The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-01
C)uTI Of Inquiry VIII Go There 10
T0ke Evidence Of Divers.
NO REPORT EXPECTED FOR SORE Weeks
Many Offers from 4ndividunIs md
Organizations : Secretary Gnge
Pronounccs " Statement Untrue
Issuing Death Certificates to Enmi.
lies OF Deceased Sailors.

Washington, d. c., FEB. 2S, 1898.
AT the close of Office hours n tele-
gram came to the Navy Department
from Admiral Sicard. at Key West,
In the following terms:
Key West, Fla, Feb. 2S, 1898.
To the Secretary Of the Navy, Wash
ington:
Court OF inquiry will commence ses-
sions at Key West to-day. They must
resume sessions at Havana to obtain
evidence OF divers after further work
upon the wreck
(SignedD SICARD.
The important feature of this COM
munication is the declaration that the
court Will return to Havana 1t sets
at rest rumorS that have been current
for some days past that the court was
not to return to Havana for the rea-
son that 1t had discovered the cause
OF the sinking Of the Maine, which
was not an accident, and that they
mad consequently no further business
IN havana. One important deduction
to be drawn from the message was
that the report of the court of inquiry
can scarcely be expected for several
weeks to come.
TESTIMONY TAKEN AT KEY WEST
The court will be occupied at Kew
West for some days at least in taking
the testimony of the survivors there
Ihen upon the return to Havana it is
expected that Il good deal of time must
elapse before the divers can get
through the mud which now encom-
passes the lower part or the wreck of
the Maine and examine the bottom.
After this is done the court must de-
hperate IN order TO secure an agree
ment upon their findings. The prcva-
lent belief at the Navy Department is
mat up to this moment the court has
not undertaken to compare notes and
endeavor 10 reach such an agreement
letter from Captain Sampson,
dated Havana, February 23d, was re-
cetved during the day, and with the
candor which has so far characterized
all his dealings with the public in this
matter Secretary Long caused /, 10 be
given To the newspaper reporters as
soon as he has read ii himself. AL
thoush ii is simply a statement of
events that had already bean reported
by telegraph. one fact is Significant
VIZ, the statement that the testimony
or certain civilian witnesses before
the court would be OF no Importance
HIS letter is as follows:
February 90, 1898.
Sir-The court has taken the testi-
mony OF all the officers of the Maine
Still here. Tomorrow we will take such
Testimony as the divers have accumu-
lated The Right Arm arrived here this
morning and reported to Captain Sigs-
bee according to orders.
i trust some wrecking companv will
be given the entire job. as no other plan
will be feasible
Ihcre are two citizens in the harTpor
who have sisniiied their Willingness to
testify. although they have nothing
important.
after taking this evidence and that
OF the divers, l propose to return 10
Nay West and take the evidence of the
officers and men there.
IT may be necessary to return her,
after further progress has been made
with the divers
Very respectfully,
wv. ~, SAMPSON,
Captain, u. S. Navy"
Ihe reports that came from Key West
about great activity and the observance
OF unusual precautions among the few
soldiers puartered there, was received
with amusement at army Headquarters
here. 1t was said that no orders had
gone forward from this city to explain
the hustle, but there was the bes. rea-
son to suspect that the com,nandant
was simply brushing up the ross and
puuilnS his best foot forward against
the expected appearance there ON his
tour of inspection of General Merritt
the commandirg general of the Depart
ment OF the East.
MOVEMENT OF VESSELS.
The sunboat Wilmington sailed to-
day from la Ciuayra for Blrbadoss
travelling over the ground covered a few
days before by the Cincinnati and Gas
tine. NJ OF the boats are slowly cr,lis-
ing around III the Caribbean. and will
be so employed until April, when they
Will go South again. Secretary Long
said at the close of office hours to-day
that no ordtrs had gone out to send an
other warship to Havana. reports to
the contrary Notwithstanding.
QUIET TRDVAII.S AT THE WHITE;
HOUSE.
AZ the White House the utmost quiet
prevails. Many Offe.s have come from
organizations and individuals in case
Of n conflict. Some OF The COngrssson-
al callers have also stated to the Pres
ident that their States were ready to
furnish full quotas OF men
Secretary Long and Secretary Algcr
and Representative Dlnglcy were
among the Presidents visitors to-day
hut 1t was stated that they had nothing
OF Importance to the Maine affair to
discuss with him. Mr, Dlneley spoke