The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-27
And Outlines Possible Action i'm Case
the Naval Court Decides Span.
iards Are Responsible.
VIEWS OF SECRETARY LONG
HE THINKS THERE SHOULD BE NO
CAUSE FOR APPREHENSION.
Monitor Terror Ordered TO New York
ments of other War ships.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-Secretary Sher-
man spent some time at the Capitol to-day.
He talked freely with senators concerning
the situation in Havana in view of the
Maine disaster. He told them that no inns
portant addition to the information
previously received had reached the de-
partment for the past few days. but stated
that the situation was being considered
with the view of having a policy developed
in case the naval court now making an
inquiry into the disaster should find that 1t
was not the result of an accident. To this
he added the statement that he thought an
indemnity would certainly be demanded.
and that if it should be round sum would
be asked. What that sum should be would,
however, depend largely on circumstances.
The secretary did not think the Spanish
authorities had been aware of intentions
of any one who may have caused the ex-
plosion, but he advanced the opinion that,
whether they were or not, the Spanish gov
ernment would be liable for Indemnity II
it was shown that any Spaniard had
caused it.
In the absence of news from Havana on
any subject other than the disposition OF
dead bodies, the official mind turned to-day
TO an analysis of the Spanish statements.
made with more or less degree of official
sanction, respecting the total absence OF
submarine mines from Havana harbor, and
it was regarded by the Navy Department
as negat ying the mine theory of an exS
ternal c..ise for the explosion just as re-
cent letters put an end to the exploding
boiler theory as an internal cause for the
disaster. Nothing heard to-day from
the court of inquiry and the department is
still ignorant of its plans.
Secretary Long enjoyed sound sleep
last night, the first he has had for some
time, and in consequence he felt so much
refreshed this morning that he decided to
abandon his proposed absence from the
Navy Department and continue at his
duties So he was early at his desk and in
consultation with Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt and Captain Crownnshied chief
of the Navigation Bureau. AS to the out
look he said he thought things were look
ing much better. He said the public ought
not to be under any Misrepresentation with
regard to naval movements; that so far
they had mostly been the ordinary dispos-
tions which are made from time to time
for instance, the shipping of guns to New
York is to supply the Chicago and other
vessels which are under construction
~
gun factory at Washington is where they
are made, and they are sent to V9gloVs
points as the occasion required. 81 too,
the call for more men, he said is klmply
the revival of the recommendation b his
annual report.
This statement by the secretary evil Ventiy
was made to allay the impression ckused
by the reports of heavy shipments of guns
from the Washington navy yard and other
warlike measures, particularly the arnnlng
of the auxiliary navy 1t is said at theI de-
partment that SO far small guns Were
shipped to-day, but that few. forl the
Chicago, probably fourteen fivednch rapid
fire guns, will be dispatched Monday or
Tuesday With these guns in place the dhi-
cago would be pretty well modernizedS In
the matter of armament. She Will caIkry
still four big eight-inch guns In sponsorNf1
on the spar deck, while on the gun dech
these fourteen hve-inch rapid-fre guns win
replace eight six-inch guns Of old pattern.
The Dolphin is to go into commission IN
New York on the 24th of March. Although
rated as the Presidents yacht. the vessel.
which has been thoroughly oyerhauled and
furnished with new boilers and decks, car
ries even now a sufficient battery to make
her, when speed is taken into account, 4
remain the same as before she went TO the
yard for repairs last fall.
The double turreted monitor Terror start
ed for New York this evening from Hamp-
ton Roads under orders received to-day
She will be a most powerful reinforcement
to the defenses Of the commercial metropo-
lis in case of need, and, stationed in the
Narrows it would be difficult for any hostile
ship to pass her. With the exception OF the
training ship Essex, which arrived at
Hampton Roads to-day, and the Brooklyn.
which arrived at St. Lucia probably to coal
on her way to LagIarya, distant
five hundred miles, this was the
only naval movement reported this
afternoon. The movement OF some
of the war ships, such as the Detroit and
Marblekead, towards Key West had already
been shown TO have been in accordance
with orders not only made but published
In the newspapers as well before the Maine
disaster. so that the secretarys explana-
tion on this point is only coniirmatory OF
the statements of the subordinate officials
of the Navy Department. The telegraph
brought news this morning of the arrival
at Key West OF the two vessels named,
the Detroit coming from Mobile. where she
was sent 10 participate in the Mardi Gras
festivities, ana the MarDlehead from New
Orleans, where she went for a similar pur-
pose. The Detroit is going up TO the naval
station 10 take on coal, and both vessels
will remain attached to the North Atlantic
squadron. 1t is again stated at the Navy
Department that the Montgomery, which
has been ordered to drop down TO Key West
from Tampa, where she landed Captain
Crowninshleld, has not as yet received anv
orders 10 proceed To Havana and IL i. -.