The evening times., 1899-04-25
THE NAMES TE9INS
NOT 10 Be DISTURBED
Bodies of Sailors and Marines
to Stay in Cuba.
A Fitting honument Likely to Be
Erected.
Naval Oalcisls Reticeat. But Good
Reasons Uncovered for the
CeuEse Pursued.

| The bodies Of the sailors and marines
who perished in the blowing up OF the
Maine will never be inferred in this coun-
try. .......-....
Shortly after the terrible disaster which
caused the destruction Of that gallant ship
| ard the death Of over 200 heroic men Con-
gress appropriated $4,000 for the purpose
| of bringing the remains Of those who SO
| tragically lost their lives to this city, and
! it was intended that they should be in
TERED at Arlington. The time at which
the work should be done was left to the
| discretion Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
After the work of finding the bodies had
been completed they were buried at Ha-
vana and Key West, Fla. and no effort
has been made to remove them. Just why
this has not been done has been a matter
of wonder to the patriotic societies
throughout the country. and the Secretary
of the Navy Is daily in receipt OF commu-
nications enQuiring into the cause OF the
delay.
Evasive answers have been given to all
requests for information. it being The de-
sire Of the Navy Department to let the
matter drop. Several Of the patriotic So
cieties have become indignant and demand
ed reasons why the Secretary Of the Navy
has disregarded the action Of Congress.
Letters have been received from the rela-
lives and friends OF those who perished.
piteously entreating that some action be
taken in the matter.
Assistant Secretary OF the Navy Allen,
during his recent visit to Havana. person.
ally supervised the placing OF the graves
Of those who perished in the Maine disas-
ter in pe-fect order. When seen by
Times reporter today regarding the time
when the bodies would be brought to this
country he evasiyely replied that quaran-
tine regulations would not permit OF the
removal during the spring or summer sea-
son. His attention was then called to the
fact that abundant time had elapsed since
the tragedy to meet the requirements CT
the Congressional appropriation. Without
making any reply TO this statement, he
went on to describe the condition OF the
graves at the present time. He said that
when he was in Havana he had all OF
the mounds placed in perfect order. and
provisions had recently been made for
erecting a permanent wall enclosure
around the hallowed spot. A design OF this
wall was shown, and ii is Of the most
artistic and appropriate character.
The wall will be about six feet high AMI
at each OF the four corners small cannon
will be mounted. Anchors will be imbed
graves OF the Maine victims have been
walled up and tropical shrubbery planted
in the enclosure. The erection of
suitable monument is also in contempla-
tion.
When asked IL these elaborate and per-
manent plans did not preclude the idea OF
the bodies ever being brought to this coun-
try. the Secretary quickly changed the
subject and declined to answer any direc:
question. As stated before. the naval au-
thorities do not care to converse on the
subject but it is stated that, beyond
doubt. no further action will ever be taken
in the matter.
Although the Secretary of the Navy Will
assign no reason for not allowing the
bodies to be brought home. it is said that
he wishes TO spare the feelings of the fam
lilies Of those who so met death in that ter
rible explosion.
1t was learned from one who witnessed
the interment at Havana that the majority !
OF the bodies were SO mutilated as TO be
unrecognizable. Frequently only an arm
was found which bore tattoo marks, and
this was the sole means of identification. |
All of these limbs were buried. and ii is
not the desire of the Navy Department
TO in any way contribute to the sorrow Of
the relatives and friends at home.
Ii is understood that the officials feel
that under the circumstances II would be
much better to leave the mutilated re-
mains in their Cuban resting place and
that the Navy Department is pursuing this
course simply out Of sympathy for those
when the brave men of the Maine have
left to mourn their loss