The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-02-25

The cause of the explosion is.
so far as reports received would
indicate. involved in mystery. no
hint as vet being given h a would
tend to point in any manner to the
cause.
The explosion created the utmost
CONSERVATION in Havana, windows be-
ing smashed by the conclusion in all
parts of the city. The fire police and
military were prompt in rendering as
sistance. while the boats of the Spanish
cruiser Alphonso MI. did good service
in rescuing many of those who were
either blown overheard or jumped into
the water TO avoid the flames of the
burning vessel.
The Maine was a battleship of the
second class. and was regarded as of
the best ships in the new navy She
was built at the Brooklyn ~navy-yard.
and was 3ls feet long IS feet wide. al.6
mean draught, 6.6s2 o n displacement.
She carried four l0-inch and six six-inch
breech-loading guns in her main bat
terry, and seven six-pounder and eight
one-pounder rapid-fire guns and four
Gatlings IN her secondary battery, and
Four Whitehead torpedoes.
Secretary Long Expresses Himself Care
fully.
WASHINGTON. Feb. litter a day
of intense excitement . the navy de-
partment and clsewhcr.. growing out
Of the destruction of the battleship
Maine in Havana harbor. Tuesday
night. the situation. after the exchange
of a number Of cablegrams between
Washington and Havana. can be
summed up in the words of Secretary
Long. who. when asked. as he was
about TO depart for the day. whether
he bad reason 10 suspect that the dis
aster was the work of an enemy, re.
piled:
II have not. In that | am influenced
by the fact that Capt. Sigsbee has not
yet reported to the navy department
on the cause. He is evidently waiting
to write a full report. 80 long as h,
does not express himself | certainly
cannot. ! should think from the indi
cations, however. that there was al
accident-that the magazine exploded
How that came about | do not know
For the present. at least. no other wa
ship will be sent to Havana"
Had "a SOLDERING Eject.
The appalling nature of the disaste
and the gravity of the situation tina
would arise should investigation Civ
81 r. A.. $40
picion Of treachery and foul play tina
ran through all minds, had a SOLDERING
effect upon public men OF all shades o
political opinion.
The fact stands forth, AMI is littl
less than remarkable. that not "A singl
rcsol alton was introduced or a singl
speech made in either house of congress
save one of coincidence with the fam
lies of the killed. offered by Mr.. 30,
telle and adopted by the house OK rel
resentatives-
Public men expressed their opinion
with reserve when approached. bt
everywhere there was a demand for Q
investigation and full details in Il
light of which the horror may be just
viewed.
General Opinion unmarried
Secretary Long undoubtedly sun
married the general opinion Of the IN
iority OF the naval experts ir finding
impossible just now TO state the eau
of the destruction of the Maine. The
nrc a great number Of theories. b.
most Of them are of a character TIN
makes 1t easy To prove or upset them !
single investigation by a diver.
Secretary Long has taken immcdia
steps to make tins investigation. La
yesterday afternoon he telegraphed
Admiral Sicard.at Key West. 10 appoi
y board Of nava. officers to proceed