The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-10
MONTGOMERY BY THE MAINE.
THE CRUISER IN THE CENTER OF A
CIRCLE OF SPANISH SHIPS.

SaIutes and Is SaIuted-COmmander
of the Cruiser a High Authority
on Explosives and His Advise Ex-
pected TO BE Useful to the Board
of Inquiry-Capt. Sigsbee, Lieut..
Commander Wainwright and En-
sign POwelson to Occupy Quarters
ON the Montgomery.
Havana, March e.-The United States
cruiser Montgomery arrived here at 9:S5
o'clock this morning. The arrival here
of the Montgomery was very quiet, it be-
ing generally understood that she comes
to replace the coast survey steamer Fern
as quarters for Capt. Sigsbee and others.
Commander Converse of the Montgom-
cry is high authority on explosives and
his advice will be useful to the court of
inquiry into the loss of the Maine.
After firing the usual salute and being
saluted in return, the Montgomery was
moored In the principal harbor near the
wreck of the Maine and in the center of
a circle of Spanish ships.
Later in the day, Commander Converse
received the Associated Press correspond
ent on board the cruiser and treated him
graciously, though he had nothing to tell
him beyond the facts already sent. He
seemed satisfied to have a rest in Havana
harbor for awhile, as the cruiser has been
very busy touching at West Indian ports
lately
Capt. Sigsbee, Lieut.. Commander Vain
wright and Ensign Powelson will occupy
quarters on the Montgomery, the Fern
leaving Havana this afternoon. The Mont
gomery is as trim and neat as possible.
| Nobody is allowed on board without per-
mission. but no one is excluded if business
or courtesy demands the admission of the
visitor. There is no indication of the
| length of the cruisers stay in this harbor,
any more than there is any news of the
duration of the sessions of the court of
inquiry here. The court held Its usual ses-
sions to-day, examining the divers. Only
the Spanish divers were at work and they
were occupied but part of the day. The
wreckers are steadily removing the upper
debris of the wreck some of which will
be dumped into the sea. Other portions of
| the wreck are worth saving.
| Senator Proctor left here to-day for Key
West, and will go to Miami by to-mor-
rows steamer.
Consul General Lee says there was moth
ing of Importance in the mail matter
which he has just received from the Unit
ed States
The Olivette's passenger list of incomers
was small, and her outgoing list Of pas
sengers is not as large as usual.
A Spanish column under Col. Tejeda ac-
cording to a Spanish report, has captured
several intrenched insurgent camps In the
Manzanillo district, including the camp of
Ell Chine. The troops, the Spaniards add,
killed nine men, made three prisoners and
captured IAN armory with many tools, and
destroyed many great huts and hospitals" F"
There was another engagement between
the opposing forces II appears, at La ST.
ezra, and the insurgents are alleged 10
have lost over 100 men, while the Spanish
colonel reports only two of his men killed
and fifteen wounded.
There will be an important meeting to-
night of the central committee of the Con-
seryative party The Marquis ApteZsu uia,
who will preside, will it is announced, Eek
pose the proposition that the Conscrva-
tjves should take part in the elections. %
1t is generally admitted that majority
of the Conservatives are unwilling to take
part in the elections, though the colonial
or autonomic government will reserve six
teen places for the Conservatives in. the
colonial congress If they participate in the
elections.
| A further examination of the divers oc-
cupied the court of inquiry to-day. The
sessions were not long and it would be
hard for any one not possessed of inside
Information to tell what keeps the MEM
bers here unless 1t be that they are wait
ing until the divers are able to examine
and report upon portions of the hull al
| ready engulfed in the harbor mud
The Fern left for Key West tonight,
Americans here are greatly pleased al
! the prompt action of Congress in passing
the defense bill, every one regarding the
appropriation as a wise MEASURE in time
of peace.
Hnry Laine, the American correspond
ent. has been expelled from the island
He left on the Plant Line steamer Olvette
at noon to-day. There have been further
arrests on the charge of conspiracy.
An entertainment and social n,tior
for the benefit of the Spanish navy Is be-
ing arranged to take place at the TheateI
Tacon Several boxes have been sold al
$3.50 each. and the loges have been disposed
Of at $53 each.
Louis Klopsch, proprietor of the Chris
tian Herald of New York city, arrived or
the Ward Line steamer Seguranca to-
day. He is one of the three commission.
ers appointed by President Mckinley tC
supervise the collection of relief fund
and is here to see Consul General Lee and
; Miss Clara Barton, and to observe the dis
tribution of the relief.
LEE IN GOOD HUMOR.
Ina,,,austratfon | Auafnsf Hin, nv Al.