The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-01

in connection with the work on the
Maine. The other is as follows: Div
ers report more bodies in the wreck.
some are in their hammocks, involved
IN debris. probably not recognizable"
This dispatch indicates that the div
FRS have finally secured at least a
partial entrance to the quarters in the
forward part Of the vessel where the
crew were asleep when the explosion
, occurred, and under which were the
magazines. The fact hat the divers
were unable to extricate the bodies
shows the fearful obstacle againss
which they are laboring and bears cut
the belief that the work of submari IL
investigation will necessarily proceed
slowly.
MCKINLEY TO ACT VIGOROUSLY
IF TREACHERY IS PROVEN.
st. Louis, February 24.-General VIII
liam H. Powell, of Belleville, Who vas
in command of the regiment in winch
President Mckinley served during the
civil war, n who was recently ap-
pointed collector of internal revenue
for the southern Illinois district, re-
turned from Washington today. The
general who is a personal friend of
President Mckinley, said that while
at the capital, he discussed the Maine
disaster and its possible results, with
the chief executive. THE president
stated to me-" said the general, that
he was only waiting for a complete re-
port Of the naval board Of inquiry, and
that should it report that our sailors
had met their death through Spanish
treachery he was prepared to act at
once, and in a manner which would
meet the approval of every loyal Amer
lean citiZen.'
General Powell said preparations for
war were being pushed with the ut
most vigor and added: Il am con-
vince that President Mckinley is the
right man in the right place and that
as soon as Spanish treachery has been
proven his policy will be rigid enough
to meet the approval even of the most
pronounced jingoes."
WITNESSES BEFORE THE COURT.
Havana, February 24.-The court of
inquiry held it's usual session today.
Captain Sampson reports that Chap
lain ChldWlck was anil as to his
personal experiences at the time of the
disaster to the Maine, and that the
testimony was taken of the captain Of
a British bark in the harbor and the
superintendent Of the West Indian Oil
Works, across the bay at Regla, both
vi Vic ca oSi VII
Rolf, the British engineer of the float
ing dock in the harbor, wrote a letter
to the court, but, it is said, did not d
anything material to what was known.
At the afternoon session the divers
were examined more fully than before.
Their testimony IS taken from day to
day. The court expects now to finish
here today and to sail on the MangrOve
for Key West, where the other officers
and men will be examined.
, The wrecking tug Right Arm did not
go north, as vas eXl ecteE yesterday.
She is now mOOred beside the poop of
the wreck, and will salve The smaller
portions as far as possible in advance
Of the arrival Of other tugs with bet
ter facilities for heavy work.
Chaplain Chadwick reports hat all
the wounded here are doing well except
Frederick c.. HOlzer, of New York, who
may die at any moment.
Neither the officers. of the court of
inquiry nor the witnesses will give the
slightest indication Gf the testimony or
the conclusions de iIcible from it. and
all say that the men employed on the
wreck have been warned to observe
an equally strict reticence. This course
is regarded as eminentiy wise by the
: American and all intelligent Spanish
officials, as there is no telling wha,
passions might be aroused OF what
! evil results might be brought about by
talking freely on official matters in the
present state of public feeling in Ha-
vana. Thus far Americans are treated
with the utmost courtesy and kindness,
and it seems the special care of the res
idents of Havana to show friendlincss.
Consul General Lee says there is no
truth i'm the report that he has asked
Captain General Blanco to dismiss
from Cuba certain newspaper men
for sending sensational stories to the
United States On the contrary Gen
eral Lee has never interferred with the
American newspaper men in any way
General SOlano, the second chief Of
staff, today returned oil board the
Mangrove the visit 70 the court of in
quiry, acting as the representative OF
! the governor general. Admiral Man
| terola personally returned the visit t
him by the court. The Thursday re
ceptions of General BlancO were re
Sumed his evening.
THE SUBTERRANEAN PASSAGE.
In connection with the claim mad
! by the Cubans that there are mine gal.
leries under the harbor of Havana
leading from subterranean passages
and known to have existed for year.
between Fort Cabanas. Moro CoStlt
and this port, the Spaniards explain
that for over a century a sub~terranaar
passage about Two miles long an,
eight feet at its ~narrowest diameter
capable of giving passage 10 a column
OF troops has existed from the navy
yard to Castillo del Principe. B.. tn,
STsniards further assert, the exjs enc
CT this passage vas not known - tn
present authorities Or to thCs- Nhs
nave been in power for many year
past. The entrances and exits. i i
added, have been closed for years By
thick walls now covered with deDri.
and their exact location is said TO 81
lost. At the same time il IS ad!nittcc
that the records regarding the suDt=r
ranean passage can be found in oil
documents in the archives Of Havana
Finally. the S~paniards insist that tni
passage does not go under the harbo
"a any point
The session Of the court OF fnquir'
this afternoon was devoted TO takin!
the testimony Of two civilians, Ameri
cars, who saw the explosion frOni al
deck Of the Ward Line steamer Cit,