Evening star., 1898-03-19


officially for fear that war would be de-
clared instantaneously and without due re-
gard to all the conditions The senator.
however, reiterated his belief, which was
the result of his conferences with the ex-
ecutive officials, that the report and the
testimony also, whatever their purport,
would be sent to Congress Just soon as
this could be done in the interest Of the
public service. He also asserted his con-
viction that the Navy Department and the
President were as yet ignorant Of the con-
tents of the boards findings.
Maine Survivors Report.
1t was reported this morning that Lieut..
Blow, who was with the fleet at Key West
was expected in Washington today with
the report of the board of inquiry. The
accuracy of this report, however, was
somewhat discredited by an assumption
that it's author knew the character of the
verdict, and that 1t was entirely different
from that universally anticipated.
This report was again renewed and much
credence given ii when, to the surprise of
the department, Lieut.. Blow called on Sec
retary Long jnst before noon. At once the
report, which had not had wide circulation
at first, was spread broadcast. Lieut.. Blow
came, not alone, but in company with
Lieut.. g. F. w. Holman, navigator of the
Maine, and Lieut.. A. B. Catlin. in COM
mand of the marines on the Maine, and
Boatswain Larkin, one of the non-com-
missioned officers of the wrecked battle
ship.
These men had passed through the fear
ful ordeal Of the explosion and had been
at Havana since it occurred. There had
been. no announcement Of their being de-
RI
at Havana, and their coming was a COM
plete surprise except to a few officials.
With them came Naval Constructor Hoo
yer, who was sent by Secretary Long from
Washington few weeks ago to make a
technical inspection of the wreck of the
Maine. He was the naval constructor who
for months was engaged in actual work on
the Maine while she was on the stocks, so
that he is in a position to know every
plate and piece of CONSTITUTIONAL steel re-
naming of the Inflated ship. The divers
had found great difficulty in identifying
some of the twisted and battered plates
from the bottom of the Maine, and it was
believed that Constructor Hoover's techni-
cal knowledge would be able to make this
identification complete.
They were not expected at the depart
ment and their appearance naturally
Caused considerable excitement. They had
a long talk with the Secretary and later
called on the President. 1t was positively
denied, however, that any of these officers
disclosed any information as to the verdic.
or report of the board of inquiry. If Lieut..
Blow is bearer Of the report that fact is
carefully concealed and apparently without
motive, since the opinion Is freely express
ed at the department that the report will
arrive by Monday.
Narration to Secretary Long.
The conference between Lieutenan.s Blow
and Cat.in and Secretary Long lasted for
some time Captain Crowninshield of the
bureau of navigation and other officials
being called in. 1t was stated authorita-
lively after the conference that the main
subject of discussion was the explosion it.
self. tho detailed narrative of the several
officers. and the narrowing descriptions
Which these eye witnesses were able to
give to Mr.. Long. Whether the cause of
the explosion was under discussion could
not be learned. 1t was naturally inferred
that these officers, with their complete per-
scnal information Of the explosion, and
their subsequent visits to the wreck would
give Secretary Long the benefit Of their
personal views on the cause Of the sdis-
aster. At the same time, with the court of
inquiry having complete jurisdiction of this
subject, 1t was felt that the question Of
carse might be open to much reserve even
as between these naval officers and the
Secretary Of the Navy. So far as official
warrant was given to the purposes of the
&C Inference, 1t was said to be confined
strictly to the narratives of the officers of
the story of the wreck.
Mr. Hoover refused absolutely to talk
about his trip to Havana or to give any
information concerning the work of the
court OF inquiry or the condition Of affairs
In Cuba. He said that his lips were sealed
by the conditions imposed upon him and
that ne did not feel free to discuss any
phase OF the Cuban question or the Maine
incident. He will leave tonight or tomor-
row for New York.
Number Of Conferences.
The Navy Department was a center Of
activity throughout the morning. and be-
sides receiving the Maine survivors secre-
tary Long conferred with members Of the
Serate and House naval committees and
with number of ship owners No further
purchases of ships were made today. al
though a number of them are being looked
over. Lieutenant Commander Colwell has
cabled from England that the United
States flag was hoisted to the peak of the
Amazonas with due ceremony yesterday.
The press reports have given the details
OF this ceremony, but Commander Colwelps
official report Of the fact has the effect of
making the Amazonas an actual part Of
the United States navy. She is duly enroll
ed among the other cruisers, and from this
time forward win be subject to the usual
orders from the department.
The trim yacht Mayfiower, which the
government purchased of Mr. Goelet of
New York, has been sent to the New York
navy yard to receive 7-8 belt of armor.
This. with the guns to be mounted on her.
win make her one Of the most effective
small craft OF the navy. The special board
sitting In New York to inspect merchant
ships suitable for auxiliary ships has re-
ported the result Of its Inspection on
number Of vessels. Thus far, however, the
authorities here have not taken further
action as to securing these ships, as the
inspection Is mainly to afford full informa-
tion in case merchant ships are called into
service later.