17 Feb 1898
Page 1
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Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Feb 17, 1898
Page
1
Reports deny government speculation as a court of inquiry forms to probe the Havana harbor explosion of the battleship Maine. Secretary Long and naval officers pursue divers and investigations while Congress shows cautious restraint. Public urgency grows for full details and accountability.
Reported from Mapu and Kay Waser on Feb 16 17 detailing the Maine disaster. The queen regent showed emotion as press and public lament the tragedy amid fears for American hospitality. cor respondent from Havana Harbor returns aboard the Olivette. divers allegedly find a percussion hole while Admiral Manterola orders Capt. Sigabee to provide depositions. More ships expected tonight.
Not confirmed at Washington. Feb 17 Key West bulletin about a hole in the Maine’s bottom was sent to the White House by AP and slowed the president. Officials, senators, and foreign ministers voiced concern, but no formal confirmation issued. warnings of danger and torpedo threats loom over Havana harbor.
Capt General Bianco wired Senor Du Bosc to convey the insular government of Cuba’s profound sorrow to the U S president for the catastrophe to the Maine and the loss of American lives. The Havana mayor and city authorities also sent resolutions expressing grief to the president.
Emperor William cables President McKinley expressing heartfelt sympathy for the loss of the male and the officers and men. The message arrives from Bamarx on February 17.
Regular AP correspondent Weatherford, stationed at Key West, wrote and sent the bulletin on torpedo evidence in the Maine case. He traveled to Havana recently and departed on the steamer Olivette yesterday, a Wednesday, leaving the falter city.
Key West reports Josu M. Mann of New York aboard the City of Washington describes the catastrophe with officers reticent and sailors speculating the explosion was caused by a torpedo planted before the Maine arrived. Naval men note buoy designations and possible shore access for a torpedo, with currents and tides enabling detonation from shore or a small boat.
A Washington dispatch cites Captain Sigsbee warning that no more battleships should be sent to Havana due to danger from hidden batteries and mines. The cipher message, allegedly delivered to Secretary Long and forwarded to Secretary Day, urges restraint amid fears of selective loss.
The Navy Department vehemently denies reports of a percussion hole in the Maine hull. Secretary Long says no such hole exists and no suppressed telegram from Captain Sigsbee supports an external cause. A dispatch from Admiral Biscard outlines the court of inquiry details for the Maine disaster.
A reliable AP correspondent from Key West cables that the Havana report of a torpedo hole in the Maine hull was sent just before the Olivette incident. The source is considered reliable but unverifiable due to strict Havana censorship.
AP correspondent questioned officers and crew aboard the Maine after the disaster. They universally agree the blast resulted from an interior cause, not a torpedo detonation, suggesting an internal accident.
In Wasernotor on February 17, experts discussed the Maine explosion theory. Captain Bradford noted the coal in the Maine’s bunkers, replenished from Key West, is unlikely to spont combust. He cited safeguards like daily magazine temperature checks and the possibility of a bunkering fire heating ammunition before detonation.
At Wasmimeros the navy department reported few facts but many theories. Admiral Sicard announced a court of loyalty and measures for wounded and dead. Officials said little action was possible until the ongoing investigation is completed. The board's authority to conduct a vast search was noted.
Senator Allen introduced a resolution directing the Senate committee on naval affairs to investigate the Maine explosion. The measure was laid over until tomorrow as a hush fell over the house and senate. London and Madrid dispatches dispute recent reports of Spanish officers leaving Berlin cards to provoke U S action. Wheat opened with volatile, panic buying in Chicago, May futures up from 1.05 to 1.06 as shorts scrambled to cover.
In Mapa on February 17 Premier Sagasta and Marine Minister Bermejo conferred about plans for the first class armored cruiser Vizcaya’s voyage to the United States. A cipher telegram reportedly influenced market activity prompting cautious trading as authorities prepared for potential contingencies.
In Cab. Feb. 17 Col Ed F Browne wired Gov Adame offering to furnish a dynamite battery of 100 mm shells in case of war with Spain. He notes the miners have long experience handling high explosives.
London observers react with renewed sympathy over the Maine tragedy. Diplomats including the Spanish ambassador visit the United States embassy and express regrets as details are published.
Twenty nine of the Maine's injured are housed at the military hospital of Seo Ambrosio near Havata. Many physicians attend. Six wounded including Joseph Kana Alfred Johnson Charles Bergwan Fox C Christiansen and Oscar Anderson expected to return to Key West today. Chas A Smith suffers a broken leg and burns and may die. Other victims are improving. Newspapers print editorials and sympathy, flags on public buildings are at half mast.
Waanrsetox Feb 17. Representative McClellan of New York introduced a joint resolution in the house proposing to appropriate 150000 dollars to care for the families of the Maine victims. The measure mirrors aid given to survivors of the Samoan hurricane years earlier.
Dernorr Feb 17 dispatch from Bay City Michigan reports Elmer Nell Strup a gawper on the Maine dated Feb 11 says the ship is surrounded by torpedoes and could not leave the harbor without Spanish authorities consent and direction.
At Key West a crowd of Maine disaster survivors and officers, led by Captain Sigsbee, contested claims of an internal explosion. Some sailors accuse a Spanish plot against Americans, while Havana reports quote Sigsbee urging a formal inquiry into exterior versus interior causes.
The eastern division of the Kansas Pacific road, 140 miles, was sold this morning at the Union Pacific depot in north Topeka. Alvin W. Krech, for the reorganization committee, secured the property for 4.8 million dollars as Judge Cornish presided. Tomorrow Salina hosts the sale of the middle division.
Stockholders of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway authorized a 100 million gold bond issue to refund debt and improve the property. Bonds will date January 1, 1896, run 90 years, interest not exceeding five percent per annum.
Kansas City market notes show receipts and prices for cattle hogs and sheep with mixed grains rates including wheat corn and oats. grain values listed for Kansas City and Chicago futures with January February quotes and regional variations across fat cattle hogs and lambs. Local weathered terms reflect a busy market with fluctuating early February activity and diverse stock categories across multiple regions.
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