The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-24
WON'T BE SCIENTIFIC.


La Lucha Criticizes the Inquiry Court
Report.
Havana, March 23-Miss Clara Barton,
president of the American branch of the
Red Cross society left for New York to-
day on the Koy West mail steamer. 1t
was not known until this morning that
she intended to do SO. Miss Barton says
the cause of her departure is purely per-
sonal and has to do with private financial
matters.
Mics Barton expects to go to Washing
ton and expresses the hope that she would
soon be able to return to Cuba. DR..
Lesser and Mrs. Lesser will defer their
departure until Saturday, but DR.. Egan
left by the mail steamer. Bishop Manuel
Santandery Trutoas the Bishop of Havana
has consecrated the central relief station
and also the Lee Orphanage. He paid
high tributes to MIR. Louis Klopsch, the
special commissioner for his system of re-
lief work, and seemed greatly pleased
with all the arrangements made TO help
the poor as we'll as the orphans.
La Lucha, in an editorial under the
caption of expectation in the world main
tains that the American court of inquiry
not give scientific report of the Maine
disaster.
"American naval officers,'' says La
Lucha, "are not likely to decide against
brother officers. The divers could not
give expert testimony owing to the fact
that the machinery was imbedded four
feet In the mud 1t is greatly to be re-
eretted that more time and care were not
given to the preparation Of a report for
which the whole world waits and which
is likely, TO change the entire feelings OF
part of the American people towards
Spain and Cuba.
La Lucha publishes also an interview
with Consul General Lee, which quotes
him as saying that he knows nothing of
the nature of the report, but is satisfied
that General Blanco never conceived the
disaster until he heard the shock in the
harbor.
Gunner Morgan left for the fleet at Key
West today. Withshim went Naval Divers
Fisher RundqEest and Schluter with
Hanze, the helper. Hanze belongs to the
fern and has been i'll. This leaves two
navy divers and five civilians on the
work The body of a white man was
found in the forward part of the wreck
today. 1t will probably be identified by
marks on the clothing when the latter
has been disinfected. Tie body was sent
to Key West on the Olivette.
No ortlors have yet been received by the
Maine ffi ,erS here TO go north
Four led Cross society nurses are ex-
pectsd to arrive by the Ward line steamer
today.
RESPONSIBILITY CAN'T BE q
PLACED.
Washington, March 23.-The remarks
attributed to Admiral Sicnrd at Key West
yesterday to the effect that the case of the
Maine was perhaps the most peculiar IN
the history of modern times is interpreted
her as clearly indicating that the direot
responsibility for the explosion cannot be
placed. During the progress of the in
vestigation the law officers of the govern.
ment have been giving the legal side OF
the question their close attention, and the
statement is made that the case of tie
Maine is indeed peculiar, The records it
is said, do not show that ever before in
the intercourse of nations has a vessel of
one power bean destroyed in the waters of
another without the case of the disaster
and the responsibility for it being known
beyond dispute by any other nation.