New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-01
THE COURT OF INQUIRY

IHE COURI OF lNNUlR I.
WORK OF TAKING TESTIMONY AT KEY
WEST BEGUN.
ELEVEN MEN EXAMINED AT THE FIRST DAYS
sEssIoNs-sEcREcY CLOSELY MAINTAINED
AN OFFICERS oPINIoN-AN ORDER
FoRBIDDTNG SOLDIERS IN
TOWN REsCINDED
Key West. Feb. 2S-The United States Court
of Inquiry into the loss Of the battle-ship Maine
began its sessions here this morning The Court
opened shortly after 10 o'clock. Lieutenant
Blandn the first witness called. He was
before the Court for about hour
The naval officers sat in Judge Locke's private
chambers off the main courtroom. No marines
were guard. but all the doors closed.
No enlisted examined during the
morning session. Those who called az
witnesses before the luncheon recess were Lieu
tenants Blandin. Hood, Jungen and Boat and
Cadets Bronson and Boyd. The officers Of the
Maine lounged around the big courtroom until
summoned to give testimony.
The luncheon adjournment was taken at !
o'clock.
Lieutenant Commander Mark. who received
the list OF witnesses said the inquiry pro-
crossing well.
Testimony will bA taken ACCORDING to Its rela-
| tive Importance and not according to the rank
Of the witness.
MORE TESTIMONY TAKEN.
The Court reconvened at o'clock this after
noon Lieutenant Holman. who testified at Ha-
vana, was again called Lieutenant Of Marines
Catlin gave his evidence quickly. and was fol-
lowed by BoatsNan Larkin. Gunner Hill and
| Carpenter Holms. The two latter on shore
at the time OF the explosion and could tell little
| OF value.
At $40 the Court adjourned until tomorrow
morning at 10 Judge Advocate Mark said:
The stenographers have all they transcribe
! in record form. and there is Of our work
ing longer to-day" In reply 70 question as
! TO what would be done with witness when no
! longer OF service to the Court he said no de-
cison had been reached that point. but one
would be shortly
Captain Sampson seemed satisfied with the
days work but said that nothing coul,. be
! given out
After the courtroom c.eLred for the day
Captain Sampson had short interview with
Rear Admiral Sicard and then returned TO the
Iowa. Captain Chadwick ard Lieutenant Com
mander Potter were taken on board the New
York.
AN OFFICERS OPINION.
Few know more than known this morn
| ing An officer OF the Maine however who had
been examined by the Court during the day,
talked at length with the correspondent OF the
Associated Press.
IL can't tell you" he said. what line Of ques-
tionng adopted. but the Court will find.
believe. that the Maine blown up by design.
though / don't think 1t will be able TO ascertain
exactly how. The Courts finding Will be based
on negative rather than positive evidence.
"By this mean that all the testimony heard
so far has. bit by bit, frustrated the theories
OF those who think the explosion was Of internal
origin This negative evidence is so strong and
80 general that see no possibility OF the Courts
| deciding that the explosion was internal
The only alternative then left for the Court
is to fan back on evidence which points to the
| intentional blowing up Of the Maine This
| think will be done, unless tho Court formulates
a theory Of It's own. or declares that It does not
| know how the disaster occurred both Of which
conjectures think improbable"
AS bearing on the value Of the opinion OF the
officer In question II must be borne In mind that
he was before the court for about fifteen min
utes only, and that he has al all times expressed
himself az confident THAI the Names fate was
| not due 10 an accident
MEMBERS OF COURT REFUSE TO SPEAK.
Members OF the court when the substance of
| the interview brought to their attention.
| declined to have anything TO say. All 'ne high
| naval and military officials here. when asked
crucial questions invariably relapsed into
| state Of polite ignorance.
| Shortly after the commencement OF the after
noon session a heavy wind and rain squall came
I'D. and throughout the evening 1t has been
showery and gusty
The order issued to-day forbidding soldiers
TO 20 into town. rescnded this afternoon.
No explanation has been furnished and there
seems TO be some mystihcation over this alleged
unprecedented occurrence. 1t appears that the
order not only forbade the enlisted men from
leaving the reservation. but confined them to
their quarters.
At the regular muster and Inspection held
early IN the day particular attention was be-
slowed on the post conmanuer OH 'he h'e"
marching kits.
The United States cruiser Detroit sailed 10 the
Tortueas to-day. with provisions for the fleet
KEEN INTEREST SHOWN.
Tho Young officers and civilians who yester
dav talked lightly Of war are hushed into silence.
In place OF idle speculation as to the possbili-
| ties of war there exists keen. patriotic in
terest in the origin Of the present situation, the
loss OF the Maine and the cause OF the disas-
ter. which had wellnigh been lost sight OF in
the subsequent flood OF conjecture regarding
| international complications Those VINO be-
lieyed the reports from Havana saying that the
court had already decided that the loss Of the
Maine was due to treachery. have apparently
changed their minds. for to-day the universal
orastion is What has the court found out?"