The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-02-23
MYSTERY SURROUNDS WHOLE
AFFAIR.
Captain sigsbss as yet Makes no Report Re
esrding the Origin Of the Disaster.

termine the cause, but competent investi-
gators viii decide whether the explosion
was produced from an interior or exterior
cause. I can not say anything until amer
such an investigation has been made. /
will not and can not conscientiously an
ticipate the decision, nor do / wish to
make any unjust estimate of the reason
Of the disaster"
Several theories have been advanced as
to the cause of the terrible disaster. Cap
tain General Blanco believes that it was
due to the bursting of boiler. Other
naval experts believe that it occurred
through spontaneous combustion in one
ofthe coal bunkers near the powder mag
azine in the fore part of the vessel.
a third theory is that the vessel was
sunk by torpedo.
This latter theory, while it has many
adherents, is not supported by any def
mite facts.
The feeling throughout the country is
strong that the explosion was the result OF
Sp snish plot Statements are made tina
the harbor of Havana was covered with
torpedoes.
1t is stated that Captain Sigsbee was
warned to look out for his ship; the
warning was written on the margin of
circular Of which the following is trans
lation:
LoNG LIVE SPAIN AND HONOR
"What are ye doing, that ye allow your
ses to he insulted in this way? Do you
not see what they have done 10 us in with
drawing our brave and beloved Weyler,
who at this very time would have finish
Ell with this unworthy rebellious rabble,
who are trampling on our flag and our
honor? Autonomy is imposed on MS to
set us 10 one side and to give posts of
honor and authority to those who initia-
tel this rebellion, these ill-born autono-
mists, nngrateful sons of our beloved
country. And, finally, these Yankee hogs
who meddle in our affairs, humiliating us
to the last degree, and, for still greater
taunt, order TO us one of the ships of war
of their rotten squadron after insulting us
in their newspapers and driving us from
our homes. Spaniard :, the moment of
action has arrived. Sleep not Let US
show these vile traitors that we have not
yet lost shame, and that we know how to
protect with energy BETTING a nation
worthy and strong as our Spain is, and
always will be.
"Death to Americans, death to auton-
omy. Long live Spain. Long live Wey-
ler."
No sufficient evidence has as yet been
produced, the captain of the vessel has
not made his report, and the government
is waiting.
Kind words of sympathy have been re-
eeived from many European rulers. Eng
lish newspapers express the opinion that
the disaster was the result of a Spanish
plot.
a Court of Inquiry TO investigate the
Maine disaster has been appointed. Cap
tain Sampson, the President of the court,
is commander of the battleship Iowa,
now at the Tortugas.
The means and facilities for sending
the bodies of the victims TO the United
States are lacking at Havana, and Cap
tain Sigsbee advised acceptance of the re-
quest of the authorities to make the fu-
nerals OF the victims an occasion for show
ing popular sympathy at the catastrophe.
The Navy Department aeceded TO the re-
qnest, and an impressive funeral cere-
m0ny was held Thursday.
A report that has not been verified says
that the divers who have been working
about the hull of the Maine have discov-
cred an eight inch percussion hole in a
plate. This, if true, would show that it
had been caused by a torpedo. The report
is not credited at the Navy Department.
In the opinion of Lieutenant Hood, of
the Maine, she can never again be utilized
a5 ship. The whole forward body of
the ship collapsed.
The explosion so disjointed aud twisted |
the battleship that her remains now ap-
pear like pile of wreekage. All thc-sf,
per deck structure. tairels and guns, are |
:: :. aeap, and one boiler has been blown |
out Of its place.
As TO the origin of the explosion there |
is still wide difference of opinion, but
the coal bunker theory is finding many
more supporters than any other.
On the night of the explosion, when the !
keys of the magazines were delivered to
Captain Sgsbee, the temperature of the
forward magazines was 80, and it Is said
no high explosives were stored there.
1t is stated that the Maine reached Ha-
vana unannonueed, and it would have
been diiiicult, if not impossible, TO have
placed torpedo underneath the spot
where she was moOred.
Secretary Long positively denies that
Captain Sigsbee has in any suppressed
telegram expressed the opinion that tor
pedo caused the disaster, or that it came
from an external cause.
OF the sixty-two survivors brought 20
Key West by the steamer Olivette, twenty
are wounded, ten seriously, and one IA
tally.
1t is probable that the families Of the
victims of the Maine disaster will be
cared for by the Government, as were the |
survivors Of those who were lost in the |
Samoan hurricane, several years ago. A |
resolution was introduced in the House |
appropriating sl5O.OOO for this purpose
Secretary Long directed that dispatches
be sent 10 the commandants of naval sta
tons and the chief officers of United |
States vessels throughout the world to
display all the flags at half-mast until /
further orders, as a mark of respect to
the officers and men drowned from the
Maine.
Monday morning the naval board of
inquiry into the disaster met at Havana.
The board is composed Of Capts. Samp-
son and Chadwick and Lieutenant Com
m Inders Potter and Mark. Capt. Sigs-
bee, commander of the Maine was the
first witness called. The board will make
a close personal observation ofthe wreck,
and will give out no information until
their report has been completed and pre-
sented to the Navy Department.
Pending the official investigation there
is nothing but conjecture or prejudice
upon which to base an opinion, and, so
far as the administration is concerned at
least, there is an evident determination
to treat the disaster as due solely to acci-
dent. And yet in face of this deiermina-
tion there are but few persons who believe
the blowing up OF the Maine was not due
to accident but to deliberate design