The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-01
Before the Naval Court of In.
quiry Reports
On the Cause of the Disaster tt
the Maine.
s NOW IN KEY WEST.
VIII Return to Havana For
More Testimony.
Must Then Deliberate on Verdict
Already Made Up.

Washington, March IA telegram
has come to the navy department from
Admiral Sicard, at Key West, in the
following terms:
ITO the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington:-COurt of inquiry will COM
mence session at Key West today.
They must resume session at Havana
to obtain evidence of divers after furth-
er work upon the wreck
"CSigned) 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 One import
ant deduction to be drawn from the
message was that the report of the
court of inquiry can scarcely be ex-
pected for several weeks to come. The
court will be occupied at Key West for
some days at least in taking the teSti-
mOny of the survivors there. Then,
upon the return to Havana, it is eX-
pected that a good deal of time must
elapSe before the divers can get through
the mud which now encompasses the
lower part of the wreck of the Maine
and examine the bottom. After this is
done, the court must deliberate in order
to secure an agreement upon their find
ings.
A Cuban mail was received during the
day and Secretary Long caused it to
be given to the newspaper reporters as
soon as ne nd0 read II himself 1t
was made up of one letter from Captain
Sampson, dated at Havana, February
%. The statement was made that the
testimony of certain civilian witnesses
before the court would be Of no import
ance. His letter is as follows:
February %, 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
Sigsbee, according to orders.
Il trust some wrecking company will
be given the entire job, as no other plan
will be feasible.
There are two citizens in the harbor
who have declared their willingness to
testify, although they have nothing i'm
portant.
After taking this evidence and that
of the divers, I propose to return to
Key West and take the evidence of the
officers and men there.
1T may be necessary to return here
after further progress has been made by
the divers.
Very respectfully,
w T. SAMPSON,
Captain, U. S. N"
Key West, March Lieutenant
Blandin was before the court of inquiry
for about an hour. The naval officers
sat an Judge LOclze's private chambers.
No marines were on guard, but all the
doors were closed.
around the big court room until sum-
moned to give testimony.
Those who were called as witnesses
were Lieutenants Blandin, Hood, Jun
gen and Blow and Cadets Bronson and
Boyd.
No enlisted men were examined at the
morning session Lieutenant Com
mander Mark, who received the list
Of witnesses, said the inquiry was pro-
crossing well. The United States
cruiser Detroit sailed to the Tortugas
today with provisions for the fleet.
Havana, March Senator Proctor
and his companion, Colonel Parker
with Consul General Lee paid their re-
spects to Captain General Blanco and
were cordially received.
The senator has not yet witnessed the
distribution of relief under the aus
pieces of the Red Cross society of the
United States. Miss Clara Barton's
latest additions to her staff are men
who have been in the Red Cross service
for years and who have seen duty in
Armenia and elsewhere.