Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24

pRErAKAT10Ks Y0S THE INQUIRY.

PREPARATIONS f0S THE INQUIRE.
Key WEST. Fla, Feb. l9-Rear Ad-
miral Sicard is preparing precept, or
advance order, for assembling here the
court Of inquiry into the loss Of the
Maine. The warships Iowa, Indiana
and Massachusetts we're expected this
morning. Their officers and those Of
the cruiser New York will probably
compose majority Of the court The
court may proceed later to Havana
A room in the federal courthouse here
will most likely be secured for the sit
tings
As regards the story that one Of the
crew Of the Maine saw small object
emitting smoke approaching the war
ship just before the explosion, the cor
respondent Of the Associated press has
interviewed the man in the hospital
who was said to have circulated the
report and has had from him an abso-
lutte denial. Lieut. Blsndin, officer Of
the deck vt the time Of the explosion,
and Lieut. Hood, who was with him,
both positively deny that such story
could have any foundation unless it
was the smoke Of the City Of Washing
ton that misled some one.
All the wounded OF the Maine are
doing we'll. A Havana dispatch said
that 1856 bodies of the victims had been
recovered. The Bache left for the
cruiser New York at nine o'clock yes
terday morning with divers from the
New York, and will then proceed to
Havana, probably reaching the Maine
this morning.
THE CABINET MEETING.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 19.-The only ab-
sentees from yesterdays cabinet meet
ing were Secretaries Sherman and AL
ger. During the meeting, the disaster
to the Maine was the principle topic of
discussion. Although the president
and members OF the cabinet await with
interest the result Of the inquiry into
the cause Of the disaster, there re-
mains scarcely doubt in their minds
it was an accident purely, and such as
might happen at any time. The view
Of the matter, however, will not infiu-
ence the president to stop short Of q
most searching investigation into all
facts that may have any possible bear
ing upon the case. Until facts are
shown to the contrary, the president
will assume that the explosion came
from within.
SPANISH VIEW OF 1T.
New YORK, Feb. l9.-The Herald to.
day SAYS: Lieut. j.. u. Sobria, naval
attache of the Spanish legation at
Washington, was in this city yesterday
cooperating with the authorities in
preparing for the safety Of the Vizcaya
during her stay in this port. Lieut..
Sobria was asked for his opinion as to
the cause of the explosion OF the
Maine. His reply was: II know the
cause Of the explosion, but cannot
divulge It," He was pressed for fur
Their information on this point and he
finally replied. ut was the result OF
an explosion inside the ship, which
took place in one Of the forward maya
zines. The fact OF the matter is that
the discipline and watch observed on
t,,r ship were very lax. This, as one
| nghsh newspaper the other day de-
claruu. Is de CASE on American war
ships generally. This sort Of thing
has occurred on previous occasions on
American war vessels"
AN EXPERT OPINION ON THE EXPLOSION.
New YORK, Feb. 19.-The Army and
Navy Journal says to-day, regarding
the cause Of the Maine disaster:
At the present time Of writing. indications
favor the presumption that the explosion Of
the Maine was due to the spontaneous combus'
ton Of coal in the forward bunker, producing Q
temperature sufAcient to overhead the inter-
vening bulk-head and thus effect the explosion
Of the ammunition stored in the adjacent mag.
azines Whether this Is the correct explana-
ton or not, 1t Is significant that 1t Is immedi'
ately advanced by many prominent naval
officers Some two years ago the Cincinnati
narrowly escaped like fate from the same
cause, and similar fires have originated In the
bunkers Of both the New York and Oregon.
ANOTHER SHIP TO HAVANA.
New YORK, Feb. 19.-Late dispatches
from Washington announce that the
administration has decided that an
other man-of-war should be sent at
once to Havana to replace the Maine.
The Montgomery will probably be the
vessel selected, and that vessel will be
in Havana harbor probably by Mon
dav nnon.