The Washington times., 1912-04-16
Last Chance Removed.


Last Chance Removed.
This seemed to remove the last chance
that Major Butts had been picked up.
Later In the day hope was revived by
the suggestion that perhaps some other
vessel. which has not yet been heard
of, had saved the popular military aid,
but this was plainly a last, desperate
thought to avoid an inevitable admls-
sion.
It is regarded as curious play Of
fate that Major Butts would have re-
but for the fact that he % delayed his
homecoming to bring certain confiden-
tial communications from the Pope to
President Taft.
Maj Blanten winship, who shares
his bachelor quarters with Maj. Ar
chibald Butt, said today that he had
heard nothing bearing directly on the
fate of his friend.
| that neither the Partisan nor the Vir-
ginian picked up any survivors. l am
still hoping that Major Butt was
saved; But must say that 1t looks
'There is no question. understand.
but what Millet was saved. l pre-
| sumo he may have been put in charge
of, one Of the boats in which women
and children were crowded. He had
| had experience in that kind OF work
and may have been specially picked
out to take charge IA boat.
beasE b%nsnG now sns ffes
that reason would probably not
hear from Major Butt even II he Is
safely on board one of the vessels"
Cabinet Does Nothing.
| Today is Cabinet meeting at the White
| House, but little business was done.
The news of the disaster swallowed up
all such temporarily minor considera-
tions as politics and official business.
Secretary of the Agriculture Wilson
expressed the suggestion that the ter
rible catastrophe might have been
avoided II the steamship had not taken
the Northern passage across the ocean.
| This passage is shorter than the one
| generally used by, steamships voyagfnS
| from the United States to the other
side, but at this time of the year II Is
more dangerous, because of ice bergs.
1T is a terrible thing" said the Sec
retary. mo word can properly express
It. 1t is horrible"
Secretary of War Stimson. Secretary
| OF the Navy Meyer. Secretary of the
Treasury MacVeagh. and all the Other
members of the Cabinet expressed the
deepest sorrow and regret over the ter.
| rible sea tragedy.
Brigadier General Edwards came to
the White House not only to inquire
as to Major Butt, but he was also in
ence Moore. General Edwards had re-
ceived a pleading mssage from Mrs
Moore to find out whatever he could
and he was greatly depressed when he
announcement back from tn White
House. No news was received thai
Mr.. Moore was among those saved, and
he, too, is believed to be lost.
General Wood Astonished.
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, chief Of
staff, expressed astonishment over tn,
fact that only about 800 persons hac
been saved
These vessels are most rigidly in
spected," he said "They are required
by law to carry a sufficient number Of
understand It the Titanic was equip
ped to carry about 5000 passengers. i
would seem that the vessel must have
had enough lfeboats to save all ol
them. 1t seems strange that such &
small number was saved"
The White House was especially in
terested in the news that Frank Millet
the artist, had been saved for the
reason that he and Major Butt occupied
the same stateroom when they SAILED
for Europe, and 1t is believed they also
had the same room on the Inflated re-
turn voyage.
The belief at the White House is that
Millet was saved because he is a com
paratiVely old man, and was given mex
preference to the women and children.
Butt, however, his White House
friends say, is the sort of man who
would refuse to take advantage Of any
chance to escape as long as places II
the liteboats were needed for older meT
or women and children.
: The military aide gained great popu
| lnritx, dtIriYp hiE RPFVilsa With the PFekl
over his fate were intsrspeIsed will
praises for his high qualities and fln'
manhood.
The President has ordersd his serre
! tAries &c transmit everv message abou