The Indianapolis journal., 1898-03-13
BONDS
Wanted Immediately!
County, City, Town, School,
Gravel Road and Street Inn
provement Bonds. officials,
Banks and Contractors solici-
ted to correspond.

200 lnu1anH Trust Building,
INDIANAPOLIS.

spot is outside the hull on the starboard
side. 1t is probable that the turret is there,
partly buried in the mud All OF these facts
are known by the United States court of
inquiry having been ELECTED in the examin-
alton of those in position to know.
The expert interviewed by the correspond
ent expresses the belief that the Maine was
blown up by what is known as a Newport
stationary torpedo or something of the same
nature. This engine of destruction is the
joint product of the labors of Commanded
Converse. commander of tha Montgomery,
Lieutenant Mclean, now in command of the
torpedo station at Newport, and Lieuten-
ant Holman, ordnance officer of the Maine
at the time of the explosion. The Newport
torpedo can be planted from a small boat
and the expert believes that this one was
exploded by being struck on the port side
of the Maine, forward of amidship, as she
swung to her moorings. He thinks this
more likely than that wires were laid from
the shore. as the wires. If laid for any length
of time, would sink deep in the loose mar
Dor mud. 1t would be singular If it should
prove that the Maine was blown up by a
torpedo in the invention of which one of her
principal officers Lieutenant Holman bore a
notable part.
All of the above statements of facts and
surmises come from authority on which the
court depends for much of it's evidence, and
is given to the correspondent without reser-
walton except as to the name and rank cf
the giver. The expert further believes that
the destroying mine was made up OF four
torpedoes Of thirty-six pounds each of wet
and dry gun cotton, or 144 pounds in all.
This amount would have been ample to
Ill
clear over to starboard as undoubtedly was
done.
In the Judgment of the correspondent.
the United States court of inquiry is fully
aware of the views which the Spanish court
will promulgate, and has also made care
full investigation on the same lines so as to
be able to refute or confirm the Spanish
statements.
A story is current here, but it is not con-
firmed, that Captain Sampson has been ad-
vlsed from Washington that President Nc
Kinley is ready at any time to receive the
courts report, and that Captain Sampson
replied by long cipher cabegram to the
secretary of the navy. Captain Sampson is
not looking well, and good deal of anxiety
is felt here lest he be seriously i'll. The
doctor of the Montgomery, however, thinks
such fears are groundless, while others,
who should know, do not think So
A perpetual watch is kept on board and
about the cruiser Montgomery, but the off,
GERS of that vessel say that no such nerv-
GUS vigilance is shown as is displayed by
the Vizcaya and the Almirante Oquendo,
both of which are moored near by The
Spanish ships at night constantly have pa
troll boats out, which frequently stop har-
Dor boats coming within the lines of the
pickets.
Senior Sagasta, the Spanish premier, has
written a letter to an intimate friend, which
was read at a meeting of Conservatives
here last Thursday. In this letter the pre-
mier says that the disarming of the volun-
teers has been determined upon, but that
the publication of the intention to do so was
premature.
The news of the recrudesence of the revo-
luton in the Philippines was received here
with great disgust by the Spanish residents,
and with corresponding satisfaction by the
insurgent sympathizers.
The general government is using strong
efforts to induce conservative Cubans to
take part III the coming elections, as it is
feared that the impression will get abroad
that the conservatives prefer independence
or the annexation of the island to the
United States to autonomy.
Miss Clara Barton's presence is anxiously
awaited in Colon. Matanzas province, where
hundreds are starving.
A rumor is in circulation that the forces
Of General Gomez have made raid in the
Matanzas province. This rumor, however,
is not verified, and probably arises from the
fact that commission from General Co.
mez to the other insurgent leaders passed
through Bemma, Matanzas province, re-
Gently.
The autonomists have named two colored
university students for posts in the general
postoffice at Havana. The proper commit
tees have been appointed in Matanzas by
the prefect Of the province, subject to the
approval of Miss Barton. to, receive and dis
tribute supplies brought by the Fern.