Kansas City journal., 1898-03-04
NAVAL OFFICER MAKES An UN.
GUARDED ADMISSION.
SENATOR PROCTOR RETICENT
PLAIN. HOWEVER. THAT HE HAS
BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED.
Saw Frightful Suffering at Matnnzas
Spanish Board of Inquiry Plans
Not Made Public-Unlted
States Court Still Mt
Key West.

Havana. via Key West. Fla. March s.
A naval officer here to-day, in reply to a
suggestion that it was pity such an i'm
portant decision as the verdict of the court
of inquiry into the Maine eXplosian should
rest solely upon the testimony of divers,
who seemed men of only average intelli-
gence replied: THE court of inquiry has
not had to depend upon divers testimony
alone" Then. realizing that he had said
more than he intended the officer resumed
his habitual reserve.
1t is believed that the testimony of Lieu
tenant Commander Wainwright was highly
important as bearing on the question OF the
existence of submarine mines. The govern
ment has employed an expert photographer
now in Havana, who will send to the navy
department in Washington photographs Of
armor plates and different portions of the
wreck Immediately upon recovery from the
water.
II the Spanish court of inquiry under
Captain Peral has definite plan of action.
which seems doubtful. it has not been made
public. The Spanish divers will, of course.
report the result of their observations to
the Spanish court of inquiry, but when or
where has not been made known.
Senator Proctor has seen much in short
time and there is good authority for say
ing that he will make the results OF his
observations known in strong speech in
the senate on his return to Washington. At
Matanzas Miss Barton and Senator Proc
tor, under the guidance of United States
Consul Bryce and Mr.. Govas, the British
vice consul, saw extremes of suffering they
had never conceived possible. Four per-
sons died in one ward while the party were
there.
Senator Proctor was reticent on the sub
ject, but others of the party declared that
the whole east of the island was under
the control of General Maxmo Gomez. Sem
ator Proctor however, went so far as to
say to the correspondent of the Associated
Press:
Certainly peculiar state Of affairs ex-
lists. resident of Matanzas told me that
If / wished to correspond with General
Gomez, he would send my letter to him and
have an answer back in short time
The welcome to be extended to the off,
GERS of the vizcaya and of the Almirante
Oquendo, when the latter arrives here. will
consist of grand ball at the Casino, which
promises to be a brilliant affair.
The correspondent of La Discussion at
Matanzas says: Senator Parker" (possi-
bly, Senator Proctor or Colonel Parker. his
travelling companion) gave check for
$l,5C0 to the fund for the relief of the 1uf-
ferers of Matanzas and its vicinity"
The steamer Segueranca, which has Just
arrived here, brought additional supplies,
consigned to Consul General Lee. from
New York. for relief of the destitute.
The Spanish divers did not go down to-
day, but the American divers got some
fixed ammunition out of the forward part
of the wreck
General Blanco returned at the Hotel
lnglaterra. the recent call of Senator Proc
tor
Key West. Fla, March 3.-Judge Advo-
cate Mark was the only officer of the court
son remained on board the Iowa and Cap
tain Chadwick and Lieutenant Commander
Potter on the. New York. Even the stem
ographers took holiday.
Some hitch has occurred in the plans OF
the court. though 1t has been understood
that the members are awaiting orders from
Washington through Admiral Sicard.