The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
Excitement I'm Cubn Said to BE Quiet
ing Down, and Gen. Lee Denies
Sending Americans Home.
ORDERS FOR FOUR WAR SHIPS
MEN IN LEAGUE ISLAND NAVY YARD
AT WORK ALL DAY SUNDAY.
Navy Department Announces No New
Developments - One Official
Diver Discharged.

HAVANA, via Key West, Fla, Feb. H.
Many Americans and some Spaniards here
insist that the investigation into the Maine
disaster has thus far been superficial and
barren of vital results. They claim that,
though nearly two weeks have passed, no
knowledge has been gained as to the cond-
ton of the forward part of the hull or as
to whether the six or ten-inch ammunition
magazines forward to the starboard explod-
ed. They insist, moreover that expert div
ers with enough experience to make draw
ings of the condition of things submarine
might have been at work week ago and
might have settled the question to the
magazines, at least ere this Those who
hold these views demand that the hull for
ward should be raised without further loss
Of time and before it has sunk too deep in
forty feet of soft mud. There are some
who go so far as to charge the United
Staes government with adopting the Span
ish policy of delay until the disaster shall
be partially forgotten or discounted. Many
of the Spanish officials are said to enter
tain the opinion that this is the case and
to be very well pleased with the notion.
On the other hand, however. good judges
say that all criticism in this vein is made
without knowledge of the facts and that
no one, save the members of the court of
inquiry and their superiors, is aware of all
the testimony developed or of what SUBJ
marine plans have been made.
Those also urge that there is no use try
ing to raise the hull until the wreckage
OF armor, superstructure, engines, docks,
guns and masts have been taken out. TO
do this will take time. and the apparatus
for the work can only be found in the
north. 1t is said no company in the world
ever took contract for such a work where
the blowing UP of a wreck by dynamite
was prohibited lest important evidence be
destroyed. But even the most moderate
person strongly deprecates any more delay
than is absolutely necessary, while all agree
that the American people are not likely to
forget so readily. Rumors of this, that or
the other discovery setting on foot this.
that or the other theory are still rife In
most cases, when run down. they are easily
proved false 1t is useless to deny that
the interest here is much less intense than
1t was week ago, but it is ever ready
to be kindled anew by any established facts.
DEEP RESPONSIBILITY.
The court of inquiry is as quiet as the
statue or Memnon; as dignified and as
stern. Its members are courteous but thew
Ieel the deep responsibility resting on them.
10 talk mdiscreetly might not only cost q
commission, no matter how high the rank
OF the holder, but would surely precipitate
trouble either here or in the United States
They were not exclusive when on shore.
and they dined with Consul General Lee
now anc again, but the wreck was ALWAYS
a prohibited topic. If memory did not give
q tinge of tragedy Havana's harbor would
appear commonplace enough to-day. Sail
boats, tugs and launches ply to and fro
all day. Steamers, large and small, arrive
and depart, and the hustle of d busy and
not specially picturesque harbor comes
and goes in the usual fashion In yonder
mass of steel, which seems to have writhed
in pain, still lies all that is mortal of more
than eighty brave men. 1t is generally ex-
pected that the court Of inquiry will return
here after taking testimony at Key West,
and it is likely that efforts will be made
by agents during the courts absence to Sc
cure other testimony.
The arrival of a battalion of more than
1900 regular troops from Barcelona, as al
ready cabled excited public interest only
for the day. Guns were fired, "vivas"
shouted and decorations, which the rain
spoiled, were put up, but that was all there
was of it. These men, so it is alleged, are
bNO cANcll4SC SudIQ VI a. QlV1SlOn OIL ll,UUU
Spanish regulars sent to take the place of
the sick and wounded who have returned to
Spain within the last few months.
The Spaniards know that Senator Proctor
is a close friend of President Mckinley,
and, despite his disclaimer of a political
mission, they continue to attach consider
able Importance to his visit at this juno
ture Some think that he has been sent
here by the President to make a report on
the situation as Mr.. Blount was sent to
Hawaii by President Cleveland. The Span
ish who in the main are ignorant of Ameri-
can customs and political methods, cannot
understand why a former secretary of war
should come to Havana, and there are many
expressions Of surprise that Senator Proc
tor is not in uniform instead of in civilian
dress.
Great preparations are being made to well
come the cruiser Vizcaya. Senior Rivera,
editor of La Discussion. says: THE gen.
eral impression here is that the United
States court of inquiry has already decided
that the disaster Of the Maine was the re-
suit Of an accident"
The grip is very prevalent in Havana
QUIET SUNDAY IN HAVANA.
The day has been clear and beautiful and
the first day of real rest for Captain Sigsbee
and his officers since the disaster Chaplain
Chadwick tried to make arrangements TO
send the body of Frederick C. Holzer north
by steamer, but found it impossible, owing
to the health regulations. The body found
last Friday was identified to-day as that
of Jagos, the coppersmith. a German. One
of the bodies found yesterday is still un-
Identified, but Chaplain Chadwick has
careful description Of tho tatiooing on the