The herald., 1898-03-24
IN FORWARDING THE REPORT
ON THE MAINE
MESSENGERS ARE RETIcENT
But Convey Strong Impression That
the Theory Of Accident Is Not
Sustained
Associated Press Special wire


Inquiry, with the following party
arrived here this morning from Key
West: Lieutenant John Hood, Lieuten-
ant G. w. Janger, Passed Assistant En-
gineer F. A. Bower, Cadets Amos Brown
son and A. F. Boyd. Assistant Engineer
]. Morris and Carpenter g. NJ Helm.
A few minutes later they left by the
East Coast Railway for Washington
Lieutenant Commander Mark was
very reticent but one Of the members OF
the party said:
'Tt looks like war"
Others, of the party. In answer 10 the
question, 'Is it war;" were more em-
phatic in their replies, one saying
cannot see how 1t can be avoided. An
other said: "There will be no war.
His face was as genial and bright as sun
shine, but suddenly change came over
his countenance, his eyes fiasneu nre
and when asked when the report would
be made, the reply was: "As soon as
we reach washington; there will be no
delay"
The strong impression left here was
that the boards report would be against
the aCClueIJ lHtOIys
WILL LEAVE HAVANA
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The Navy
Department has arranged for the prac-
&, tical withdrawal Of all of it's naval off,
GERS at Havana and the abandonment OF
the werck of the Inflated Maine. Cap
tain c. D. Sigsbee, Lieutenant -Comman-
der Richard Wainwright. Surgeon l.. q.
Heneberger, Paymaster Ray, Chaplain
John r. Chadwick, Chief Engineer .Chas
II. Howell and Naval Cadets j. A. Hol-
den and w. T. Cluverious. who have been
in Havana with the wreck, will return
very soon.
Secretary Long said today Captain
Sigsbee would come to washington as
soon as convenient but as yet nothing
has been done in regard to his future
duty. It might be necessary for Lieu
tenant Commander Wainwright who Is
in special charge Of the wrecked vessel,
to remain there short time longer, or
at least until 1t is finally settled that the
wreck cannot be raised and that there
Is no prospect Of the recovery OF any
other portions of the ship and its equip
ment. 1t might be necessary also Tor
one of the naval cadets to remain, but
this Is not regarded as probable. AL
though not finally settled, 1t is more
than probable that the Fern Will also
return to the United States as soon as IT.
is determined that nothing is to be gained
by her presence at Havana. In the event
of the abandonment of the wreck 1t Is
more than likely that the Navy Depart
ment will arrange for its complete de-
struction by the use of dynamite or tor
pedoes. In it's present condition 1t is
q dangerous obstruction to navigation
and 1t, Is not believed that any opposi-
ton will be made to its removal
THE OLD MONITORS n
WASHINGTON, March 23.-Secretary
Long today determined to bring into
service the eight old single-turreted
monitors used during the Civil War and
now lying at League Island navy yard,
Philadelphia. He issued orders that the
monitors Catskill and Lehigh proceed
to Boston and the monitors Nahant and
Jason to New York. The other moni-
tors, the Manhattan. the Mahopac, Mon
tauk and Canonlcus, will remain at
Philadelphia, where the work of pre-
pairing them for service will begin i'm
mediately.
Secretary Long today telegraphed or
ders to Captain Ludlow, of the monitor
Terror, to proceed at once to Key West
and report to Admiral Sicard. The Ter
ror will be permanently attached to the
squadron at Key West, 1t is said that
she takes the place of the Massachu-
setts and Texas. which have gone to
Hampton Roads and that this move has
been contemplated for more than a
week.
THE WESTERN COAST
SAN FRANCISCO, March 28.-Gen-
eral Shafter, commanding the Depart
ment Of California, has just made q
careful examination of Notifications at
Fort Point. The ten-inch rifles, twelve
inch guns, the mortar batteries and the
emplacements for five-inch rapid-firing
guns were all thoroughly inspected and
found to be in perfect condition and
ready to withstand the approach Of any
foreign war vessel that might attempt
to enter the harbor. Speaking of the
garrison, General Shafter said:
1.-THE troops on duty are sufficient to
take care of the high-power guns and
keep them in readiness for use. but the
force is not large enough to man the
guns in the event of war. Should war
come volunteers would probably be
called into service to assist in manning
the batteries"
AN OMINOUS FEELING
NEW YORK, March 23.-The Evening
World says: An ominous feeling that
the strained relations between America
and Spain will result in war Is shown
by the cabling Of English maritime COM
panies to their agents, insisting on the
insertion OF the war clause.
This clause says: 1T Is understood
the steamer is to be employed in strictly
neutral trades; Is not to be employed In
the carrying Of contraband goods or in
trade with ports under blockade. Also,
In the event of war being declared by or
against Great Britain by maritime pow
er. this charter is to be null and void
at the. end Of the current voyage"
NO MORE SHIPS BOUGHT
WASHINGTON, March 23.-The NAVY
Department has purchased no further
ships abroad and the negotiations are
not proceeding in q manner to indicate
success. 1t was definitely determined
today that the Chilean battleship Gem
eral O'Higgins could not be secured.
Commander Brownson Is today in Paris.
after having inspected the Braxilian
ships now building at La Seine. While
these might be secured they are long
way from completion and could be Of
little service at present. What the de-
partment wants Id ships which can be
rom foQfON al nj owon