The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-01
DRAWING TO 4 CLOSE.
THE COURT CONCLUDE THEIR
WORK AT HAVANA.

servatism while Making War Prepara-
tions-ConsuI General Lees Life Threat.
ened-A Spanish Crank Calls on Minister
Woodford
Washington, February 26.-In the
abs nee of news from Havana on any
subject other than the disposition of
dead bodies, the official mind turned
today TO an analysis Of the Spanish
statements. made, with more or less de-
gree Of official sanction, respecting the
total absence Of submarine mines from
Havana harbOr, and it was regarded
by the navy department as negativing
the mine theory Of an external cause
for the explosion, just as recent letters
put an end to an exploding boiler
theory as an internal cause for the
disaster
Nothing was heard today from the
court Of inquiry and the department
is still ignorant Of it's plans. In fact,
the only news coming direct from Ha-
vana to the navy department during
the day was contained in the follow
ing dispatch from Captain Sigsbae:
Havana, February 26
II have succeeded in making ar
rangemcnts by which bodies may be
sent to Key West in hermiticany seal
cd zinc cases. Refer to Forsyth for
burial in Key West. 1t is probable
that bodies hereafter recovered can
burial at Kew West. 1t is probable
the bodies will not remain intact. The
condition of the bodies requires i'm
mediate action. Jenkins and Merritt
may be recognized by their uniform.
! cam secure health permit at Key
West to land the bodies there. Divers
cannot get down aft after the bodies
this morning. there is so much debris
They viii clear it away. Wainwright
is placed in charge Of Wrecking mat
tcrs.
(sirneD "sIGsBEE."
The following was sent:
Washington, February 26
"S%sbee, Havana:
"Rcferring to your telegram of this
date, send bodies that may hereafter
he recovered to Key West for burial.
Send by BaChe. LONG"
To Kew West a dispatch was for
Warded as follows:
Washington, February &C.
Naval Station, Key West:
'Sigsbee is ordered to send bodies
that may hereafter be recovered to
INty west lbl TEN )OIdIy DuIIdl Hcy
will arrive in hermetically sealed zinc
cases Make necessary arrangements.
The bodies will arrive by BaChe.
CSignedD LONG"
1t is believed at the department that
there are probably in the neighborhood
of fifty bodies remaining to be discover
ed and extricated from the wreck.
THE TERROR SAILS FOR NEW
YORK.
The dOuble-turreted monitor Terror
started for New York this evening from
Hampton Roads under orders issued
today. She will be a most powerful
reinforcement to the defenCes of the
commercial metropolis in case of need
and. stationed in the narrOws, it would
be difficult for any hostile ship to pass
her. With the exception of the train
ing ship Essex, which arrived at
Hampton Roads today, and the Brook
lyu. which arrived at st. Lucia, prob
ably to coal ON her way to Laguayra,
distant 500 miles, this was the only ma
val movement today.
DISPATCHING GUNS TO NEW
YORK
There were a number of alarming
stories as to the heavy shipments of
ordnance from the Washington navy
yard to New York for the arming of the
duNllltiy IdN Y. II IL SdlI lIlC ht-
partment that. SO far, none of these
small guns have been shipped today,
but that q few for the Chicago prob
ably fourteen 5-inCh rapid-tire guns,
win be dispatched Monday of Tuesday.
With these guns in place the Chicago
would lie pretty well mOdernized in
the matter of armament. She will carry
still her four big S-inch guns in spon
ons on the spar deck while on the gun
Il = r1nb roniI I-fir
guns viii replace eight 6-inch guns Of
old pattern. The Dolphin is to go into
commission in New York on the oath of
March Although rated as the preSi
dents yacht. the vessel. which has
been thoroughly OVerhauled and furnish
ell with new boilers and decks, car
rieS even now a sufficient battery to
make her. when speed is taken into ac-
count. very effective gunboat.
THE FORTHCOMING REPORT OF
THE COURT.
With the proceedings Of the court of
inquiry drawing to a close, attention
is now being directed TO the form and
nature of this report. The court had
the widest latitude for inquiry and
Vet certain general features would have
TO be observed under the navy regula-
tiOns governing inquiries of this char
3Cltr. III IOlln the report W III bS III
TWO parts. first. the findings of fact
and. second, the opinion Of the court.
The findings take up each material
dues ton of fact involved and give the
conclusion of the court upon 1t. The
opinion state what should be done
under each finding OF fact. This opin-
ION relates to the usual cases in which
officers are on trial, but in the present
case it would not, of course, extend
to opinions on the government policy
applicable to the findings of acts. The
circumstances Of the present case are
so unusual, involving the relations or
TWO governments, that the report may
q)e confined to findings of fact, without
the usual opinion of the court.
COURSE OF THE COURTS REPORT
When the inquiry is concluded. the
report. accOpaned by all the evidence
and exhibits, must be authenticated by
CAPTAIN Sampson and Judge-Advocate
Mark IT will then be forwarded to
Admiral Sicard. the regulations reQuir-
ing that it be submitted for the con-
of the officer converting the