The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 10, March 10, 1898 | Page 4

shows how uncertain
has been the information relative to the testimony before the board of
inquiry. As a matter of fact, on the day when this article is being
written we are very much in the dark as to what information the inquiry
is really developing. The secrecy maintained by the board is, of course,
very necessary, for at this time it is most important that, until the facts
in the case are absolutely established, our Government should do its
best to keep back any news tending to inflame public opinion. An
unconsidered and hasty step by our authorities in this matter might
plunge us into war. It will be time enough for us to think of war when
we know beyond a reasonable doubt that we have been injured by
Spain and that Spain refuses to make amends for the loss. Even if the
Maine was blown up by a mine, that does not by any means prove that
the Spanish Government was guilty of the dastardly act. If Spain does
what is right toward redeeming the loss, we will have no just cause for
a declaration of war, and our Government will without doubt use every
honorable means to avoid a conflict.
In connection with the Maine disaster there was no greater example of
heroism than that of the chaplain, the Rev. John P. Chidwick,--"Father
John," as the sailors call him.
From the first he has devoted himself night and day to his
work--spending part of his time with the poor fellows maimed and
dying in the hospital, making their hours of suffering brighter, and from
this work turning to that still more difficult task, the identification of
the dead. He was one of the last to leave the vicinity of the wreck that
terrible night. It was only after the last sailor had been picked up that he
went ashore, and only then because he could be of assistance to the
poor fellows who were suffering. Greater heroism is required to face
such scenes of suffering and death as he had to face, than is necessary
to storm a fortress in time of battle. His name will never be forgotten.

Captain Sigsbee, too, has shown a wonderful amount of self-command
in this time of great trial. Cool and deliberate at the moment of the
disaster, he gave his orders with absolute self-possession, doing the
very best that could be done to save his ship and men. The magazines
were flooded to prevent further damage, and every available step was
taken with as much judgment as if he had had the same terrible
experience many times before. His first reports were worded with the
greatest care, for had he let slip one ill-advised remark it might have
plunged this country at once into the horrors of war. You will
remember his despatch, and how he advised the country to await facts
before forming a judgment. This despatch did more than anything else
toward making the proper investigation possible, and the final action
will in consequence be based upon facts carefully ascertained and
deliberately considered.
The latest news with regard to the movements of the board of inquiry is
that it went to Key West for a few days only, and with the intention of
returning to Havana for further sittings.
* * * * *
On February 23d, Secretary of War Long completed arrangements with
the Merritt and Chapman Wrecking Company, of New York city, and
with the Boston Towboat Company, to undertake to raise the Maine. It
was agreed that they were to be paid $1,371 a day for their work, $871
a day for the use of their regular appliances, and $500 a day in addition
for the use of the great floating derrick Monarch. On the delivery in
New York of the hull of the wrecked vessel, $100,000 will be paid. It is,
however, provided in the contract that the total cost of the work shall
not exceed $200,000.
The question as to the amount of the indemnity to be paid for the
destruction of the Maine, in case Spain is held liable for the disaster,
has occasioned considerable comment in the press. It has been asserted
that the Government should demand at least $10,000,000, and even so
large an amount as $30,000,000 has by some been suggested as the
proper sum to be asked. The ship itself cost about $3,000,000, and the
fittings several millions more. The indemnity should, of course, cover

not only the material loss of the vessel, but the loss of life and the
injury done to our Government.
* * * * *
The divers at work on the wreck of the Maine have been steadily
hampered by the difficult situation of the vessel. In the first place, the
hull is sinking