Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-03-08
CANT FIX THE DATE.
Court of Inquiry Unable to Tell
When 1t Gan Report.
IT LEAVES KEY WEST FOR HAVANA.
Spain said to Have Purchased Two
Wnrships - Government OMciRis
Deeply Interested in the story
Spanish Squadron for Cuba

Spanish Squadron 1Or CuDa@
Washington March 5.-lt was devel-
oped Friday afternoon through tele-
graphic correspondence between Sec
rotary Long and Admiral Sicard that
the court of inquiry is unable to fix even
an approximate date for the conclusion
of it's investigation into the disaster to
the Maine. Sharing the general anx-
iety for some information on this point,
Secretary Long Friday, at the instance
of the cabinet, sent a telegram to Adj
miral Sicard asking him when it was
probable that the report of the court
would be made, and late Friday night
the following reply was received:
Key West, Fla. March 4.--Secretary OF
the Navy: Have talked with the presi-
dent of the court Of inquiry, and agree with
MIN that 1t Is not yet possible to fix date
FOR the finding, as so much depends upon
the progress of divers and wreckers and
the results they obtain. Every effort Ia be-
Ing made to advance the inquiry. The
court returns to Havana by the Mangrove
this evening, having about finished the in
vestigation at Key West SICARD."
Rumors Set at Rest.
Admiral Sicard's message is regarded
officially as disposing of the reports
that the court has as yet obtained posi-
tive or conclusive information bearing
upon the subject of their investigation.
1t is taken to mean that upon the tes-
timony or discoveries of the divers will
depend the finding, the examination of
the officers and crew of the ship hav-
ing been insufficient to enable the
court to even form an idea as to what
lines may be opened up from the inves-
tlgation of the wreck itself.
While the telegram was naturally
somewhat of a disappointment in leav-
ing the termination of the inquiry as
much in doubt as ever, it was welcomed
as practically setting at rest the re-
ports as to the results of the investiga-
ton up to date.
1t is stated that the board in all
probability will not return to Kew
West, the department having intimated
that it was its desire that the exumina-
ton of the officers and men should be
concluded at this sitting, as they are
needed for reenlistment to ships
1t was said at the navy department
ut the close of Office hours that no word
had come from Key West or Havana
save the brief dispatches of the past
two days relative to the disposition of
wounded men and dead bodies.
Spain's Latest Move.
Naval officials are deeply interested
in the reports of the purchase of war
ships by Spain, and make the reports
OF these transactions the text for com
plants of the inability of our navy de-
partment to do likewise However. as TO
the report from London of the purchase
OF the Amazonius by Spain, it is said
at the department this vessel sailed for
Brazil several months ago and has been
delivered to the Brazilian government
Her sister ships near completion in the
Armstrong yards. They are useful
cruisers, copies of the Barossa, now of
the Brazilian navy, and their strong
point is their great radius of action
5000 mlles--which would enable them
TO cross the Atlantic and recross with
out renewing their coal supply. The
other two ships building for Brazil in
france, which are also reported to be
about to pass into Spanish possession.
are presumed to be the Deadoro and the
florlona, which are building at La
Selnne, Toulon. These are small Int
powerful little battleships. Their ton.
mage is only 3.162, but they carry four
ten-inch rifles in turrets, in addition to
Two six-inch and four 4.7-inch guns
and good secondary battery. Their
coal endurance however, is small. and
their forte would seem to be coast de-
Tense operations, or cruising near base
of supplies.
The London reports also caused COM
ment at the state department In some
quarters the feeling was expressed that
pending the finding of court of in
qulry on case having the international
phases OF the Maine explosion the OBJ
hgatlons of neutrality were as STRONGLY
imposed on Great Britain and Brazil
as in time of war. The presidents an
ply only to condition of war and not,
TO conditions which may eventually lead
TO war. In the Geneva award. however
unfriendly acts by Great Britain prior
TO the breaking out of the rebellion
constituted part of the case on which
heavy damages were awarded against
her. But, as a general rule, foreign gov
ernments are free to sell warsbins.
either directly or through their citi-
gems up to the actual date of hostilities.
Scope of the Inquiry.
Washington, March 5.-Admiral ST.
cards precept converting the court of
inquiry now investigating the disaster
to the battleship Maine has been re-
ceiyed by the navy department, and has
just been made public. 1T is important
in showing mainly the exact scope of
the inquiry, and the extent to which
the report will go. Aside from the
usual orders directing the court to re-
port both findings of fact, and its opin-
Ions as to these findings, Admiral ST.
card directs the court to record any in
formation as to person or persons, mot
connected with the navy of the United
States, who are, in its opinion, respon-
sible, in part or wholly, directly or in
directly, for the explosion and the loss
of the Maine" with names, and the de-
grees of responsibility in each case.
Court Goes to Havana.
Key West, Fla, March 5.-After two
postponements of its departure the
court Of inquiry left for Havana Fri
day evening on the lighthouse tender
Mangroye. 1t is believed by the best
informed here that the court will COM
plete it's labors in the Cuban capital