18 Feb 1898
Page 1
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Newspaper
Austin Daily Herald
Location
Austin, Minnesota, United States of America
Date
Feb 18, 1898
Page
1
Fragmentary reporting from the Maine disaster shows the Navy Department under pressure to explain the loss. Telegrams and accounts from officers and sailors surface while officials debate blame and demand transparent inquiry. Cleanup and investigation efforts span the fleet and harbor facilities as tensions rise.
Reports from February 15 describe widespread facts as Navy officials prepare for further inquiry into the Havana incident. A board led by Sicard will conduct thorough investigations with expert divers to discover exact causes, while interment plans and orders of inquiry are under discussion.
Spain officially disclaims reflections in the De Lome letter and states the incident is closed. The note to Minister Woodford explains de Lome resigned and Spain did not share criticisms of the U S president, asserting the matter was resolved prior to Woodford's presentation.
Lieutenant General Weyler, arriving in Barcelona, links the Maine disaster in Havana harbor to the insolence of the U S crew. He plans to seek government approval to travel to Havana and run for the Havana district seat in the chamber of deputies.
Dispatch from Minister Woodford announced by Spanish foreign affairs that the queen regent signed a decree appointing Senor Polo de Bernabe as minister from Spain to the United States. The state department received the official communication confirming the appointment.
Miss Frances Willard longtime president of the World's W C T U dies in New York at the Hotel Empire after three weeks of illness. Dr Alfred K Hill notes long battle with synemia grippe and cancerous involvement. funeral services planned in New York and Evanston Illinois.
Maprin February 18 The government received a cable from Washington thanking Spain for the assistance provided by Spanish authorities at Havana after the disaster.
The house banking and currency committee finished its hearing. A subcommittee led by James T. McCleary of Minnesota with G. W. Price of Illinois and John Murray Mitchell of New York was appointed to draft the general currency legislation for the session.
After a two hour debate the senate voted 84 to 2 against confirming the sale of the Kansas Pacific division of the Union Pacific railroad. The Turpie resolution demanded full payment of original claims and interest to the United States before any confirmation.
A snow storm drove a large ice floe on the Gulf of Finland coast away from shore carrying 200 fishermen and several horses, with the drifting ice reported from Helsingfors.
The Maine catastrophe drives Congress toward large naval funding. Senate amendments would boost fortifications by about 4 million dollars and authorize two battleships instead of one, with possible approval of the dry dock scheme. The Navy Board recommendation of one battleship may be surpassed due to the loss of the Maine.
At Key West Florida February 18 survivors report two shocks on the Maine with the second blast destroying the vessel. Thomas Melville of Brooklyn on watch recalls the first milder shock and the second explosion. Diver Martin Riordan will travel from Havana to investigate the disaster as New York anchors offshore awaiting Washington orders.
Senator Carter introduces a bill for Alaska government with expanded governor powers and three new four year term courts. Court judges may appoint US commissioners with justice of the peace powers for cases up to 1009 dollars. Licenses for liquor sales may be addressed in related measures.
Washington February 18 The bankruptcy bill debate moved slowly in the House as attention centered on the Maine disaster. Speakers addressed only a handful of members with little public interest evident during the sessions.
Washington reports that only Spanish officers in Havana know how harbor torpedoes are protected. Torpedoes are fixed mines, activated by shore-sent electric currents, not kept afloat in peacetime. Hong Kong uses a similar constant readiness.
Frances Elizabeth Willard was born in Churchville New York on September 28 1859. She taught science at Northwestern University Evanston and led the woman’s college before joining and leading the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. She directed home protection work and edited the Chicago Evening Post after her brother’s death. She became president of the WCTU and led the International Council of Women and the World’s Christian Temperance Union.
Havana February 18 reports say divers have not begun any exploration of the wreck and Spanish circles hold the explosion occurred inside the Maine.
Madrid cabinet minister unnamed to AP says official dispatches agree the Maine loss was due to accident and regrets jingo element is attempting to capitalize on the catastrophe.
From Key West Florida February 18 the Associated Press reports that Maine officers and crew widely believe the explosion originated inside the vessel not from an external torpedo. Marines and petty officers lean toward a pre planted torpedo before Havana arrival, while divers may shed little light as the forward section lies in ruins and the main magazine held high explosives. No further Havana fleet news is yet received.
The Naval Court of Inquiry to investigate the disaster may not assemble in Havana until next Monday. Lieutenant Commander Marix, who left Washington Thursday, will not reach Key West until week’s end, leaving little time to prepare before sailing. Sessions may be held in Havana or aboard a ship or hotel as Admiral Sicard decides.
Madrid Heraldo reports Spanish troops in Cuba suffer greatly with more than 25000 sick and wounded. A wounded man starved for care threw himself overboard to end his agony while doctors hear cries to send them home. The piece laments leaving soldiers in Cuba during the rainy season.
Messages from foreign governments express regret over the Maine disaster. The Daily Chronicle reports Germany and France are replacing field guns with new quick fire guns at high cost, with secretive handling by both governments.
Manovan February 18 report states George Defender, among the Indians tied to the Spicer murder, has died of consumption.
The Daily Mail reports that a British loan to China is practically arranged on terms previously published. The report notes the arrangement reflects earlier published conditions and awaits formal completion.
The British battleship Victorious remains aground after running ashore outside the bar on February 14. No further details available on salvage efforts or condition.
Governor Tanner has asked Illinois legislature to authorize him to tender to the U.S. president the state’s moral and material support to prevent or punish any hostile invasion. The senate quickly adopted a joint resolution endorsing the action and the House unanimously concurred.
A vintage ad claims Royal Baking Powder guarantees strength and health, preventing adulteration common to cheap brands. The agency cited is Royal Baking Powder Co of New York, promoting purity and quality.
The interment of 27 Maine victims recovered from the disaster took place in Havana with flags at half mast and houses draped in mourning. The procession included municipal guards, fire brigade, aldermen, clergy, military officers, officials, grocers, and foreign representatives, led by General Parrado and U S Consul General Lee, as crowds showed deep respect.
Admiral Sicard telegraphed Secretary Long from Key West that Lieutenant Hood arriving from Havana says the Maine can never be used again. He notes the forward part is collapsed from the explosion and photographs of the wreck will be sent to the department.
The National Association of Democratic clubs will celebrate Jeffersons birthday on April 18 in Washington with a subscription dinner. William Jennings Bryan is slated as principal speaker, invited by President Chauncey F. Black. The organization prepares for a strong congressional campaign and expects wide state representation at the dinner.
The 82d annual convention of the Minnesota Editors and Publishers association opened at 11 o clock at the West hotel with the Press club as host. Colonel Haskell entertained from 4 to 6, followed by a West hotel banquet. Thomas W. Lowry served as toastmaster.
In Hammerly's Vereinigte Carolinenglueck colliery a fire damp explosion killed or fatally injured many miners. Fifty three bodies have been recovered and five men remain missing, with numerous others seriously hurt.
In Clinton Iowa on February 18 Theodore Bertoch was found guilty of second degree murder for poisoning Charles Selheusen, the former husband of his wife. The verdict follows his trial on the charges alleging intent to kill.
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