New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-22
MAINE INQUIRY BEGUN.
THE NAVAL COURT AT HAVANA.
IN SESSION ON THE LIGHTHOUSE TEN
DER MANGROvE. NEAR THE WRECK.
CAPTAIN sIGsBEE THE FIRST wTTNEss-THH
NAMES COMMANDER EXAMINED FOR
THREE HoURs-sPANIsH OFFICERS ON
BOARD THE TENDER IN CONFER
ENcE THE PROCEEDINGS

BOARD THE TENDER IN CONFER
ENcE THE PROCEEDINGS
NOT MADE PUBLIC
Havana Feb. 21-The United States light
house tender Mangrove arrived here this morn
ing. having on board the officers composing the
Court Of Inquiry appointed by Rear-Admiral
scard to inquire into the loss Of the battle-ship
Maine.
The commander OF the Fern sent boat for
Captain Pera and his secretary Lieutenant
Salas. OF the Spanish Navy. who are TO take part
In the Spanish investigation into the disaster.
Tney were taken on board the Mangrove. and
at | p. m. were still comforting with the Ameri-
can officers.
THE INQUIRY BEGINS PROMPTLY
The Court Of Inquiry met on the Mangrove at
10 o'clock this morning, with Captains Sampson
and Chadwick and Lieutenant C Commanders
Potter and Mark present Captain Sampson
presided, and Lieutenant Commander Mark. re-
Gently executive officer Of the Maine, acted az
recorder.
Captain sigsbee. the commander OF the Maine.
the first witness called. He was under ex-
animation until o'clock this afternoon. at
which hour an adjournment was taken. 1t 10
probable that further witnesses will be heard
to-day but the Board will make a careful per-
sona examination of the wreck, near which the
Mangrove Is anchored.
Captain Sampson received the Associated
Press correspondent Immediately after the
morning session of the Board. He said. in the
course Of the interview:
II would be glad to give the Associated Press
news. but. owing to the delicate situation. the
Board has decided to make nothing whatever
public. l do not know what testimony may de-
velop or when, and II Is only fair to the Spanish
Government not to tell the public the testimony
until all has been received and the findings have
been considered
You may say that this rule is absolute Due
will be taken for the rigid enforcement oft.
and all stories purporting to come from the court
should be set down false. have no Idea
TO how long the court will remain here No enc
Is authorized to fix tho time. the members
themselves do not Lnow. / will give the Asso-
ciated Press such routine news Of the proceed
ings as is proper"
WAS ABLE TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS.
Captain Sigsbee, on board the Mangrove. told
the correspondent that he was quite pleased
with the examination and that he was able to
answer all the questions asked, not only as to
his own acts, but as to those OF his subordinates
on the Maine.
He gave the correspondent watch to take
ashore for repairs. The watch found to-
day in a private drawer in the captains cabin.
The second hand missing. and part Of the
hour hand was gonAr but the watch showed
4:22 o'clocl
Consul-General Lee says the Spanish officials
are not interfering with the investigation into
the causes OF the disaster He has given notice
to the Captain Of the Port that the wrecking
tug Right Arm will be here tomorrow from the
Merritt G. Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Com
pany No objection will be made to the pres
ence OF the tug her prospective work. She
will probably make an early attempt to save the
big guns and. II possible, the more valuable
parts Of the Names machinery.
Tomorrow morning Consul-General Lee will
escort the officers of the Court Of Inquiry to
pay visits of ceremony TO the Captain General
and Admiral Manterola.
To-day the divers found a copper cylinder
used In conveying charges 10 the six-inch guns.
The fact that 1t had exploded TO show
that there explosion In the magazine
for fixed ammunition the port side forward.
All the wounded men except two doing
well Paul LOTUS and one other will be taken
TO Key West Wednesday by the Bache
This afternoon the Court Of Inquiry PERSONAL
ly inspected the wreck Of the Maine BY their
invitation Captain Perai, appointed by the Span
ish Government a special Judge TO investi-
gate the disaster. and his secretary, viewed the
divers at work. Captain Peral expressed his
appreciation Of the courteses shown him by the
Court Of Inquiry.
A number OF bodies were discovered to-day
In the forward hatch. 1t not possible to
remove them Immediately but they will prob
ably be removed tomorrow.