The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-03-02
TORPEDO'S WORK
Cause Of the Wreck Of the Maine. virtu-
ally known
MISSILE FROM THE OUTSIDE


The Court Of Inquiry has determined
TO return to Havana for further in
vesrIgaiion, il being satisfied as to the
cause Of the Names explosion. What
ever viii be the report of this Court. the
divers who have examined the wreck are
satisfied that the terrible disaster was due
TO an explosion from without the battle
ship, and they have so testified II is be-
lieved that the cause of the explosion
was torpedo and not submarine mine.
War preparations throughout the United
States are being pushed with great rap
idity. All reserve guns at Washington
will be Immediately hurried TO New
York, with which To equip the ocean lin
ers, which are subsidized by our Govern
ment. All the arsenals are hurrying
their work. over thousand men are to
be added to the navy. The war feeling
is growing in Madrid. and while the
newspapers and people are demanding
war. the Spanish stock and money mar
kets are going down. A report is expect
ed from the Court of Inquiry by next
Thursday, and then the President will
make a demand for indemnity, which
Spain will acknowledge and pay, it is be-
lieved, in diplomatic circles. Should the
there viii be war, and all our prepara-
tions are made with the view of prompt
ly seizing Cuba.
Senator Sherman stated Saturday that
the Administration was considering the
amount Of indemnity to be demanded
from Spain; the fact that the battleship
Maine was blown up by a torpedo from
the outside being now generally accepted
in Washington circles, though not Off
cially.
The preparations that we are making
TO be in a position 30 enforce our demand
for reparstion are going on hurriedly.
The cruisers Minneapolis and Columbia
now at League Island, Philadelphia, are
fast being made ready. and the Monitor
Terror left Hampton Roads for New York
Saturday. A new gun for the defense of
Washington, d. c.. was tested yesterday
and threw a shot seven miles.
Spain is being thoroughly aroused and
preparations for war are being pushed
there. Fearing an uprising in Havana,
Blaneo is bringing reinforcements from
the field into the city.
NO HURRYING THE REPORT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S.-Though it was
said last week that the President expect
ed 10 receive the report of the naval
board of inquiry as to the cause of the
wreck of the Maine not later than next
Thursday, the Navy department now
gives out that any statements as to the
probable date OF its arrival are only
speculative and that the Secretary him
self has no knowledge of the time when
it may be expected. The opinion still
obtains that the administration is in no
b lrry 70 get this report, the object in de-
laying being the gaining OF time in which
TO make the preparations for the course
of action the facts found 10y the board
may make necessary.
But, while this is true of the President
and his Cabinet, the same energy does
not seem 10 pervade the leaders in the
House. The bill for two additional ar
tillery regiments passed the Senate on
February p, and was promptly reported
from the House Committee ON Military
Affairs.
Members of Congress are daily receiv-
ing letters from their districts containing
1 offers to enlist, and they have told the
President that he will have no trouble in
getting all the soldiers he wants should
war ensue.
At the close of Office hours this tele
gram came to the Navy department nom
Admiral Sicard at Key West: Court of
inquiry will commence sessions at Key
West to-day. They must resume session
at Havana to obtain evidence of divers
after further work upon the wreck"
This communication sets at rest rumors
that the court was not TO return 10 Ha-
vana for the reason that it had discovered
the cause Of the sinking of the Maine,
which was not an accident, and that they
had consequently no further business in
Havana The court will be occupied at
! Key West for some days in taking the
testimony of survivors there. Then,
upon the return to Havana, it is expected
that good deal of time must elapse be-
fore the divers can get through the mud
which now encompasses the lower part
of the wreck of the Maine and examine
the bottom.