Evening journal., 1898-02-25
'ssi-sSs-Fs'<ss'Ss 'SssssS - ~ Afsz7sS
INJURED DOING WELL
Testimony Before Maine In
quiry Court Kept Secret.
BOARD TO LEAVE HAVANA At ONCE.
VIII Sail to Key West ON the Mangrovs
and Continue Gathering Evidence
There-Captain sigsbee Wires Sec
retary Long For Instructions.

There-Captain sigsbee Wires Sec
retary Long For Instructions.
HAVANA. Feb. 25.-The court Of in
quiry held its usual sessions. Captain
Sampson reports that Chaplain Child
wick was examined as 10 his personal
experiences at the time Of the disas-
ter TO the Maine and that the testi-
mony was taken Of the captain of a
British bark In the harbor and the SUI
perintendent of the West Indian oil
works. across the bay at Regla, both OF
whom witnessed the explosion. Mr..
Rolf, the British engineer OF the float
ing dock in the harbor. wrote letter
to the court; but, II is said, did not add
anything material TO what was known.
At the afternoon session the divers
were examined more fully than before.
Their testimony is taken from day TO
day. The court expects now to finish
here at once and to sail on the Man
grove for Key West, where the other
officers and men VIII be examined. The
wrecking tug Right Arm did not go
north as was expected. She is now
moored beside the poop of the wreck
and win salvage the smaller portions
as far as possible In advance Of the ar
rival Of other tugs with better facili-
ties for heavy work. The hosting ap-
paratus must be capable of raising
scores OF tons in the effective work to
be accomplished.
Chaplain Chadwick reports that all the
wounded here are doing well except
Frederick c. Holzer of New York, who
may die at any moment. Additional
newspaper men arrive with every
steamer. The papers OF all the large
cities In the United States are repre-
sented, and the principal hotels are
well nlled The sky is bright and heck-
ed with light clouds. There is a strong
breeze blowing and the temperature is
below 20.
Neither the officers OF the court OF
inquiry nor the witnesses will give the
slightest indication of the testimony or
the conclusions deducible from It. and
all say that the men employed on the
wreck have been warned to observe an
equally strict reticence. This course is
regarded as eminently wise by the
American and all intelligent Spanish
officials, as there Is no telling what
passions might be aroused or what evil
results might be brought about by talk
ing freely on official matters in the
present state OF public feeling In Ha-
with the utmost courtesy and Kindness.
and It seems the special care Of the res
idents Of Havana 10 show friendliness.
Such a state OF things is certainly de-
sirable. but II might easily be changed
If officers only partly informed Of the
truth talked for publication.
General Lee says there is no truth I'm
the report that he had asked Captain
General Blanco 10 dismiss from Cuba
certain newspaper men for sending SEN
sauonal stories TO the United States.
On the contrary, General Lee has never
interfered with the American newspa-
per men IN any way whatever. The
principal streets and buildings are gay
ly decorated with flags and bunting i'm
honor OF the Spanish soldiers. 2.O29 in
fantr'mens under the command Of Jose
Amador, who arrived yesterday by the
steamer Montevideo from Barcelona.
General Solano. the second chief OF
staff has returned on board the Man
grove the visit OF the court Of inquiry.
acting as the representative of the Gov
ernor General. Admiral Manterola per-
sonally returned the visit paid to him
by the court. The Thursday receptions
of General Blanco were resumed last
evening
Ane insurgents nave ralued the smith
q Fischer plantation on the Canamabo,
in the Trinidad district. and killed one
and wounded five Of the defenders. who
numbered only seven. They burned all
the buildings but the dwelling OF Mr..
Smith, and, according to the Spanish
account Of the affair, took away or de-
stroyed 100000 worth OF provisions and
merchandise and got $4,000 In cash.
United States Consul Walter B. Barker.
at sagua la Grande is reported m. 1t
is said that he is threatened with pneu-
monia.