The herald., 1898-03-05

approximate date for the conclusion of its
investigation into the disaster to the
Maine.
Sharing the general anxiety for some in
formation on this point. Secretary Long
today, at the instance of the cabinet, sent
telegram to Admiral Sicard, asking him
when 1t was probable that the reports Of
the court would be made and late tonight
the following reply was received:
KEY WEST, Fla, March 4.-Secretary of
the Navy: Have talked with the president
Of the court of inquiry and agree with him
that 1t is not yet possible to fix date for
the finding, as so much depends upon the
progress of the divers and wreckers and
the results they obtain. Every effort is
being made to advance the inquiry. The
court returns to Havana by the Mangrove
this evening. having about finished the in
vestigation at Key West. (Signed)
SICARD.
Admiral SicardS message Is regarded Of
flciaiy as disposing of the reports that the
court has as yet obtained positive or
conclusive Information bearing upon the
object of their Investigation. 1t Is taken to
mean that upon the testimony or discover
les of the divers will depend the finding.
the examination Of the officers and crew OF
the ship having been insufficient to enable
the court to even form an idea as to what
lines may be opened up from the investiga-
tion of the wreck itself
BACK TO HAVANA
KEY WEST March 4-After two post
ponements of It's departure, the court OF
inquiry left for Havana this evening in the
ligh house tender Mangrove. 1t is be-
lieved by the best informed here that the
court will complete Its labors in the Cuban
capital within ten days. Only three of the
six days the court was here were devoted
to the work of investigation. The inactiv-
ity Of yesterday and today Is still unex-
10. A.. A-t-
that Rear Admiral Sicard was awaiting in
structions from Washington. The ses-
sions, 1t is generally understood, developed
no evidence by which the court could def
nitely determine the cause of the explo-
sion. A naval officer in close touch with
the members of the court said to the corre-
spondent:
with one exception, the witnesses who
testified here were Maine survivors. The
evidence, though, in most cases taking
longer to tell, can be summed up in the
words of an enlisted man who, when Judge
Advocate Mark asked him what he knew
about the explosion. replied: "Sir. was
blown up; was saved, and I'm here"
THAT was all he could swear to-"
One important fact has been learned,
however 1t Is that although the MEM
bers of the court may have their individual
theories, they are by no means prepared as
body to render decisive verdict. The
official already quoted said: IF the court
has yet heard any testimony which would
enable 1t to decide intelligentiy that the
Maine was blown up from external causes
am the most mistaken man In the world.
Before the coming Havana sessions are
over 1t may secure such evidence. and pos
sibly find that the blowing up was inten-
tional. 1t will learn from the divers the
actual condition of the ship after the ex-
plosion, as It has already learned from the
survivors most Of the details of the ships
condition. before the explosion. With
these bases thoroughly established the
court will hear more expert theoretical tes-
timony and then reach verdict"
This statement can be taken as more
worthy of reliance than that of the Maine
officer who said the other day that he be-
lieved the court was bound on evidence
already heard to find the cause of the ex-
plosion external. Its conservatism is also
at variance with the opinions of many
other naval officers here, especially those
of tile younger set, and directly contrary
to the belief of most of the Maine survi-
vors that their ship was Intentionally
blown up
Before sailing tonight Captain Sampson
had long consultation with Admiral ST.
card.
WORK ON THE WRECK
HAVANA. March 4.-The American d.
NciS, having eAdullHeU more OF less tnOr-
oughly the ward room of the Maine and
the senior and junior officers mess rooms.
are today trying to effect an entrance into
the petty officers compartment, in the
hope of finding some bodies there. How
ever, each day the belief grows stronger
that few II any more bodies will be recov-
cred. Not one body was recovered today.
Captain Sharp. who is in charge of the
Merritt & Chapman wrecking outf1t, ap-
foc ho diffiCu1ffoc 0F <1o c{%,
better than Others He will not specify
any time when the big guns will be re-
leased. 1t Is necessary first to remove the
top of the turrets. These are held in place
by steel bolts, which must be cut loose.
The best informed people here think a
month will elapse before the turrets are
opened.
In the meantime work on the minor de-
tails of the wreck will proceed with all
possible speed.
The correspondent has been Officially in
formed that the United States lighthouse
tender Mangrove, with the naval court of
inquiry on board, will return here tomor-
row morning.
The discipline on board the Spanish
cruiser Vizcaya is very high, which greatly
gratifies the Spaniards.
Senator Proctor. General Fitzhugh Lee,
Captain Sigsbee and many other prominent
Americans attended the ceremonies of dec
Grating the graves Of the Names dead to-
day.
A hurricane which swept over the port
of Batabano, on the south coast of Cuba,
opposite Havana, has done great damage.
1t destroyed a hut in which were quartered
a number of soldiers belonging to the Cas-
lillian battalion. killing two of the men and
wounding twenty-five others. Thousands
Of trees were swept away and the ships in
the harbor were obliged to put hurriedly
to sea in order to avoid being wrecked.
TIME AND MONEY
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Senator Hale
has received from Secretary Long a re-
ply to the letter recently sent by him as
chairman of the committee on naval af-
fairs, resquenting the secretary's opinion
upon the resolution introduced on Wash