The Monte Vista journal., 1898-02-26
sEo,NM,no TO ,nvssr,oArE.
DserA ef lss.lry BEACHES Hav..a-Dsvsss
Are Busy.

DseFA ef IoSalFy Rsachss WavsnA-Devsss
Are Busy.
Havana, Feb. 22.-The board Of In.
Quiry Into the Maine disaster met on
the lighthouse tender Mangrove at 10
O'Clock this morning with Captains
Sampson and Chadwick and Lieuten.
ant Commanders Potter and Mark
present. Captain Sampson presided
and Lieutenant Commander Mark, re-
Gently executive officer Of the Maine
acted MS recorder.
Captain Sigsbee, the commander OF
the Maine, was the first witness called
He wns under examination until
O'Clock this afternoon, at which hour
ne adjournment was taken. 1t In prob
able that no further witnesses will be
heard to-day, but the board will make
careful personal examination Of the
wreck. near which the MangrOve Il
| anchored.
Captain Sampson received the AssO
cinted I'ress correspondent immediate
ly after the morning session Of the
board. He said, in the course Of the
interview:
II would be glad to give the AssO
ciated Press news, but owing to the
delicate situation. the board has de
cided to make nothing whatever pub
lie. do not know what testimony may
develop. or when. and II IL only fair
to the Spanish government not to tell
the public the Testimony until all has
been received and the findings have
been considered"
Gunner Charles Morgan OF the cruis
cr New York arrived on the Mangrove
ana Is In Immediate charge Of the div
ers. The latter have been at work all
day. but up to the time OF sending this
dispatch no discoveries Of importance
have been made. II is believed tllnt
the salvage by the wrccking company
will be considerable and valuable.
To-day ninety-tive officers and so
sick soldiers started on their return to
Spain.
General Lee says the Spanish Off
cinls are not interfering with the in,
vestigntion into the causes Of the dis
aster. lie has notified the captain OF
the port that the wrecking tug Right
Arm Will be here tomorrow from the
Merritt and Chapman Dry Dock and
Wrecking Company. No objection will
he made to the presence OF the tug or
prospective work. She probably will
make nm early attempt TO save the biz
guns and IL possible the more valuable
parts OF the Maine's machinery.
Tomorrow morning Consul General
Lee will escort the officers OF the cour,
of inquiry to pay visits OF ceremony to
the captain general and Admiral Man.
terola.
To-day the divers found n copper
cylinder used In conveying charges to
the six-lnch guns. The fact that II had
exploded seems to show that there
was nn explosion In the magazine for
fixed ammunition on the port side for.
ward.
All the wounded men except two are
doing well. Paul Foftus and one other
Will be taken to Key West Wednesday y
by the Bacle.
This afternoon the court OF inquiry
personally inspected the Maine. by
their invitation Captain Pernl. nppoiut-
ed by the Spanish government ns n
special Judge to investigate the disas-
ter. and his secretary, viewed the div
ers nj work. Captain Peral expressed
his appreciation OF the courtesies
shown TO him by the court Of inquiry
\ number Of bodies were discovered
to-day In the forward hatch. II was
not possible to remove them. but they
probably will be removed tomorrow.