The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-27
The SITUATION SUMMED UP
Officials at Washington Hear Nothing
from the Maine.
DISPOSITION OF BODIES IN FUTURE.
VIII he shipped 20 Key West In Her.
mcttcnlly sealed Caskets-Niovc-
mcnt of the Naval vessels.

Washington, February a6-ln the alb.
sence of news from Havana on any sub
1ect other than the disposition OF dead
bodies, the official mind turned today to
an analysis OF the Spanish statements
made with more or less degree OF official
sanction The reported total absence OF
marine mines from Havana harbor was re-
garded by the navy department as ncga-
living the mine theory OF an external
cause for the explosion just as recent let
tiers put an end TO the exploding boiler
theory as an internal cause for the disas-
ter. Nothing was heard today from the
court OF inquiry, and the department is
sun ignorant of its plans. In fact the
only news was contained i'll the following
dispatch from Captain sigsbee;
Havana, February g6.--Iiave succeeded
in making arrangements by which bodies
may be sent to Hey West in Theoretically
sealed zinc cases Refer to Eorsythe for
burial in Key West. Probable that bodies
hereafter can not be recognized. Prom
able bodies Will not remain intact.
Condition OF bodies requires immediate
action.
Jenkins and Merritt may be recognized
by uniform. Can secure health permit az
Key West to land bodies there Divers
can not get down aft after bodies this
morning, Much debris. Win clear it
away Wainwright placed IN charge OF
wrecking matters.
tsigned) "sigsbee."
The following reply was sent:
"Slgsbee Havana.
washington. February 26.-Referring
to your telegr-m this date. send bodies
that may hereafter be recovered to Key
West for burial. Send by Bache.
(Signed) Long"
To Key West dispatch was forwarded
as follows:
Naval Station, Key West,
Washington, February 26.--Sigsbee or
dered TO send bodies that may hereafter be
recovered TO Key West for temporary bur
ial. viii arrive in Theoretically sealed
zinc cases. Make necessary arrangements.
Bodies will arrive by Bache.
(Signed.) Long
1t Is believed at the department that
there are probably in the neighborhood of
fifty bodies remaining to be discovered
and eXtricated from the wreck.
The double turreted monitor Terror
started for New York today from Hampton
Roads on orders received today. She will
be most powerful reinforcement TO the
defenses OF the commercial metropolis in
case of need, and stationed in The Narrows
IL would be difficult for ahJ- hostiie snip
to pass her. With the exception of the
training ship Essex, which arrived at
Hampton Roads today and the Brooklyn,
coal on her way to La Ghayara, distant 800
miles, this was the only naval movement
today.
There were n number OF alarming stories
as to heavy shipments of ordnance from
the Washington navy yard 10 New York
for the armory OF the auxiliary navy de-
partment. 1t is said at the department
that none OF these guns were shipped to-
day, but that a few for the Chicago, per-
haps five rapid fire guns. viii be dis
patched Monday or Tuesday. With these
guns in place the Chicago will be pretty
well modernized in the matter of arma-
ment
The Dolphin is to go into commission in
New York on March "a. Although rated
as the presidents yacht, the vessel, which
has been thoroughly overhaued and fur
nished with new boilers and decks. carries
even now sufficient battery TO make her,
when speed is taken into account. a very
efficient gunboat
The officials of the war department
have completed all the preliminary ar
rangements for the immediate execution
of the bill which is expected to become a
law within the next few days providing
for two additional regiments of artillery.
There will be no difficulty whatever IN So
curing the men, as applications for enlist
ment have been received far in excess OF
the number required. viz. 1850 men. Only
the best men VIII he accepted. Under the
law all must he citizens OF the United
states II IS probable that the ranks will
be recruited to large extent from men
who have already served one or more terms
in tho army. With the two regiments
| there will be seven regiments of artillery,
aud the total strength Of tie army. in
Guiding the hospital corps, ordnance and
engineer battalions and the West Point
dstaehment win be increased to nearly
1900 men.