Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-03-01
captain Sampson seemed satisfied
with the days work, but said nothing

captain sampson seemed satisfied
"aln the days work, but said nothing
could be given out.
| After the court room was cleared for
the DAY, Captain Sampson held short
interview with Rear Admiral Sicard
and then returned to the Iowa. Can
tain Chadwick and Lieutenant Com
mander Potter We're taken on hoard
the New York
rev knew more than was known
this morning. An officer Of the Maine
however. who had been examined by
the court during the day. talked at
iens1n WIN the correspondent Of the
Associated Press.
Il cannot tell you" he said. what
line of Questioning was adopted, but
the court will find, l believe. that the
Maine was blown up by design, though
don't think it will be able to ascer-
tam exactly how. The courts finding
Will be based on negative, ra uher than
positive evidence
by this l mean that all the testi-
mony heard SO far has, bit by bit up
set the theories of those who think the
explosion was of internal origin This
general that l see no poss tbil:ty of the
court deciding that the explosion was
internal.
The only alternative then left for
the court is to fall back on evidence
which points to Intentional blowing nm
done unless the court :ormulates a
theory Of its own or declares that 1t
does not know how the disaster oc-
CURED. both of which conjectures l
think improba BILE"
AS bearing on the value OF the opn-
ion of the officer in question it must
be borne in mind that he was before
the court for about fifteen minutes only
and that he has at all time. expressed
himself as confident that the explosion
was not due 70 ar accident
Members of the court. when the sub
stance of the interview was brought to
their attention. declined to have ANY,
thing to say. All the high naval and
military officials here, when asked cru
cial questions, politely profess igno-
rance.
MILLIONS FOR DEFENSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S-Represen-
tative Gibson. of Tennessee. introduce 4
a bill to-day appropriating 100000. 900
for the maintenance of national honor
and defense" The bill appropriates
the money for THE CONSTRUCTION, pur-
chase. repair and equipment of such
and so many vessels of war. and for
the construction. purchase and repair
OF such and so much ma terial and
stores of naval warfare and for the en-
listment, transportation. equipment and
subsistence Of such and so many sail
ors. officers and marines and other men
as in the judgment of the Secretary OF
the navy the public welfare may re-
quire.
DAUgNTLlCsS AT KEY WEST.
JACKSONVILLE, FLA, Feb. IS
The steamer Dauntless, which left
F'ernandina on Sunday night at -
O'Clock and is supposed to have carried
large cargo of arms and ammunition
to Cuba, arrived here early this morn
ing, and is now tied up at one of the
wharves. Captain Pilsibury, of the dy-
Mantle cruiser Vesuvius, having been
Informed by telephone from Fort
George of the arrival of the Dauntless.
went down the river at an early hour
to escort her up the river. The Vesu-
wills returned to port with the Daunt-
less, and is now anchored i'm the river
No. steps have been taken by the Gov
sai
LEE GOING TO CUBA.
RICHMOND. VA, Feb. 2S-Fitzhush
at Havana, who is employed as a clerk
i'm the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
office, will leave for Cuba tom orrow.