The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-02-23
A DELIBERATE PLOT.
Says the Maine Was Destroyed By
a Submarine Mine.

righted cable dispatch to the New York
Evening Journal gives the result of his
Investigations at Havana. Mr.. BIyson
is one Of the most careful and painstak-
ing correspondents in the country. His
dispatch reads as follc VS.:
Havana, via Key West, Feb. al
have made Il careful examination of the
wreck of the Maine; | have consulted
naval experts and experts on explosions,
and am at length prepared to make n
statement or facts before the great court
of the American people.
y great hole was blown in the bottom
of The Maine inward-on the port side.
The water rushed through this huge
gap and flooded the lower part of the
ship. Men were aroused where the slept.
The magazines were flooded by the in
SURFING water.
This proves in the minds of naval ex.
merits that neither magazine could have
exploded. The conclusion of the eXter-
nal explosion loosened the doors and the
magazines filled.
This conclusion is borne out by incon.
testabe proof.
The blow was delivered on the port
side, about third of the wsv aft.
Because the Maine canted from Fort
to starboard.
Because the port side near the forward
uO'ierS IL ID mass OIL TWISTED SLGGl.
Because the starboard is comparatively
uniniured Even the incandescent lamp
guards on the starboard side are intact
The paint Is fresh-not Il blister.
The blow was dealt on the bottom, up.
ward
Because the cen ent used in the bottom
Of the ship was blown upward. Some of
this cement fell on the deck of the CITY
OF Washington.
Because great pillar of water shot up
in the ar from the port side of the Maine
Because the force of the explosion. as
described by survivors and eye witnesses,
WAS upward.
The explosion was not inside the ship.
Because the main magazine aft did uot
explode. This is visible to the eye.
Because the forward magazine did not
explode. This, also, inferen italy, is
visible. The forward turret, over the
magazine, is intact. If the magazine
had exploded the cap of the turret would
have been blown off.
Two sailors were sleeping in q cutter
within twenty feet of the magazine. An
other sailor was sleeping within three
feet OF the magazine. These men are
alive.
Is CAUSE the gun cotton did not en-
plode. 1t is intact.
Because there was nothing outside the
magazines to wreck the ship by their ex-
piosion-only few small calibre shells,
saIuting caitii0es and small ammuui-
ton.
Because, if the explosion had been in
side the Maine, the ship would have been
split open. The armor plates would have
been torn apart. The main force of the
explosion would have been lateral, not
upward
Because. il the explosion had been in
side the ship, great sheet Of flame
would have followed. The bodies of the
sailors would have been burned. Few Of
those so far recovered have shown the
{ fleet of fire.
Because not one Of the officers or a
member Of the crew believes the explo-
sion was an accident inside the ship
The officers, even from the first, refused
to say that 1t might be an accident.
They maintained an ominous reticence
Since then every discovery has strength
ened their belief that tremendous low
was dealt to the Maine on the port side,
from tie bottom.