The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-25
COURT OF rNQUIRY's work.
A Number of witnesses Examined,
hut Nothing Given out.

Havana, Feb 24.-The Court of Inquiry
held Its usual sessions to-day. Capt.
Sampson reports that Chaplain Chadwick
was examined as to his personal expert
ence at the time of the disaster to the
Maine, and that the testimony was taken
of the captain of a British bark tying at
anchor in the harbor, and the superntend-
ent of the West Indian Oh Works, across
the bay at Regia, both of whom Witnessed
the explosion.
Mr. Rolf, the British engineer of the
floating dock in the harbor, wrote letter
to the court, but it is said, did not add any
thing material to what was known.
The session of the court this afternoon
was devoted to the taking Of the testimo-
ny of two civilians, Americans, who saw
the explosion from the deck OF the Ward
Line steamer City of Washington, which
was moored a few hundred yards from the
Maine and OF two divers who have been at
work on the wreck for several days.
Although it is probable the Mangrove
viii leave for Key West tomorrow, Capt.
Sampson is not yet certain. All depends
on whether the court finishes the work
possible here. The news given out by the
court is strictly confined to that already
sent out by this correspondence and is
scanty at best.
The explosion Is no longer the sole topic
of conversation. The public here appears
to be content to await the report of the
court of inquiry and to be well assured
that nothing except surmise is possible un-
til the report is made.
The coast survey steamer A. D. Bache,
after many delays, left for Dry Tortugas
this afternoon with three wounded. Ow-
ing 10 American quarantine regulations
the wounded, having been in hospitals
here and exposed to fever, must be taken
to hospitals in the Tortugas for quaran-
tine.
No bodies were recovered to-day from
the wreck.
Chaplain Chadwick reports that all the
wounded here are doing wen with one ex-
ception.
Neither the officers of the court of In
quiry nor the witnesses will give the
slightest indication of the testimony or the
conclusions deducible from it, and all say
that the men employed in the wreckins
have been warned to observe an absolutely
strict reticence. This course is regarded
as eminently wise by Americans and all
intelligent Spanish officials, as there Is no
telling what passions might be aroused or
what evil results might be brought about
by talking freely on official matters in
the present state of public feeling in Ha-
vana.
Thus far Americans are treated with the
utmost courtesy and kindness, and It
seems the special desire of citizens of Ha.
Vana to show friendliness.
Consul General Lee says there is no truth
in the report that he has asked Capt. Gen
Blanco to dismiss from Cuba certain news
paper men for sending sensational stories
to the United States. On the contrary
Consul General Lee has never interferea
with American newspaper men in any
way.
Gen. Solando. the second chief of stafr,
returned to-day on board the Mangrove
the visit of the court of inquiry, acting
as the representative of the Governor Gen
eral.
The insurgents have raided the Smith
and Fischer plantation on the Canambo,
in the Trinidad district, and killed one
and wounded five of the defenders, who
numbered only seven. They burned all the
buildings and dwellings of Mr.. Smith, ana
according to the Spanish account of the
affair, took away or destroyed $500, 900
worth of provisions and merchandise and
got 900 in money.