The evening times., 1899-11-22

After. a careful consideration of the mat
ter In all its phases, the Navy Department
has determined that the preservation of
the bodies of the enlisted men who lost
their lives in the destruction of the Maine
and are now lying in Cristobal Colon
Cemetery, Havana, makes it necessary
that they be removed from the place. Ac-
cordingly, orders have been Issued for the
disinterment of the remains of the Maine's
dead and their shipment to the United
States. They will be reinterred in Arling-
ton. As -
The bodies will be brought to this coun-
try in the battleship Texas unless she
should be found unsuitable for such pur-
pose. The selection OF the Texas was due
to a sentimental reason. Capt. Charles d.
Sigsbee, who commanded the Maine wheA
she was destroyed in Hayana harbor on
the night of February 10, 1898, is the pres
ent commander of the Texas, and the de-
partment decided that he was the officer
most suited to have charge of the vessel
which would convey the remains Of his
men back to their own country:
There is quite a story behind the action
of the Navy Department, which was en-
bodied in the orders to Captain Green, the
commandant Of the Havana naval station,
to have the remains disinterred and pre-
pared for shipment. In the month follow
ing the Maine disaster. Congress appro-
priated $4,000 to defray the cost OF bring
ing the remains to this country for burial
at Arlington. The war followed quickly,
making it impossible for the Navy De-
partment to carry out the wishes OF Con-
gress. When the United States Govern
,ment took possession Of the Island OF Cuba
on January /, 1899. immediate cons.dera-
ton was given to the question OF remov-
ing the bodies of the dead bluejackets and
marines to America. 1t was determined.
however, for sanitary reasons, and on ae-
count of other considerations which the ma
val officers do not care to disclose, not to
do this, and the Navy Department proceed
ed to apply part OF the appropriation OF
Congress to permanently improving the
plot in which the bodies were buried
Since then reasons have appeared which
make it necessary for the department,
through its representatives in Havana, TO
secure permanent title TO the plot. Diff
culties arose at once. When the dead OF
the American battleship were inferred
there, the lot contained in its centre soli-
tary grave. that Of a Spaniard. This grave
had become the absolute property OF the
relatives of the person whose body was IN
tered in it The relatives declined to sur
render their interest 10 the United states
in order that the body might be removed
No progress was made in the attempt TO
purchase the lot from the church, there be-
ing an apparent unwillingness to let 1t pass
into the possession of the United States.
Under the law governing interments, the
lease on the lot held by this Government
would cease after FIVE years, and then the
cemetery authorities would have the right
to disinter the remains and cast them into
the common bone pile, which Is feature
of Spanish American cemeteries.
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, while in Washington.
had conference on the Subject with
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Allen. and
advised that the remains be brought back
to this country, decision that had been
already practically reached by the Navy
Department on account of the complications
mentioned The uncertainty surrounding
the future OF Cuba was one of the consid-
erations that induced the department 10
order the remains brought, home. Theirs
was no surety, il was conteBded, that the
United States would be in a position five
years hence to protect the plot from desc
Grafton.
The orders to Captain Green were sent
by mail. With them were inclosed copies
of contracts to be made by him with under
takers in Havana to take charge of the dis
interment and the preparation of the re-
mains for shipment Capt Green was di-
rected TO have the bodies inclosed in zinc
casketS.
Owing to the quarantine regulations the
bodies must be removed between December
and February I. This will prevent
acquiescence by the department in sug-
gestion to have the reinterment in Airing
ton occur on February 15 next, the second
anniversary of the destruction of the Maine
The remains OF the few men who were
killed in the Maine disaster and buried at
Key West, will be also removed to Airing
ton. -