The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-19

Did the Yesuvius bring the final Of
fetal report Of the Maine Court of In
Quiry?' was question that was on many
lips last night. The exclusive announce
ment in The Times that the dynamite
cruiser was on her way up the Potomac
created a stir in naval circles. and many
persons We're Of the opinion that she had
brought the report.
The Nesuvius, however. did not come to
Washington last night, but lay at Indian
Head AT the navy yard Commodore Nor
ton said that he expected the vessel this
morning. but refused 10 discuss the possi-
bility of the report being on board.
Despite the non-commital attitude of
the commandant of the navy yard. it was
learned that yesterday. when the Vesu-
Hius passed the capes. a message was
sent Immediately 10 the navy yard an
nouncing it. According to the electrician
at the navy yard the launch Triton was
dispatched at once down the river TO
meet the expected cruiser.
II was said that the Yesuvius carried
no pilot, and that as the channel is very
rreacherous, the launch would precede
be impracticable at night.
The Triton came back to the navy yard
about O'Clock. 1t was rumored that she
had stopped at the Arsenal before pro-
ceeding to her usual landing place Why
she should have gone 10 Indian Head and
then returned in such a hurry. leaving
the Kesuvius there, was cause for con-
siderable comment. It was asserted that
unless there was real necessity for her
to return to this city with messages or
dispatches, she would have lain beside
the cruiser all night and started for
Washington early this morning.
At the marine barracks an officer was
found who was not so reticent as Com
modore Norton. He said:
There are several good reasons why
the Vesuvius might have been used to
bring the report OF the court She had
been ordered TO Washington TO have her
guns overhauled. and left Key West on
the same day that the court arrived there
from Havana. What more natural than
that Admiral Sicard should send the re-
port by her2 It would not then be nee
essary 10 detail an officer TO leave the
feet in order to get it to Washington.
However, even supposing that Lieut.
Commander Mark were made the mes
senger, why should he not have come OF
the Nesuvius? He would certainly be Sc
cure from any chance Of an accident. ant
even II he died en- route the report woulC
be in safe hands. Then, in these days o
battleship explosions, stolen letters an,
other almost incomprehensible things. NJ
person could tell what might befau :
messenger who was coming by rail. an,
whom many persons would know wa.
carrying probable cause Of war in hi
pocket"
Why should such great secrecy be oh
served here in Washington?" the office
was asked.
Wen. the President may have what h
considers good and sufficient reasons 70
not wishing Spain to know that he ha
the report. Even If Mark came on tn
Nesuvius, you nor no one else would b
likely to see him in Washington. for
Mr.. Mckinley wished to keep the who'll
thing a secret for a few days. he or an
other messenger could be sent right bacl
10 his ship before anybody knew he ha,
been here. II that report was brough
by an officer from the feet. he coul,
have left the VesUyius on the Triton
come To this city and delivered the re
port 10 Secretary Long and then starte,
South again on late train. or. for that
matter. he could 20 carly this morning
You may rest assured that the vesuviu.
did not steam by Newport News and
Norfolk at tweuty-knot speed for moth
ing She had At least very important
dispatches for the authorities"
No official OF the Navy Department
would confirm the rumor last night tha-
the report had been received. bur Their,
was none who would say positively tha
il was not SO, or that 1t was very un
likely.
Important developments are expec,e,
today.
TO CURE 4 COLD IN ONE DAY
Take ava tive Tg~Der~ n-.F-s-- ~,