The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-03-24
SAY RESULT .ISKNOWN.
Alleged Abstract of Finding Of
Court Of Inquiry.
1t Declares Maine Explosion WAS Due
to External Causes - Responsi-
bility Not Eixed-Plans Of
President Mckinley.

= 10 EAternaA causes 49, RespOnsA:
bility Not Eixed-Plans OF
President Mckinley.
Y New York, March 21.-The Herald,
has the following special from Tampa,
Fla: Capt. A. S. Barker, United States
navy, started for Washington on the
seven o'clock train Sunday night. He
bears the court ofinquiry finding in the
Maine disaster, and travels as plain Mr..
Barker. While on the Olivette coming
over he deposited cipher documents in
the safe. Mr.. Palmer, a volunteer Off
Ger in the navy, also goes to Washing
ton with important documents. These
were also deposited in the safe of the.
Olivette on the way over. -
q An Alleged Abstract. s."
Chicago, March 21.-The Tribune's
Key West special says: The report of
the court of inquiry was sent to Wash
ington last night, signed by Capt Samp-
son, president, and Capt. Chadwick and
Lieut.. Commander Potter. Judge Ad-
vocate Mark signed only the proceed
ings of the court. He came to Key West
from the battleship Iowa on Saturday
afternoon, submitted the conclusions
OF the court to Admiral Sicard, and re-
turned to the Iowa at once. Capt. Bar
ker then went to the Iowa and was
given the report. He is now en- route
for Washington. The report contains
the following conclusions:
f First-That the explosion that DESTROYED
the Maine was from the exterior, on the
port side, leaving the ram almost in it's
original position, driving the bow and for
ward structure to starboard, the after
part of the ship swinging slightly to star
board and then sinking.
second-That the first explosion was fol-
lowed by second in the interior of the
ship as result Of the exterior blow.
Third-That the second explosion was in
the reserve magazine, which destroyed the
superstructure Of the ship.
Fourth-That the big magazine forward
did not explode, this being demonstrated
beyond doubt.
Fifth-That the exterior explosion prob
ably came from a torpedo, evidence that
mine might have caused the disaster
being produced but not being sufficient to
convince the court.
Sixth-That the impact came under the
hull of the Maine on the port side, blowing
one of the bilge plates to the surface, where
it is still in sight.
Seventh-That the ship is broken in two
and probably cannot be raised.
Eighth-That the forward turret was
hurled far starboard. it's top being intact.
Ninth-That thee solitary plate showing
above the water Is from the bottom port
side.
Tenth-That the bow of the Maine now
points nearly east. while the rest of the
ship lies along a line nearly at right
angles.
Eleventh-That the ram Of the Maine lies
off to port Of where the bow lies, nearly
on a line parallel to the body of the Ship
TWelfth-That no evidence was adduced
duplicating the Spanish government or Of
ficials in the knowledge of or prepare tion
for the destruction of the ship.
1t needs but a few words to explain
that the Maine was destroyed by forces
outside of itself, the destruction be-
ing aided by an explosion in the interior
of the ship, resulting from the initial
blow.
President McKinley's Plans.
New York, March 21.-The Herald's
Washington special says: Having posi-
tive knowledge that the report of the
naval court of inquiry involving the
cause of the Maine disaster will show
l..dt lAC Vessel was uCSIA oyOu NY ILL
ternal agency, President Mckinley is
now formulating note of representa-
ton to Spain and a message to congress.
The president intends to take congress
into his entire confidence, and to SUBJ
NIT the full text of the report, together
with the findings and with statement
setting forth that he has made vigorous
diplomatic representations to Spain.
1t is also intended to send all the Gu
ban correspondence to congress at an
early date.
President Mckinley realizes that the
publication of the report is likely to
create profound sensation in con-
gress, even though the court is unable
to connect the Spanish government
with the crime. But he has not aban-
dcned his purpose of treating the ques-
ton automatically. He appreciates
that congress and the country have a
right to all the information in his pos
session, and he intends to transmit the
report and findings to congress at once.
spntn's Investigation Fails.
Havana, March Fl, via Key West,
Fla. 1.-THE Spanish inquiry into the
Maine disaster has gone to pieces in
seeking to establish the accident the
ory. This admission is privately made
in government circles. The nature of
the boards report will not be changed.
The explosion will be charged to I'M
known causes, but the Spanish finding
will be with view of making a case to
be passed on by a third party. The
work of the divers has not been thor
ough, yet apparently they have found
so little evidence ON which theory Of
internal explosion can be based that the
Spanish court is not willing to stand
unequivocalIy on the theory of accident,
which it set out to maintain. These
facts have been known for three or four
days. They may account for state
ments from Madrid that the Maine in
ci6ent will not be cause of war be-
tween the two countries, and also for
hints at arbitrating the disputed ques-
ton of fact.
The cue received from Madrid is to
have counter case ready, so that sus-
pension of the worlds Judgment can be
asked until diplomacy can arrange a
satisfactory settlement.
@.@a Navigation Opens.
Detroit, Mich, March 2l.-Navigation
has begun on Lake St. Clair and De-
troit rivers. Sunday the ferry steamer
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