Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-03-31
A SUMMARY or THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
Complete ExonerafiOn of the War
ships Crew-No Evidence Found
which 10 Base Responsibility
for the Crime-The Finding Is
Unanimously signed.

| the handling Of official papers. 1Ae re-
| port is made up of eight parts, as fol-
/ lows:
/ First-The court lrds thar at the time
/ of the explosion the battleship Maine was
| lying Ia five and one-half to six fathoms of
| water
second-The discipline aboard the ship
was excellent, everything slowed accord
ing to orders-ammunitiOn, guns, stores
/ etc. The temperature of the magazines at
| eight p. m. was normal except in the after
ten-inch magazine. and that did not ex-
| plode
| Third-The explosion occurred at $40
| O'Clock on the evening OF February Is.
| There were two explosions, with very
short interval between them: the ship lifted
! on the first explosion.
Fourth-The court can form no definite
/ opinion of the condition of the wreck from
the divers evidence.
Fifth-There are technical details of the
/ wreckage from which the court deduces
that a mine was exploited under the ship
on the port side
Sixth-The explosion was due to no fault
of those on board.
Seventh-In the opinion of the court the
explosion of the mine caused the explosion
Of the two magazines.
Eighth-The court declares that 1t can
not lind evidence to fix the responsibility.
Report Is Unanimous.
The report is unanimous and is signed
by all the members ofthe court.
1t does not refer to the existence or
nonexistence OF the mine in the harbor
Of Havana except in the specific find
ing that mine was exploded under the
ship, and the opinion that the explosion
of the two magazines was caused by
the explosion of a mine.
Confer on the Crisis.
Washington, March 2s.-On no pre-
vious sunday since the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States as
sumed an acute aspect has there been
such anxiety felt in official circles as
on yesterday. From early in the morn
ing until late at night the president
held conferences with the closest of his
advisers in congress and the legislative
branch OF the government. So neces-
sary was it for the president TO utilize
every moment in consultation and in
he preparation of official communica-
tons lie did not attend church. While
the congregation with whom he sits
every Sunday was listening to the fare
well sermon of their pastor, the presi-
dent, worn by the anxiety of the past
few days, was sitting in the cabinet
room with majority of the members
of his official family gathered about
him.
The Presidents Policy.
On the part of the administration it is
stated that the development of the
situation will not require a great length
OF time, and hence that there will be no
extended delay. A policy has been
fully determined upon by the president.
II is TO bring the Cuban war to a close.
This will be accomplished by pointed
Intervention if necessary, but it is con-
sidered far preferable that the end
should come as the result of peaceful
negotiations than that ii should be ac-
companied by hostile demonstrations
on the part of the United States. Hence
/ the disposition of the president is to
give Spain a fair opportunity to secure
an armistice with the Cubans and to al
! low her reasonable time in which to
come to an understanding with the
hostiles.
plan Adopted by spain.
Madrid, March 2s.-Spain has taken
stand which is apparently not cred
i tied in the United States. The gov
eminent has givena decision that it will
neither accept money offer for Cuba
nor will ii permit the so-called friendly
intervention in Cuban affairs by the
United States. With equal emphasis
the government has declared that 1t
cannot consider the payment of any
/ claim for damages growing out OF the
loss of the Maine. This demand is con
sidered by ali as derogatory 10 the ma
/ tional dignity. This decisive action has
been communicated 10 Minister Wood
ford by Senior Gullon.
After these decisions there can be
little further parley between the two
governmei 5, 1t remains for the United
states 10 decide whether She will give
provocatiop which Spain announces she
cannot pass unnoticed
blocks Relief Plans.
Havana. March Is Senior Bruson
civil governor of Havana. acting under
Blanco's orders, has taken the first Sc
rious step to resist the efforts Of the
/ United States to feed the starving re
concentrates and prevent the deeima
tion Of women and children hy hopeless
war.
He has is ned orders to alcaldes ii
this province, in which they were in
structed TO refuse TO inquirers all in
formation regarding the number. loca
tion, condition or deaths Of reconcsn
TRADE and 70 inform persons applying
for formation that the government
woulu care for those who are in need.
saEasta Retains Hts Power.
Madrid. March 2S.-The parliamen
tary elections that were held yesterday
have gone by a large majority in favo
of the liberals. the party now in power
Very little interest was manifested il
.. Madrid. and the polling booths were al
most deserted. Most all the candidate.