Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-03

~
gave a complete and official synopsis OF
this Spanish report. the essential fea-
tures OF which are. that the explosion of
the Maine occurred inside Of the ship
and that no evidence existed Of any ex-
terror explosion.
SPANS FISH THEORY.
Admiral Irwin to-day was among the
witnesses before the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations. which Is making
thorough inquiry into the Maine dlsas-
ter. His testimony was regarded as i'm
portant in meeting the position Of the
Spanish commission that mine did not
explode under the Maine. as no dead fish
were found Ia the harbor Admiral Irwin
Is an expert on torpedoes and submarine
explosions. and he told the committee
that he never knew ish 10 be killed by
such explosions.
MANY CALLERS AT WHITE HOUSE.
The White House was, as usual. a CEN
tral point IN the great activity OF the day,
and the President saw many public men.
Some Of them urged upon the President
as "casus belh." the general Cuban
subject being subordlnated to ii. Among
these was Representative Marsh, Of ul-
nois, who said. after talking with tho
President:
Il went 10 see the President to tell him
that the basis OF our declaration Of war
should be the destruction Of the Maine
and the slaughter Of American sailors.
That was foul and Intentional blow at
the American people. the American flag,
and American honor. 1t was done by
Spanish authorities. 1t was this foul blow
which aroused the American people. The
general condition of affairs is d blow at
humanity. the other was blow ct u.s."
Many senator's, including members OF
the Foreign Relations Committee and
members Of the House. to-day received
kilograms from conservative business
men in their States counselling a pacific
course in regard TO Cuba. Some Of the
members commented quite vigorously re-
garding them. and the fact that they
should come simultaneously from differ
ent sections.
SPANISH WARSHIPS SAIL.
Late this afternoon the Navy Depart
ment was informed of the sailing OF
the Spanish warships Pelayo and Carlos
V, from Havr. and Toulon. France, re-
spectively, for Carthagena. Spain. The
officials suppose that these vessels have
been at the Fsench ports for some neces-
sary repairs. and are returning to Car
thagena, where there is Spanish naval
station. for such additional work on
them as may be necessary, preliminary
TO any active service they may be called
upon to perform. The Peylao has twin
screws. is 300 feet long, and of G6 feet
beam; is Of $500 tons displacement, has
a speed Of l6.7 knots, and, besides a for
midable armament. carries seven tor
pedo-tubes.
TORPEDO Defence.
Secretary Alger to-day authorized an
allotment OF 100000 from the emergency
fund for the Office Of the Chief of Engi-
neers. The entire amount will be spent
I'm purchasing material for the torpedo |
defences connected with the seacoast for
tihcations.
General Wilson. chief OF engineers. act
ed promptly as soon as he received the
allotment. and authorized the command
ing officer at Wnlett's Point. n. Y. 10
proceed Immediately to contract for the
material required. 1t will be shipped az
once 10 the places needing torpedo de-
fence. and work on such defence VIII
be pressed with all possible speed.