was to destroy
the Spanish cruiser anchored near and
struck the Maine.
SURVIVORS REACH KEY WEST.
Sailors Take No Stock In the Inter.
nal Accident Theory.
A dispatch from Key West, Fla, Febru-
ary 16 says: The steamer Oliyette with
Evening star., 1898-02-18
MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.
Expressions of Sorrow Made by For
eign Governments.

y number of messages have been re-
ceived at the State Department from for
elSn governments expressing regret in con-
nection with the Maine disaster. Among
them are the following:
Secretary OF State: | have the honor to
inform you tnat L am comma nded by the
queen TO convey to the President the ex.
preston of her majestys sympathy with
the American people on the occasion of the
sad disaster which has befallen their navy
by the loss of the battle ship Maine. and of
so many me enbers of her crew | reuuest
that you Will be good enough to transmit
the above Tessage TO its high destination
L have the honor to be, with the highest
&C nsideratiOn, sir, your most obedient hum
bic servant,
(Signed) JULIAN PAI-NCEFOTF
Evening star., 1898-02-18
DE LONE CRITICISED.

spanish Decree Issued Accepting His
Resignation.
decree has been gazetted at Madrid
accepting the resignation of Senor Dupuy
de Lone as minister of Spain at Washing
ton. and severely criticising him.
Evening star., 1898-02-18

pital who was thought to be fatally hurt.
revived and late last night DR.. Dudley.
who was in charge, said he would be up in
week or Foley had two fingers of
his left hand taken off. The rest of the
wounded are doing well.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA,
February II, 1888.
Received HIS IN.

February II. Is9s.
Received IL :i5 d. m.
Day, Washington.
Archbishop Saens expresses sympathy
LOT Name disaster HYATT.
Legation of the Republic of Hayti
Secretary State: The news of the sad ac-
eident which has befallen the Maine has
press nv coincidence and sympathy with
the families of the unfortunate victims
NV government cannot fail TO feel deep
concern on account OF the loss which the
United States have just experienced.
BE pleased to accept. Mr.. Secretary OF
state, the assurances of my highest con-
sioeration ]. y. LEGER.
BERLIN.
Let ne express my sincere sympathy to
YOU and your country at the terrible loss
or the Maine and the death of so many
brave officers and men of your navy.
WILLIAM /. r.
Legation Of the Greater Republic
of Central America
! have received Instructions from the
diet of the Greater Republic of Central
america 10 inform the supreme govern
ment of the United States of Am erica
through your excelency, that both it and
the governments of the states which COM
pose that republic feel profound regret on
account CT the disaster which befeiI the
Maine right before last in the port of Ha-
vara.
In obeying th9se Instructions 1 take
pleasure in renewing to you. Mr.. Secretary,
the assurances OF my highest considera-
ton. LOUIS F. COREA.
LONDON February II.
Sher:nan, Secretary, Washington:
The first lord Of the admiralty, requests
Evening star., 1898-02-18
Legation of the Rennhlic of Havti

Archbishop Saens expresses sympathy
Tor Maine disaster. HYATT.
Evening star., 1898-02-18
SURVIVORS REACH KEY WEST.

Sailors Take No Stock In the Inter.
nal Accident Theory.
A dispatch from Key West, Fla, Febru-
ary 16 says: The steamer Ohvette, with
Evening star., 1898-02-18
Legation of the Greater Republic

q.
Sherman, Secretary, Washington:
The first lord Of the admiralty requests
The times., 1898-06-26
SPAIN To SUE FOR PEACE
CONTINUED from First Page.)

the Philippines are the only possessions
about which she is seriously concerned or
about which she is even more than
vaguely informed
There are no longer illusions in the
official minds of Spain regarding the dis
interested good offices of any power
Even the Duke of Almodovar says on this
point:
1T would be folly TO expect any ma
ton, including Germany, TO risk war with
the United States, a strong nation, to as
sist Spain, a weak nation. There are no
Don Quixotes now, not even in Spain.
hope our difficulties will be settled, but we
will have to settle them ourselves. They
are not to be settled by the United States
giving in. Have you ever known case
in court between a rich man and poor
one ending by the rich one giving in?
The rich man expects to crush the
poor one with his wealth and power. That
is what the United States win do
Very different is this language from
that heard on all sides in Madrid, two
months ago, but the reasons for the pre-
vailing pessimism are more domestic than
foreign. Madrid may not unlikely be the
scene of more important events than San
tiago in the next few days.