The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-17
GOSSIP FROM HAVANA.
Members of the Court of Inquiry
Would Not TaIk-Current Belief.

Would Not TaIk-Current Belief.
HAVANA, March IS, via Key West. Fla.
With the departure of the court of in
quiry after a second visit to the scene CT
the wreck of the Maine. the tension grows
serious. The court, a body like a grand jury
in its functions, is nearly ready to report
Unless there are new discoveries, which is
unlikely, there is nothing to be done but for
the members to seclude themselves on the
Iowa and formulate the convictions already
firmly held. There is no reason to change
the belief that the the court will find that
the disaster was caused by an explosion
outside the Maine but its members have
been as secret as the grave. The chief Off
GERS have been absolutely discreet while
the talk of the divers has been contradic-
tory From numbers of bits of evidence that
have come out during the three weeks ex-
animation it seems as sure as anything in
this latitude can be that the plans before
the court show the ship was broken in two
and the forward part rent asunder by an
explosion from the outside.
Captain Sampson intimated to the corre-
spondent yesterday that the testimony was
"gratifyingly complete" This might mean
that an accidental cause had been dscov-
cred, but the indications are all the other
way. No one believes that any Spanish Off
Gals or officers of rank will be impli-
Gated, whatever may be the findings of the
court Captain Sampson before said the
courts departure was not due to orders
received, but on the decision of the mem
bers themselves.
1t is hoped that now, with the added ia
cilities, and the others that are to come,
work will be advanced with greater rapidity
on the Maine.
| Spaniards and Cubans alike are greatly
interested in discussing the forthcoming
| elections and their probable results, wheth-
| er the Conservatives will vote at all, wheth-
or racial differences outside the city of Ha-
vana will be fatal to the hopes of au-
tonomy and whether the outcome will be
the death knel of the autonomous regime
in Cuba. The volunteers are apparently
more quiet, though many Of the leaders are
angered by private advices from Madrid to
the effect that Senior Sagasta is as firmly
resolved as ever on their disarmament, but
believes the publication of his intentions
now premature. and therefore, conceals his
real purpose.
The local newspapers jubilantly publish
cable dispatches from Europe declaring the
triple alliance as we'll as Russia and
France have notified the United States that
interference
Emperor William seems especially relied on
to prevent intervention.
Yesterday Senior Congosto, the secretary
received by the th 9He the Prnee
OF Wales had declared England would sup
port the United States and would intervene
with her Heet If necessary. He was also in
formed that, in consequence of this, Eng
llsh flags were flying everywhere in New
York city, English plays being presented in
and other British national airs rendered by
all the orchestras. Senior Congosto did not
however, get a confirmation of this story
from either the American or British con-
suls, though this correspondent has seen
cable messages from London to several
English tobacco merchants telling them to
leave the island at once, and that war
seems inevitable
The Associated Press correspondent at
Matanzes tells sad story. not only of the
the bureaucratic methods of the Spanish
othcials place In the way of the relief even
OF those who are actually starving. For in
stance, a bridge has to be crossed in con-
veying the stores from the vessel to the
warehouse. The local authorities actually
tried TO charge toll for each carload and
We're only prevented by an order from the
Governor. Except for the bomberos local
fireman) 1t is feared the local organizations
will be partial in the work of distribution
each man trying to favor his own friends.
Advices from Sagua la Grande are meager,
but 1T is fair to assume that the same con-
dtions of things exists there. Fortunately
Consul Brice, at Mantanzas, and Consul
Barker, at Sagua. are energetic men who
know the situation and have the confidence
of the people and authorities. They will do
all they can to speed the work of relief
Ii it happens that the better class of poor
brush up their seedy clothing or have shoes
left to wear when appealing for relief they
are apt to be headed off by the Spanish
officials with the remark: You are clean.
you wear shoes and you do not need help
But relief is being systemized all over the
island. Havana included, and better results
are attained each day.
General Blanco gave a banquet at the
palace tonight to the officers of the Viz
caya and the Almirante Oquendo. The high
officials of the autonomous government
We're present.
The report is circulated here that Spain
has requested the United States to remove
| the fleet now at the Dry Tortugas and Key
West to a greater distance from the Cuban
coast on the ground that it's presence in
| terferes with the efforts of the autonomists
| to induce the insurgents to lay down their
| arms.
The divers to-day got out several six
| pound guns and one-pounder, and also one
| six-inch gun.
| Senator Money and the other members of
| the congressional party still here expect to
| leave for Key West tomorrow on the Buc-
cancer.
| The hour of the Montgomery's departure
| tomorrow has not been fixed. Two uniden-
| titled bodies were sent to Key West to-day
on the Olivette.
TELL-TALE PIECE OF WIRE.