The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-25
FURTHER EVIDENCE
Continued from first page.)

Srl oTpHdneu by the disaster to the
Maine. The girls name is Lalla Cook.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt wrote am
Acknowledgement of the receipt of the
money to the editor of The Bridgerort
Evening Post, and said:
Through you l want to thank little
Ialla Cook for her gift and to saw
that it shall be used just as she de-
6ires, and that the people in the navy
are glad that the little American girl
should have thought of the children OF
the American sailors who were drown
ed while doing their duty"
A meeting OF the wives Of the chiefs
or bureaus or the AMY department
was held at the office Of the secretary
of the navy at 1870 o'clock this morn
ing to devise means for the relief of
h families of the sailors who lost
their lives by the wreck of the MAJ.
The newspapers Of the city were re-
quested to state that all persons de-
string to contribute to this FUND should
communicate with Mrs. Stewart at
1916 New Hampshire avenue. A form
OF %ircu inviting contributions was
submitted n approved, and copies or
dered to be sent to all navy yards,
stations and vessels of the navy.
Secretary Long received the follow
ing telegram from Admiral Sicard:
Key West, February o.
The Right Arm arrived at Havana
this morning. Captain Magee seems
to be IN experienced man who will be
able to give good advice. Captain
Sampson wires me the condition of
the wreck is such as TO require most
powerful appliances the government
cam procure. The court recommends
a contract with the best equipped
Wrecking company to remove material
and lift ship without delay. The for
ward half is completely destroyed, the
after half is apparently intact except
in minor matters"
HANNA SAYS IT WAS AN ACCT
DENT.
Sensational reports having been cir
culated that Senator Hanna had ex-
pressed the belief that a conflict be
tween the United States and Spain
was imminent, the attention of the
senator was called to them. He en-
phatically denied them, saying: II do
not believe there is anything in the
Maine incident or in our relations to
Spain regarding Cuba that will lead to
war. I am firmly of the opinion that
the explosion of the Main was due to
an accident, and I think that the naval
court of inquiry will reach the same
conclusions"
UNEASINESS AMONG THE SPAN
ISH.
The Evening Star has received the
following from it's staff correspondent
in Cuba:
Havana, Feb. 23rd, via, Key West.
Inquiry into the Maine disaster pro-
crosses along definite lines. The re-
suits so far as may be summed up in
the statement that the probabilities are
that it was an accident seem to de-
crease with the progress of the investi-
CATION. The most intense anxiety is
shown by the Spanish officials here,
who are in constant communication
with Madrid. They realize that the
relations with the United States were
never so much in danger of rupture as
now. This is the general feeling. The
commercial classes here are hopeful Of
American Intervention on peaceful
lines, but on what they base their hopes
is Unknown. The insurgents continue
to win minor military successes. The
autOnOmiStS are restless and some OF
the leaders seem on the point of break
ing away from the government. Army
officers continue to show an anti
American sentiment. They are ap-
parently the only class that does not
look for an early crisis
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
Havana Feb. 23.-The United States
court of inquiry into the loss of the
Maine met this morning at 10 o'clock
and examined DR.. Honeberger, Pay
master Ray and Chief Engineer How
ell, Of the battleship. There was a re-
cess ordered at nOOn, and it lasted un-
til 1870 o'clock p. m. Several witnesses
whose names are not now Obtainab bic,
were examined during the afternoon.
Another visit was made to the wreck
by Captain Sampson, president OF the
court. The captain says he has no
idea of the length Of time the cour
will remain in session here. 1t all de-
ponds upon the testimony, and new
features requiring further investlga-
ton may be developed at any time.
Captain Sampson added that sooner or
later. every survivor Of the Maine
would be examined by the court. which
seems to imply that sessions for that
purpose will be held at Key West.
DEVELOPMENTS BY THE COURT
KEPT SECRET.
Although this information is meagre
it is absolutely all Captain Sampson
will give to the press. The correspond
ent of the Associated Press sees him
by appointment twice daily, but there
is a rigid rule to observe silence until
the facts in the case v developed
through the testimony presented.
The Right Arm, of the Merritt and
Chapman Derrick and Wrecking Com
HNS' NDONN wv - AhOAA
the poop of the Maine. The wreckine
tug looks powerful enough to move g
mountain, yet it is reported that she
is not supplied, owing to her hurried
departure for this port, with all the
apparatus she needs for the work which
is before her. Captain MCGEE, tn
eommand",< Of the Right Arm, has re
ported Captain Sigsbee, as ordered b!
the navy department, and will act un
der Captain S~igsbee's orders, which
are not yet formulated, or at least, ar,
not made known.
A strong wind today made the har
Dor rough and added to the difficultie:
Of the divers, as the electric lights ar,
worked from a battery on board tn,
lighthouse tender Mangrove, 200 yardl
distant.
The wounded are doing we'll. TIL,
Olivette may take two bodies TO tn,
United States this afternoon. TIL
identity of the corpses is not know