The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-23
REPORT COMING NORTH
In Possession of Judge Advocate Ma
rfx, of the Naval Court.

KEY WEST Fla, March 22.-Lieutenant
Commander Mark, judge advocate of the
United States court of inquiry into the loss
of the battle ship Maine, left Key West this
afternoon on his way to Washington by the
City of Key West. bound for Miami, taking
with him the report of the court on the
disaster. Commander Mark brought the
report ashore from the Nashville to-day
and Rear Admiral Sicard with Commander
Carix, spent several hours in its revision
Before leaving Key West, Commander Ma
rix said nothing could be given out about
the work Of the court of inquiry or its find
ings personally. The commander said he
was intensely relieved at completing his
labors.
The decision reached by the court is still
matter of surmise. Perhaps some sigpifi-
canoe may be attached and conclusions
drawn from a remark made by Admiral
Sicard last night, when he said to a CORE
spondent: "The case of the Maine is most
peculiar, perhaps the most peculiar which
has ever occurred In the history of the
world From the general tone Of his re-
marks it might be inferred that the court
findings do not definitely solve the mystery
of the explosion. This is further borne out
by the admirals statement that even after
the department may require further inves-
tigation AS stated yesterday the report
was brought ashore last evening by Judge
Advocate Mark, who walked into the hotel
and asked for Admiral Sicard Behind Lieu
tenant Commander Mark was an armed
orderly with large dispatch bag slung
across his shoulder. and in that was the
report of the Maine court of inquiry. In
the little writing room of the hotel Lieut.
Mark personally delivered the report to
Admiral Sicar1. Commander West of Ad-
miral Sicards staff, then joined Lieutenant
Mark, and the trio walked upstairs TO the
admirafs rooms. For two hours they were
cioseted together going over the volun,inous
papers Lieutenant Commander Mark then
personally took the papers on board the
Nashville, which lies close off shore. where
they were kept last night.
Within the last five days a minority sem
tilnent has been steadily growing that the
court has been unable to determine def
nitely the cause of the explosion. Still, it
is true that a majority hold to the convic-
ton that the report will find and prove that
the Maine was blown up Intentionally. As
is natural, all who could speak authori-
tatively continue to maintain the silence
which has marked the history of this most
reliable basis speculation continues rife
as ever, and accurate news from Washing
ton is awaited as eagerly by Rear Admiral
Sicard as by the youngest cadet in the fleet.
The sending of the report to-day to Wash
ington, as forecasted by this correspondent
yesterday, was an undramatio climax to
weeks of waiting Lieutenant Commander
Mark went aboard the Nashville early in
the day and brought off the findings. After
prolonged conference with Rear Admiral
Sicard certain alterations were made and
then Rear Admiral Sicard affixed his sigma
ture of approval. After luncheon Lieuten-
ant Commander Mark boarded the steamer
City of Key West and sailed for Miami at
half past o'clock, with the court findings
safely slowed away in stateroom No. 16
Lieutenant Commander Mark before leav-
ing was in a noncommittal mood. He con-
fined himself to saying that he was intense
ly glad 10 be through with the very tedious
work and once more to be on the way
north. Despite the absence from Key West
of the documents on which the eyes of the
world are fixed the court of inquiry con-
tinues in existence, though inactive. Should
the Navy Department require further in
vestigation and express dissatisfaction with
the findings it is probable the court would
release of all the Maine officers held here
as witnesses until to-day makes it unlikely
that any loophole has been left which
would justify the department in requiring
the court to perform further work All the
officers of the Maine here have received or
ders to leave for their homes, there to await
orders, as in the case of other officers who
left here last week. Lieutenants Jungen
and Hood, Cadets Bronson and Boyd,
Passed Assistant Engineer Bowers, Assist
ant Engineer Morris and Carpenter Hilms.
OF the Maine, left here to-day on the City
of Key West for Miami. Gunner Hale, of
the lost battle ship, will leave later. There
are no commissioned officers of the Maine
here.
The receipt by the officers of the Maine of
their orders to leave for their homes caused
the greatest joy among them