The Portland daily press., 1898-02-25

nsnd of lose Amador, which arrived this
morning by the steamer MonteVloeo
1rom Barcelona.
GEN. Doian, the second chief of staff.
today returned on board the Mangrove tbs
visit of the court Of inquiry acting as the
representative of the government. al
niral Manterola personally returned the
visit paid to him by the court. Inc
Thursday receptions of Gen. Bianco were
resumed this morning.
The insurgents have Ialded the SInlUh
md Fischer plantation on the Canamabo,
In the Trinidad district, and killed one
and wounded five of the defenders, who
numbered only seven. They burned all
Ehe buildings but the dwelling of Mr.
smith and according to the spanish ao-
9troyed $500, 600 worth of provisions and
merchandise and got $4,000 in cash.
II. 6. Consul Walter Barker at Sangus
W Grande. is reported i'll. 1t is said that
he isgthreatened with pneumonia.
The session OF the court OF inquiry
this afternoon was devoted to taking the
testimony of two civilians, Americans
who saw the explosion from the steam
shin City of Washington, and of two
divers who have been at work on the
wreck for several days. Although it is
probable that the Mangrove will
leave for Key West tomorrow,
CAPTAIN Sampson is not certain.
All depends on whether tho court I'm
ishes the work possible here. 1t is be-
iievea the court will return to Havana
after hearing the Key West witnesses but
no official confirmation of this report can
be obtained.
ACCIDENT THEORY .UNTENABLE.
Washington, February 24.-The Even
ing Star has received the following cable
gram from Mr.. Charles III. Pepper us
STAFF correspondent in Cuba
Havana, via Key West, Februay 24.-At
the time of writing divers are developing
important results. From examination OF
tine interior of the wreckage they nave
secured evidence which seems conclusive
that the explosion came from beneatn tne
ship.
have exploded. The Names 10-inch mag
azine did not explode.
80 The conditi IN of the interior OF the
ship shows further probability OF tne
wreck having been due to outside force
The further the investigation progresses
the more untenable Becomes the theory
which the Spanish government adducea
to show accidental cause.
1t is evident the Spanish case will be
based on the claim that fire proceeded
Gle explosion.
Captain Sampson and his colleagues OF
the naval board may havA outside evil
~-S~'
producing explosion.
Said one diver, who had been engaged
in getting bodies cut from under the
hatch. "God may be merciful to men who
blew those poor fellows to eternity. The
United States should not.
This was before the order prohibiting
officers from talking This diver evident
ly thought the explosion was not an accl-
dent. He had an experts capacity and
opportunity for Judgment.
The Havana public is not permitted to
know the intensity of public sentiment
in the United States. Only meagre de-
tails are permitted to be known OF what
happens in Washington.
Congress is watched with excessive
anxiety by palace officials but the popu-
lace know nothing of what is liable to
happen. a.
can people and exultation over the Maine
disaster do not lessen.
ANCIENT UNDERGROUND PAS.
SAGE.
Havana, February a. via Key West. =
In connection with the claim made by
the Cubans that there are mine galleries
under the harbor Of Havana, leading from
subterranean passages and known tt
have existed for years between Fort
Cabanas, Moro Castle and this port the
Spaniards explain that for over century
a subterranean passage OF about two
miles long and eight feet at it's narrowest
diameter, capable of giving passage to g
column of troops, has existed from the
navy ward to Castillo del Principe, but
the Spaniards further assert that the ex
isteuce OF this passage was not known tc
the present authorities or to those who
have beer in power for many years past.
The entrances. and exits, it is added
have been closed for years by thick walls
n
location is said to be lost. At the same
time it Is admitted that records regarding
the subterranean passage can be found in
old documents contained in the rarchtve!
of Havana.
Finally the Spaniards insist that this
passage does not go under the harbor al
any point.
Under the surface here, there seems tt
be a deep feeling of unrest. No one be
iieves that autonomy Is or can be any
thing but name and there is q still
more rooted belief that the United State:
will not suffer the present condition O.
things to continue much longer.
NOTHING "OFFICIAL" LEARNED.
Washington, February 24.-Later re
ports from Havana have not changed il
any degree the views of the high official
OF the government as to the probable eau
of disaster to the Maine.
It can be stated on the highest authori-
ty that absolutely nothing of a disquiet
ing nature has been received at the Whit
House nor is important news Of any char
aoter expected until the board OF inquiry
has completed its investigation and sub
mitted its report.
1t can also be stated on authority not tt
be questioned that the public has beer
wholly informed upon all matters con
nected with the disaster to the Main
which have come to the knowledge of th
overnment
Nothing mas been withheld of the leas
= public interest and this policy Will b.
continued until the problem has beef
solved and the whole truth brought tt
light.
has not received any information from
official sources tending5to show with an.
degree of certainty that the explosion
YVES the work of enemies.
HIT HAS NOTHING TO SAY.
Washington, February 24.-Chairmal
Hit of the foreign affairs committee, VIII
has been confined to his home by bal
cold, was in his place at the House toda
fho 6rc+ 4i,na in, week He declined