The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-02
COURT GRINDING AWAY
FOUR OFFICERS AND TEN MEN ON
THE STAND At KEY WEST
Steps Taken to Prevent a Cuban
Demonstration When the Funeral
of Victims OF the Explosion Is
Held ON Thursday-NO Evidence
Given Out to the Public.

he1u on Ihursday@NO Evidence
Given Out to the Public.
KEY WEST, March 1.-The second
days sessions Of the court Of inquiry
are over, and nothing new Is known
regarding the fate Of the Maine, at all
events outside the members of the
court. Some who confidently declared
a week ago that the court had already
found that the vessel was Intentionally
blown up have modified this convic-
tion, and. for the most part, admit
that such reports must have been bas-
ed largely upon speculation.
Excellent progress has been made in
the examinations, and the court will
probably finish it's work here tomor-
row, when Its members will be taken
back to Havana on the Mangrove.
Interest in the proceedings tagged
somewhat today, owing to the utter fu-
tility Of all attempts to crafty the
general curiosity. The correspondent
one of the members of the court the
letter signed .'Maquinista" (MachinisD,
giving alleged details Of the filing of
the Names torpedo holes with dyna-
mite cartridges and their subsequent
explosion by electric wires.
The member of the court in question
said that neither the letter nor its de-
the court
The general situation here remains
the same. The fleet has not moved,
though there are signs Of activity,
which give rise to a rumor that an i'm
portant naval step is contemplated. Ad-
miral Sicard, when questioned on this
point this afternoon, merely reiterated
his remark of yesterday, There is no
movement today. The ships have
steam up always, and they can go
anywhere"
The report that remnants of sub
marine mine, alleged to have been rails
ed by the United States naval divers at
Havana, with the electrical wires in
which they had been entangled, were
brought here on Sunday by the Man
grove and are now in the warehouse of
the lighthouse department., is denied
in high official quarters.
Second Days Sessions.
The second days session of the court
here began after 10 o'clock this morn
ing. Most of the officers who were ex-
amined yesterday had been informed
that they might be recalled. and the
lieutenants and cadets of the warship
were all on hand, although 1t is eX-
pected they will not be examined until
the court returns from its second visit
also gathered about the court room,
awaiting their turn to be examined.
A good part of the time Of the court
today was devoted to verifying the tes-
timony previously given, the steno-
graphers reading their official trans
cripts of the evidence, and the witness
confirming their correctness.
Apparently but few vital questions
were asked, the morning being SEEM
i,,or 70 nrIy
\ Following the custom of the previous
sessions of the court, all the witnesses
were sworn not to reveal any part of
the proceedings of the court.
The coast cruiser Bache will return
here from Havana tomorrow night or
Thursday morning, bringing all the
Names unburied dead. and the wound
ed Who have been in the hospital at
Havana. The wounded will be left at
the Tortugas for quarantine, and four
wounded men who were left at the Tor
tugas on Saturday will be brought on
here.
Capt. Sigsbee reported last night that
only one unidentified body was ready
for shipment, but it is expected that
several more will be recovered from
the wreck before the Bache is ready to
sail. Funeral services over the re-
mains will probably be held on Thurs
day, and the interment will take place
in the city cemetery.
Quiet Funeral.
Admiral Sicard is credited with the
intention Of having the funeral as pri-
vate as possible, but it is considered
doubtful whether his wishes on the sub
ject will be respected by the people
here. who are eager to pay a tribute
of respect to the Names dead. 1t is
possible that the funeral may be made
the occasion for an attempted Cuban
demonstration
The court adjourned for lunch at
12:40 p. M, after examining four en-
gineer officers and eight enlisted men
of the Maine
The afternoon session of the court
began at 80 o'clock and an adjourn
ment was taken about until about 10
tomorrow.
The whole number of enlisted emen
examined during the day is ten.
Admiral Sicard has requested DIR
Malloney, the mayor of Key West, to
prevent local demonstration when the
funeral of the Names dead occurs.
he has asked that in the event of a
parade being formed by the residents,
only American flags shall be displayed.
Mayor Mailoney has promised to car
ry out Admiral Sicards wishes as far
as possible, but doubts whether the
strong Cuban and anti-Spanish senti-
ment can be suppressed
All of the funeral arrangements will
be under the direction of Commander
Mccall, of the Marblehead. AS now
planned, small details of marines will
be landed from the vessels here and at
the Tortugas, and the artillery at the
barracks will Join in paying the last
honors.