The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-28

took a contract for such work where the
blowing up of the wreck by dynamite was
prohibited lest important evidence be
destroyed. Even the most moderate.
strongly deprecate any more delay than
is necessary; while all agree that the
American people are not likely to forget
so readily. Rumors of this, that or the
other discovery, setting on foot this, that
or the other theory are still rife. In most
cases, when run down, they are easily
proved false. It is useless to deny that the
interest here Is much less intense than 1T
was week ago, but it is ever ready TO be
kindled into acuteness by any established
facts.
The court Of inquiry are quiet, dignl-
fled and stern. Its members are courte-
Gus, but they feel the deep responsibility
resting on them. To talk indfscreetiy
might not only cost commission. no
matter how high the rank OF the holder,
but would surely precipitate trouble either
here or in the United States. They were
not exclusive when on shore and they
dined with Consul General Lee now and
there; but the wreck was always a pro-
hibited topic.
1t is generally expected that the court of
inquiry will return after taking testi.
mony at Key West, and it is more than
probable that efforts will be made by
trusty agents, during the courts absence.
to secure other and perhaps valuable test
imony.
The arrival of.a battalion of more than
9 900 regular troops from Barcelona, as
already oabled, excited public interes
only for the day. Guns were fired and dec
orations hung, which the rain soon
spoiled. but that was all thera was Of it.
These men, SO it is alleged, are tie ad'
vance guard of G division of IL, 900 Span
ish regulars sent to take the place of the
sick and wounded who have returned tc
Spain within the last few months. If the
streets and cafes of Havana are q
criterion, Spain does not seem in need o1
any more officers
The Spaniards know that Senator Proc.
tor is close friend Of President McKin-
ley and despite his disclaimer of a political
mission they continue to attach consider
able Importance to his visit at this junct-
ure Some think that he has been sent
here by the President to make report on
the situation.
The arrival of additional divers and ap-
Daratus by the Mascotte yesterday was
hailed with satisfaction but there viii be
more confidence when couple of big tugs
that carry machinery capable of lifting
hundreds of tons heave in sight. Great
preparations are being made to welcome
the cruiser Vizcaya. Senior Rivero, editor
of La Discussion. .ssays: 'sThe general
impress on here is that the United States
court of inquiry has already decided that
the disaster to the Maine was the result
of an accident.
OF course, this is a mere assumption as
no one can have positive knowledge on
the subject.
Arrangements have been made for calls
by Senator Proctor upon General Blanco
and the other Spanish officials, but it is
expected that he will call informally upon
several during the week. Consul General
Lee will accompany him. The report that
Captain Sigsbee and tho officers of the
Maine will be reexamined in the admiral
ty court tomorrow is probably untrue,
as they have not been notified, but the
United States officials believe that Spain
he's a moral right to make such an exam
ination.
American divers under Captain Sigs-
bees direction, viii be at work on the
wreck at the same time as thess Spanish
divers and will afford them such help as
is consistent in viewing the condition of
wreckage under water.
d THE STORY AND THE DENIAL.
Key West, February 27.-The latest
story as to the way tho Maine was blown
I'D is contained in q letter forwarded by u
secret Cuban club in Havana to Mr. j..
NJ. Gown, Cuban insurgent agent here.
The club received it in ordinary course
of the mail 1t was written in English
but was signed "Maquinista" (lnachin-
ist) After long preamble saying lthat
the writer knew the Names fate was due
10 a Spanish plot, the letter goes on to
say that in an old warehouse at Santa
Catalina, 200 yards from where the Maine
was moored, some diving apparatus had
been hidden and that from this base two
divers had worked by night and filled the
torpedo holes Of the Maine with dynamite
cartridges, connecting them with wires to
the battery on the land, from which the
cartridges were exploded. According to
the letter the divers were to have been
maid a large sum, which has not been
forthcoming. The Cubans in Key West
! say that investigation in Havana has
| tended TO confirm the statements of the
letter, which will go before the court OF
inquiry. An officer of the Maine, Whose