The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-14
ORDERS TO BE ISSUED TO-DAY
THEODORE ROOSEVELT TO BE
NOTIFIED THIS MORNING.
Scenes at the Capital-HOw the News
Was Received at New York, CO.
Iumbus and Canton.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14.-When the blow
fell and official announcement came that
President Mckinley had passed away at
2:l5 o'clock the crowds which had been on
the streets, restlessly and sorrowfully
awaiting news of the end, had retired for
the night, as had all the government Of
fcials, 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 en-
ployes, as soon as they received official
confirmation of the news Immediately sent
cablegrams to each and every United States
ambassador and minister or charge,
where these were absent from their posts,
notifying them that President Mckinley
died at 2:15 this morning in Buffalo, and
instructing them so to inform the govern
ments to which they were accredited.
There were no details L. the messages
nothing but this brief announcement-and
they were identical in language, except in
the names of the persons addressed The
ambassadors and ministers were expected
to communicate the information in turn to
the United States consular officers within
the limit Of their posts In cases of coun-
tries like Australia and Canada, where the
United States government is not repre-
sented in diplomatic capacity, messages
of like character were sent to the United
States consuls general, who were to repeat
them TO the consuls. The original message
was signed by Secretary Hay, Mr.. Bah
cock, his private secretary, having taken
1t from the State Department TO the sec
retarys home for that purpose
This was all that the Department of
State could do tonight. AS soon as pos
sible it will issue a proclamation annotnc.
tn "a mi fpsl
states and the world at large, and direct
the closing Of the executive departments
ana navy yards and army posts as mark
or mourning. But this proclamation re-
quires the signature of President Roosevelt,
and 1t must be countersigned also by Secre-
tary Hay, formalities which may consume
some time, owing TO the separation by dis
lance of these officials, unless it be ar
ranged by telegraph. so that the proclama-
ton may be delayed a day or two. The
clerks on duty at once notified ali their
chiefs of the death.
Arrangements have been made by which
secretary hay Will meet acting Secretary
of War Gillespie and acting Secretary of
the Navy Hackett in the State Department
in the morning for the purpose of promul-
eating the necessary orders of three de-
partments. 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 issued in his name.
The order is addressed to all division and
OCpoiA COlllilldHuSIS III the Oulleu
States, the Philippines. Cuba, Porto Rico
and Alaska, and announced the death of
President Mckinley and directs that all
work be suspended for to-day, all flags to
be at half staff and that thirteen guns be
fired in the morning and one at intervals
of half an hour and forty five guns at
sunset.
A similar order will be issued by the
Navy Department. 1t is also probable that
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 Washington and to the place
of interment
The White House promptly sent the Off
death to Secretaries Hay and Gage. the
only Cabinet members in town, and also
notified the commissioners of the District
of Columbia. The White House will be
closed tomorrow and until after the fu-
neral at least
The White House flag will be half-mast-
ed, but a comparatively recent act of Con-
gress forbids draping public buildings with
emblems of mourning.
1t is likely that President Roosevelt as
his first official act, Will issue a prOclama-
ton announcing the death of the late Pres
ident. He will likely designate the day of
burial and appoint it to be observed
throughout the United States as a dav of
mourning. He will doubtless follow the ex-
ample of his predecessors i'm similar cases
and recommend that on the day of burial
all people assemble lin their respective
places of divine worship, there to render
alike their tribute of sorrowful submission
to the will of Almighty God and of rever-
ence and love for the memory and char
acter of our late chief magistrate"