The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1910-09-19
RAISING OF THE MAINE
viii It Create an Epidemic of Vel
low Fever in Havana?

INV TCNSI ~ F1dNoHos
Washington, Sept. 17.-Will the |
raising of the United States battle
ship Maine now buried in twenty-sev-
en- feet of slime and filth that has
been pouring into the harbor of Ha-
vana for centuries, cause an epidemic
of yellow fever in Havana and spread
to the southern gulf cities?
This question War Department Off
Gals refuse to discuss at length, pre-
ferring to make this minor consid-
Grafton to the all important one of
raising the Maine to determine whet
her or not the war with Spain was
justified.
Since the city OF Havana assumed
the proportions of city, several cen
| turtles ago, its sewage has emptied in
TO the harbor As there is practically
no tide, the slime and filth settle to
the bottom of the bay. Until Ameri-
can occupation Of the Island Cuba
was annually visited with the deadly
scourge Of yellow fever and rigorous
quarantine was observed by all cities
Of the United States against the
Queen of the Antilles Particular
| ~ was this true OF the southern gulf
ports where traffic with the island
was heavy Notwithstanding this,
yellow fever was brought into the
United States and epidemics of the
disease were prevalent throughout
the southern States. Following the
American occupation. sanitary condi-
tions on the island were much i'm
proved, although by no means made
perfect Havana harbor is still the
reservoir for the disposition Of the
citys sewage.
When the Maine was blown up
twelve years ago. by what Is now
thought to have been a Spanish tor
pedo or mine, the wreck began to
slowly disappear in the mud OF Ha-
vana harbor until one mast and some
twisted steel Junk are the only Wis
ihle signs that an American battle
ship and It's crew have paid the price
OF war
Since that time American citizens
have been calling for the raising of
he Maine and recovering the bodies
Of the brave crew who have been so
ANONYMOUSLY neglected by the gov
eminent and through tardy legisla-
ton by Congress appropriations have
at last been made which will make
this undertaking a reality.
To do this two plans which strike
ofiicia as practical HAYES been sub
mitted; one calls for the building OF
q coferdam around the vessel and
the other for constructing two whar.
yes, one on either side OF the battle.
ship, and raising II by means OF ca.
bles. In either case, however. II will
=, be necessary to dig through the mud
. and filth which now covers the wreck
:. In the former case, should that plar
> be more acceptable, more than $500.
/. 600 cubic feet Of offensive mud anC
!, slime will have to be pumped from
= the bottom OF the harbor. Wha
amount Of disease may spread owe
the city Of Havana or even cities n
the United States as n result no on
c connected with the army will say
In the latter plan hundreds OF Unite
States safe are TO be used. an
while the bed Of the harbor will no
be nearly as much disturbed. the me
Id who will be called upon to work Their
IN run the chances OF imminent deaf
p from exposure to the disease bree,
w ing mud
N Col l.. a. LeGrade and Major II. "
b. Ireland of the Surgeon. Generals stat
m now on duty at the War Department
IN express themselves as unfamIlia
p. with the conditions obtaining In IN
n. harbor Of Havana From a medic,
ne standpoint, however. regarding N
" sanitation OF the island during IN
he period of raising the vessel both AZ
Ia. Of the opinion that some disease ma
or be spread to the city OF Havana
tons OF sea mud are exposed TO m
IN. winds. They do not regard Il rs In
40 probable that germs Of yellow iacl
"a could be transported TO the Unite
=, States.
re Just what steps the War nepa,
Cd ment viii take In guarding the heal
nd OF the citizens OF Havana as well
'S Of the United States Is not no
ne known. as the problem has not be,
,n seriously considered. The matte
NJ however, Il Is said. will be aiken
, NV to consideration with other things
@ the commission appointed bv Go
,ro William II. Bixby Of the Engine