Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-05

Mt the Divers-Left for Havana
Last Night-The Olympia to Be
Brought Home from the Asiatic
sta ZOE TO San Francisco She is
"a Great Boat, Both as a Fighter
..ul a Runner.
Washington, d. c.. March At was
Uped this afternoon, through tel
aph correspondence between Secre-
Long and Admiral Sicard that
Tire court of inquiry is unable to
Ven an approximate date >for the
usion OF its investigation into
t disaster TO the Maine
Sharing the general anxiety for
w information on this point, Sec
Johnny Long to-day, at the instance Of
tla cabinet, sent a telegram to Adj
mual Sicard, asking him when it was
expected that the report of the court
would be made, and late tonight the
oIJoEing reply was received:
KEY WEST, March 4.
Secretary of the Navy.
Have talked with the president of
tbe court Of inquiry and agree with
him that it is not yet possible to fix
aate for the finding, as so much de-
ponds upon the progress of the divers
and wreckers, and the results they
ofr ;1 ID
ro advance the inquiry. The court re-
tlrrs 70 Havana by the Mangrove this
evening. having about finished the ex-
animation at Key West.
Signed SICARD.
ADMIRAL Sicard's message is regard
ell officially as disposing of the re-
ports that the court has as yet OBJ
tajned positive or conclusive informa-
ZION bearing upon the object of their
Investigation. 1t is taken to mean that
upon the testimony of discoveries of
tie divers
WILL DEPEND THE FINDING,
the examination of the officers and
crew Of the ship having been INSULT
cent to enable the court to even form
aa idea as to what lines may be open
d up from the investigation of the
wreck itself.
While the telegram was naturally
somewhat if Disappointment in leay-
Ing the termination of the inquiry as
much in doubt as ever, it was welcom-
81 a. practically setting at rest the
reports as to the results of the investi-
cation up TO date
is stated that the board in all prob
ability will not return to Key West,
tho department having intimated that
It was its desire that the examination
d the officers and men should be con-
,iuded at this sitting, as they are
1eeded for reassignment to ships.
u is probable that the Olympia. flag
;hin Of the Asiatic squadron, and the
peerless queen of the cruisers, will
aome home to San Francisco. The
navigation bureau has this movement
mder consideration, and in view of the
aot that the ship has been three yea IS
away from a navy yard, engaged in
ter hard cruising service, even if
dcre were no other reason. it is prob
7hle that the order viii be given. The
olympia is a protected cruiser of eX-
Taordinary speed and endurance, with
battery strong enough to overpower
Almost anything short of battleship,
nd speed enough to run away from
hot or anything else she does not care
ID light.
The torpedo boat Wiuslow. at Norfolk.
Ns completed her repairs and will Join
Aotlla at Key West. as soon as the
-'lo On the coast blows itself out and
mikes the run down safe
Naval officials are deeply interested in
'he reports Of the
PURCHASE or WARSHIPS
~ Spaia and make the reports Of these
ta'Sactions the text for complaints of
vi inability Of our navy department to do
E"wise. However. as to the report from
Hian to-day. of the purchase of the
NiH3z onaS by Spain il is said at the dc
Garment that this vessel sailed for Bra
several months ago and had been de-
"F"rod TO the Brazilian government, Her
-,'r ship is near completion in the Arm
strong yards They are useful sruisers.
oWos Of the Barossa, now Of the Brazil
'n navy, and their strong point is the
RFtat radius of action-S,000 miles-which
would enable them to cross the Atlantic
'Hd re-cross without renewing their coal
Wpply.
Ine two other ships building for Brazil
france. which are also reported 10 he
a"oW to pass into Spanish possession, are
resumed 10 be the Deodora and Floriona.
"0"ch are building nc la Sienne. Toul6n.
'0ese are small but powerful little bat
Mus Their tonnage is only 3.l62. but
''ty carry four l0-ineh rifles in turrets,
addition to two 6-nch and -four 4.1-inch
Hl4 as a secondary battery. Their coal
M.luance. however. is small and their
'"r-c would seem 20 be coast defense OPP
NJ ions. or cruising near base Of sup
l''eS
The Londons reports also caused COM
mont at the State Department. In some
quarters the feeling was expressed that
nending the finding of court of inquiry
~ case having the the international
Phases Of the Maine explosion the oblisa-