The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-14
A WORLD KNOWS 1T
NOTIFIED BY SECRETARY HAY o,.
PRESIDENTS DEATH.
MINISTER'S TO EVERY COURT
ARE SENT CABLEGRAMs ANNouNc
ING THE NATIONS GRIEF.

Only the Bare Facts of the DEATH I.
Given in These Messages nnd ~.
Details VIII Be Sent Lnter-w,
Departments Order to the Diyis.
ions and Posts of the Army Ha.
Been Issued-It Directs the yIonor.
That Shall Be Paid to the Dea.,
Presidcnt-Guard of Honor for M.
Body.
Washington, Sept. 14.-When the
blow fell and the official announcement
came that President Mckinley had
passed away at 2:15 o'clock, the crowds
which had been on the streets, rest
lessly and sorrowfully awaiting news
of the end, had retired for the night
as had all the government officials save
a few clerks at the State, War and
Navy Departments.
Secretary Hay had given directions
what should be done, and Acting CHIEF
Clerk Martin and other employees as
soon as they received official confirma-
ton of the news, Immediately indicted
cablegrams to each and every United
States ambassador and minister. noti-
flying them that President MCKINLEY
died at 2:15 o'clock this morning in
Buffalo. and instructing them so to in
form the governments to which thew
were accredited.
There were no details in the mes
sages, nothing but this brief announce
ment, and they were identical in lam
guage, except in the names of the per-
sons addressed. The original message
was signed by Secretary Hay, Mr..
Babcock, his private secretary, having
taken it from the State Department to
the secretary's home for that purpose
This was all that the Department of
State could do tonight. AS soon as
possible it will issue a proclamation
and announce the Presidents demise
to the United States, and to the world
at large, and direct the close of the
executive departments and navy yards
and army posts as a mark of mourn
ing.
But this proclamation requires the
signature of President Roosevelt and
must be countersigned also by Secre-
tary Hay, formalties which may con-
sumo some time, owing to the separa-
ton by distance of these officials, unless
it be arranged by telegraph, so that the
proclamation may be delayed a day or
two. The clerks on duty at once noti-
fed all their chiefs of the death.
Arrangements have been made by
which Secretary Hay will meet Acting
Secretary of War Gillespie and Act
ing Secretary of the Navy Hackett in
the State Department in the morning
for the purpose of promulgating the
necessary orders of the three depart
ments. The order of the War Depart
ment has been prepared already. 1t is
drafted on lines similar to that issued
when President Garfield was stricken.
1t has been telegraphed to Secretary
Root for his approval and may be is
sued in his name. The order is address,
ed to all division and department COM
nlanders in the United States the
Philippines. Cuba, Porto Rico and
Alaska announces the death of Prasi-
dent Mckinley, and directs that all
work be suspended for the day, all flags
be placed at half-staff, and that thir-
teen guns be fred in the morning. one
at intervals of half an hour during the
Gay, and forty-fve guns at sunset.
A similar order will be issued by the
Navy Department. 1t is also proba-
BILE that a guard of honor, consisting
of high officers of the army and navy
will be named at once to escort the
remains of the dead President to Wash
ington and to the place of interment.
The White House promptly sent the
official announcement it had received
of the death to Secretaries Hay and
Gage, the only cabinet members in
town, and also notified the commits
sioners of the District of Columbia.
The White House will be closed to-
morrow, and until after the funeral
at least, the White House flag Will
be half-masted, but comparatively
recent act of Congress forbids draping
public buildings with emblems OF
mourning.
1t is likely that President Roosevelt,
as his first official act will issue a
proclamation announcing the death OF
the late President. He will likely des-
ignate the day of burial and appoint
1t to be observed throughout the United
States as a day of mourning. He Will
doubtless follow the example of his pre-
decessors in similar cases and recon-
mend that on the day of burial all peo-
pie assemble Sin their respective places
of divine worship, there to render alike
their tribute of sorrowful submission to
the will of the Almighty God and OF
reverence and love for the memory and
character 10 Re i<fr "a O ~