Evening star., 1898-03-25
view OF THE COURT
Maine Explosion Due to External
Agency.
RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT FIXED
Statement by One Of the Highest
Government officials.
REPORT GIVEN TO TEE PRESIDENT
Findings Discussed in the Cabinet
REPORT GIVEN TO TEE PRESIDENT
Findings Discussed in the Cabinet
Meeting.
SPANS TORPEDO FLOTILLA

Tie report CT the court of inquiry ap-
pointed to investigate the Maine disaster
was delivered to the President this morn
ing.
AS stated in the extra Star, it shows:
The board of inquiry into the loss of the
Maine finds that tine explosion which de-
stroyed the Maine was from the outside,
and does not fix the responsibility for the
disaster. II does Ect express an opinion as
to the character of the explosive, but the
testimony goes to show that it was a pow
erful submarine mine, the exact character
OF which is not determined by the testi-
r'ony. though the belief was expressed that
ii was what is known as a floating sub
marine mine. There were two explosions,
the beard finds; the first was from tie out
side. aud that set off one of the smaller
magazines.
The movement of the Spanish torpedo
fotilia from the Canary Islands to Porto
Rico is the chief topic among Navy De-
partment officials. Correspondence with
Spain is likely 10 follow
Commodore ". S. Schley was ordered to
command the flying squadron in Hamp-
ton Roads. with the cruiser Brooklyn for
flagship He will take command Monday
Capt. Chester was detached from com
rland of the South Atlantic station
Admiral Sicard was detached from COM
inand of the North Atlantic squadron and
given six months leave. Capt. Sampson
was ordered to succeed him
The Navy Department has taken steps to
utilize the naval militia of New England
and New York in manning the oil monitors
OF The civil war.
Representative Wheeler introduced bill
authorizing il general terms the President
- prepare tc defend the country during the
recess cf Congress if Spain or any country
commits an act of war.
Orders were issued TO hurry up work OF
the Albany, one Of the cruisers recently
bought in England from Brazil.
Capt. Shoemaker, chief of the revenue
cutter service, was engaged today in max
ing assignme ents of officers
Officers Cf the revenue cutter service on
duty with the life-saving service have been
assigned to duty on the vessels crdered to
Norfolk
Orders have been sent to the Norfolk yard
to prepare the cutters for service as soon
as possible after their arrival
Interest, bordering upon concern, is mani
tested among officials Of the Navy De
partment over the movement of the Span
isA feet of torpedo boats from the Canar-
les to Porto Rico
Ine notlila is one of the most formida-
. BE OF its kind afioat. and the sending of
u To the West Indies at this time is re-
gs-rded as an indication of SDain's en-
Ceavor to be prepared for any emergency
that may arise in or near Cuban waters
The navy experts are of opinion that in
ordinary circumstances it will take the
fotilla about ten days to make the Jour
ney from the Canaries to Porto Rico. but
j. is exceedingly likely that it will actually
require several days longer. The liability
OF the boats to accident IS great particu-
larry if they should encounter rough
weather Then, tCo. if they should be ac-
C mpanied by collier the speed of the
fleet would be reduced TO that of the coal
boat.
Speaking this morning Of the movement
OF the houlia one of the naval officials COM
pared the torpedo boats to race horses
trained to nicely. They are keyed up to
high pitch for short, sharp and decisive
work. and if overtaxed are liable to break
Gown While the flotilla might make the
trip to Porto Rico in ten days. in order TO
do so absolutely smooth water would have
70 be insured them throughout the dis
t&nce.
1t Is understood today that some corre-
spondence with Spain through Minister
Polo concerning the movements of the tor
pcdo boat fotilla is not unlikely. The
statements made yesterday to the effect
that this government might regard the
sending Of the notilla to West Indian
waters as an act unfriendIy to the United
States, inasnuch as 1t was evident tina:
the boats were not intended for use against
the Cuban insurgents. and, as a matter OF
fact could be employed only against hos
tile fleet of warships. were accentuated TO-
day. WHAT representations IL any, viii be
made 10 Spain cannot. quite naturally be
ascertained.
Proposed Purchase of Yachts.
In this connection the announcement
made last evening that the Navy Depart
ment had under consideration, and mad. in
deed, practically concluded, the purchase
of several fast yachts which it Is proposed
to transform into torpedo boats, is not
viewed with entire favor b. naval men