Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-03-03

subject other than the disposition of
the dead bodies, the official mind was
turned Saturday TO an analysis of the
Spanish statements, made with a more
or less degree of official sanction, re-
specting the total absence OF submar-
inc mines from the Havana harbor,
and it was regarded by the navy de-
partment as negativing the mine
theory Of an external cause for the
explosion just as recent letters put
an end TO the exploding boiler theory
as an internal cause for the disaster.
Nothing was heard Saturday from the
court of inquiry and the department
is still ignorant of its plans. In fact
the only news coming direct from
Havana to the navy department Sat
urday, was contained in the following
dispatch from Captain Sigsbee:
L have succeeded in making ar
rangements by which bodies may be
sent to Key West in Theoretically sealed
zinc cases. 1t is probable that the
and that the bodies will not remain
intact. The condition Of the bodies
requires immediate action. Jenkins
and Merritt may be recognized by their
uniforms. | can secure d health per
nit at Key West to land the bodies
there. The divers cannot yet get down
aft after the bodies owing to the de-
! bris. l will clear it away. Vain
wright has been placed in charge OF
wrecking matters"
Secretary Long in his reply told
| Sigsbee to send the bodies that may
hereafter be recovered to Key West for
| burial. 1t is believed at the depart
ment that there are probably in the
neighborhood Of fifty bodies remaining
to be extricated from the wreck.
The double-turreted monitor Terror
started for New York Saturday even
ing from Hampton Roads. She will
| be a most powerful reinforcement to
| the defense of the commercial metrop-
slis in case of need and stationed in
The narrOws it would be difficult for
my hostile ship to pass her. With
| the exception of the training ship rs
hex, which arrived at Hampton Roads
| Saturday, and the Brooklyn, which
| arrived at St. Lucia, probably to coal
Oh her way to Laguayra, a distance
| of 500 miles, this was the only naval
| movement Saturday. There were a
| number of alarming stories
| es to the heavy shipments
of ordnance from the Washington
navy yard to New York for arming an
auxiliary navy. 1t is said at the de-
partment that SO far none of these
small guns have been shipped so far,
but a few for Chicago, probably four
teen fve-inch rapid fire guns, will be
| despatched tomorrow. With these
guns in place, Chicago would be pretty
well modernized in the matter OF ar
mament. The Dolphin is to go on in
commission at New York on March
ia. Although she rates as a presi-
dents yacht. the vessel which has been
thoroughly overhauled and furnished
with new boilers and decks, carries
even now a sufficient battery to make
her, when her speed is taken into &C
count, very effective gun-boat.
With the proceedings of the court
OF inquiry drawing to a close, atten-
ton is now being directed to the form
and nature of this inquiry, and yet
certain general features will have to
be observed under the navy regula-
lions governing the inquiries of this
character. These were explained Sat
urday by Captain Lemley, judge advO-
cate general Of the navy, and Lieuten-
ant Lauchheimer, a veteran in the Ie-
gal arm of the. naval service. AS a
general rule it was explained, the court
of inquiry submits not only the eyi-
dence taken but also gives conclusions
drawn from the evidence. Under
the rules when a court is required 10
find facts, there is to be reported not
only a recital of the evidence, but "alsO
the results and conclusions Of the
court from hearing evidence" When
the inquiry is concluded the report,
accompanied by all the evidence and
exhibits, must be authenticated by
Captain Sampson and Judge Advocate
Mark. 1t will then be forwarded to
i
to the office of the judge advocate gen
eral, where it becomes a permanent
record. The secretary of the navy
passes on the opinions of the court
but as rule the findings of fact stand
without approval,
| The officials of the war department
have completed all preliminary ar
engagements for the immediate execu-
ton Of the bill which is expected to
become a law within the next few
days, providing for two additional reg
lments Of artillery. There will be no
difficulty whatever in securing the
men as applications for enlistment
have been received far in excess Of
the number required. With two new
regiments, the total strength OF the
army will be increased nearly $1,000
men.
A Washington special to a New York
paper says: Emergency preparations
of the most important character yet
attempted by the navy department,
have been formally decided upon and
the necessary orders for carrying them
out have been issued by Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt. These preparations
include:
First-Orders to vessels in different
owls IL