Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-25
WORK OF THE DIVERS.
They Think the Explosion Was Not
IN Accident.


WASHINGTON, d. c., February "a
The Evening Star has received the fo1-
lowing cablegram from Charles NJ. Pep
per, its STAFF correspondent. in Cuba:
"Habana, February %, via Key West,
Fla. February 24.-At this writing. divers
are developing important results from ex-
animation of the interior wreckage. They
have secured evidence which seems con-
elusive that the explosion came from
underneath the ship. Some Of the smaller
magazines may have exploded. The main
lO-inch magazine did not explode. The
condition of the interior of the ship shows
further probability of the wrecks having
been due TO outside force.
"The further the investigation pro-
crosses. the more untenable becomes the
theory which the Spanish Government ad-
duced to show accidental cause. 1t is
evident the Spanish claim will be based
on the claim that a fire preceded the
explosion.
Captain Sampson and his colleagues
of the Naval Board may have outside
evidence offered, regarding a torpedo
floats producing the explosion.
said one diver who had been engaged
In the work of getting bodies out from
under the hatch God may be merciful
to the men who blew those poor fellows
to eternity The United States should
not The orders prohibit officers from
talking. This diver evidently thought the
explosion was not an accident. lie had
an experts capacity and opportunity for
judging
"The Habana public is not permitted to
know the intensity of feeling In the
Tt..f. frs
are permitted to be known of what hap
mems i'm Washington. Congress Is
watched with excessive anxiety by the
palace officials, but the population knows
nothing of what is liable to happen.
"Evidences of nl-feeling toward Ameri-
can people and exultation over the Maine
disaster do not lessen. The Maine m
ouirv dwarfs interest in Cuban politics,
but recent developments carry ofhcial
confession of the failure Of autonomy
(Signed) FlI En-
RAISING OF THE MAINE.
In view Of the many expressions OF
doubt concerning the possibility Of raising
the wreck Of the Maine, the mes
sage sent yesterday TO the Navy De-
partment by Admiral Sicard may nave
some weight.
The Admiral reported that the court OF
inquiry. which is on the spot, ana mas
had the advantage of the opinions on
divers. had declared that the most power
ful appliances would be necessary TO re-
move the wreck or raise the ship Ihe
last exnression is .aken TO mean mat
the court has so far not concluded thaI
II would be impossible 10 again hoat the
Maine: else the language would nave
peen unnecessary
II can be stated that up TO this time
the naval officials have given no tnougnl
10 the relief OF Admiral Sicard, as com
mander-in-chief of the naval forces on
the North Atlantic station. They DO not
nclieve that the Admlrals health Is 20
seriously impaired, and It Is safe 10 say
ina, no movement will be made towards
his relief. unless a suggestion comes
nrst from himself. .,
Nothing has been heard from 6eherai
Lee al Habana since day before yester-
dav IN the shape OF a cablegram' ana as
the consul-General has been prompt mere
,orore in Informing the State Department
Of any developments OF slsnincahce' ~
supposed that there have been none sin0o
General Lees last report
BLANcO'S CONDoLENCE
In the mail received from him TINS az.
ternoon was a copy Of the message or
received by him from Capta'"-
General Blanco. in the following terms:
"Mr Consul: IL becomes my paihtui
a,,,,, 20 exnress 10 you my profound
sorrow for the misfortune whicn ocouit,u
yesterday on board the American sa'p