The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-25

that the boilers did not explode. and that
tbe excelsior used for packing in the ten
inoh iuagazine rs not even charred.
One of the prominent naval officers oil
the United States has Informed CORES
pondent that no torIedo could have done
the damage To the Maine, anu Inae !, @ Was
undoubtedly "a mine. lead ana line
dropped from just forward OF the con-
ming tower would strike almost the spot
whore the explosion occurred.
IL there was mine there it Is hardly
possible that anything Will be lett TO
show IL. The explosion and the weight
of the wrecked vessel would nave COM
bined 10 obliterate all traces OF IT.
Ihe wreck is settling into the mud at
the rate Of loot day, and the divers
are working waist deep In the mud.
Divers from the wrecklDg tug Right
Arm went steadily on with their work
on the wreck Of the Maine yesterday.
Many Rrewsome souvenirs OF tne ulSister
we're found Dynamite in small quAb-
titles will soon tie Used 10 remove the
debris which obstructs the work of the
divers.
In reror;s to the state department
CopsuI-General Lee. in Cubs. has ex-
pressed the opinion that the dissster 10
tbe Maine was not the result of an acci-
dent. The administration no believes
this. ard there are no signs that Presi-
dent Mckinley will shirk responsibility
when n crisis is reached. but Will hold
Snain responsible IL the cause OF the
disaster was outside the ship.
ORDERS have Teen given by the navy
department for the enlistment oi an un-
limited number OF atls bodied seamen,
and the department. " ssterday contractei
for an additional supply OF guns for
armiup auxiliary cruisers. The hddi-
tionaI seamen are required for the gun
merry training ship Lancaster the chdet
training ship Monongahela the dispatch
boat Dolphin and the training ship
Alliance.
Assistant Secretary Of the Navy Roose-
yelt hps ssnt Instructions TO the naval
militia organizations In ell parts OF the
country calling for Information ms To the
number OF small steam yess,ls which
could be useful il they were needed.
Additional strength for the United
states navv. in case Of an emergency,
might bs obtained through the purch8 80
of s1ips under construction for weaker
nations now nearing completion. There
was n successful test Of the Holland SUBJ
marine tcrpedo toat yesterday, ana gov
ernment officials we're somewhat uneasy,
fearing that II the Cubans had control OF
her. ns.had been reported, she might do
some harm TO the Nizcaya. Search was
mnde FOR the Holland by navy yard
tug. and tine Erie the submarine crafts $
tug. was searched for filibusters.
Msior-Gsneral Merritt was in secret
conference with the officers of Fort Me-
Pherson at Atlanta Ga, last night, and
IL is expected that eight Of the ten com
panies of the Fifta Infantry will he
ord red Immediately TO the seaboard. two
companies going to each Of the following
citi s: CHARLESTON, savannah, Bruins
W ick and Key West.
An order was received az the fort 10 rtbe
inmodints testing Of all guns and Gquick
repcrt of ammunition on hand There
Is now nc the post sufficient ammunition
D. supply zach man In the regiment with
400 rounds. and there Is "a supply of $1,000
rounds for the Calling gun.
Unless hitcn cones, which II inprob-
abls, the artillery increase bill Will pass
the hous, of Representatives On Sstur.
CAV, and will probably be signed on Mon
day. Then enlistment OF men will begin.