The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-02
NAVAL EXPERTS CALLED IN
To Direct the Divers and to Advise
the Inquiry Court.

Washington, March 1.-Two weeks ago
tonight the battleship Maine was de-
stroyed in Havana harbor and in spite
Of the greatest diligence on the part of
the officers charged with an inquiry into
the affair the cause of the disaster is still
in mystery so far as any officials in Wash
ington know. Few officials acquainted
with the formidable obstacles in the way
Of the operations of the divers are sur
prised at this state of affairs and it is be-
ginning to be generally realized that upon
the testimony Of the divers almost alto
gether will depend the success Of the in
quiry.
Meanwhile the officials of the navy de-
partment have reached the conclusion
that harm is being done by the broaching
of theories to account for the explosion
so notice has been served upon the ex-
perts who have been heard from in the
press that it is preferred that they shall
no longer discuss this matter in advance
of the report of the court of inquiry. One
reason for this action was the fact that
the department was finding itself commit
tead involuntarily to the support of the
theory that the explosion was Of internal
origin, while as a matter of fact both
Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt have been at great pains 10
show that the department stood entirely
neutral, as between the theorists, and
We're prepared to accept only the concIu-
sions of the court of inquiry as binding
upon it. In consequence of this decision
there is loss of disposition manifested
among the naval officers to talk about the
Maine affair in any phase.
EXPERTS CALLED IN.
An indication that the court Of inquiry
is either far from reaching any conclu-
sions, or else is disposed, with a view TO
meeting future criticism, to collect III
possible evidence whether it be deemed
essential or not, is the call to their as
sistance of experts. 1t has already been
a matter of comment that with all the
ability comprised in this court of inquiry
IL has one weak spot, namely. the lack Of
practical experience Of the construction
of ship in its members. This is no part
OF the duty of a line officer, so that no
reflection is carried by the statement. To
remedy their shortcomings. the court has
called upon the department to send to
their aid a constructor and carpenter
and in compliance with the request Sec
rotary Long has directed naval Con-
structor Hoover, and Carpenter Helm 20
report TO the court at Key West. 1t is
expected that they will 20 TO Havana
when the court returns there and from
their familiarity with the structure OF the
Maine on which both Of these men worked
when she was built in the New York navy
YARD they viii be of great assistance not
only in suggesting easy methods of work
for the divers. but also in identifying por-
lions Of the wreck. The latter consid-
GRAFTON is one Of the greatest Importance
in view of the statements that have come
from Havana TO the effect that some Of
the ships bottom plates have been found
in the debris above water. i Is said at the
department that II this IS true. the fact
viii be Of Importance, but, II Is added it
would not he necessarily conclusive evil
dence as - the source Of the explosion,
for it is conceivable that as the deck was
blown up it might easily have pulled up
with it some of the frames and bottom
plating which are rigidly attached by
riVers.
Without doubt the two experts Will b
much better qualified than the line officers
or divers TO identify any such piece Of
plate
No ORDERS To THE FLEET.
NJ orders went ont from the depart
ment 70 the vessels Of the squadron today
and the officials stamp rs without founda-
ton the report rhat the squadron was
YESTERDAY 10 be held in readiness TO ssa