New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-02
SECOND DAY AT KEY WEST
ENGINEER OFFICERS TESTIFY BEFORE
THE COURT.
MAY RETURN TO HAVANA To-DAY-rHE PRO-
cEEDINos AS rsl-AL sEcRET-BUerAL OF
VICTIMS WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE
NJ LOCAL DEMONSTRATION

Key West March 1.-The second days session
here of the United States Court % Inquiry into
the loss Of the batte-ship Maine in the haroor
Of Havana on February - began in the United
States District Court House shortly after I'D
O'Clock this morning Most Of the officers VINO
were examined yesterday had been Informed
that they might b. recalled and therefore the
lieutenants and cadets Of the lost wsrship were
all on hand. though it IL reported that they will
not be re-examned until the Court returns from
its second visit 10 Havana. Groups Of enlisted
men also gathered about the courtroom door.
awaiting their turn to be examined. As was tho
yesterday the Court sat in the private
room Of Judge Locke
A good part ~ the time ~ the Court to-day
was devoted 70 verifying the testimony previ-
ously given. the stenographers reading their Of
fetal transcripts Of the evidence and the wit
nesses confirming their correctness
Apparently only few vital questions were
asked, the morning being seemingly devoted 70
routine work
Following the custom at the previous sessions
o. the Court. all the witnesses were sworn not
10 reveal any part % the proceedings
The Court adjourned for luncheon a. 1910
p. m. after examining four engineer officers and
eight enlisted men ~ the Maine Those exam
ined were Passed Assistant Engineer Morris,
Assistant Engineer Bowers Cadets Engineer
DIVISION Washington and Crenshav.
JudgeAdvocate Mark said
We have done good work and clearing UP
here In great shape. We may get through to-
night"
The aftern0 on session of the Court began at
o'clock. and an adjournment taken about {
until 10 tomorrow morning. The whole number
OF enlisted men examined during the day is ten.
SENSATIONAL STORY DENIED
The report that remnants or a submarine
mine alleged to have been raised by the United
States naval divers al Havana with the eectri-
cal wires in which they rad been entangled.
were brought here SUNDAY by the Mangrova.
and are now in the warehouse OF the Lighthouse
Department. is denied In high Official quarters.
Admiral sicard has requested DR. Malloney.
the Mayor of Key West 10 prevent a local
demonstration when the funeral OF the Names
dead occurs. He has asked that in the event Of
a parade being formed by the residents oily
American flags shall be displayed
All the funeral arrangements will be under the
direction Of Commander McCaa, OF the Mar.
blehead AS now planned. small details OF ma
rines will be landed from the vessels here ana at
the Tortugas. and the artillery al barracks will
join in paying the last honors.
Mayor Malloncy has promised carry out
Admin al Sicard's wishes far possible, but
doubts whether the strong Cuban and anti
Spanish sentiment be suppressed
The Coast Survey steamer Bache Will return
here from Havana tomorrow nighr Thurs
day morning. bringing all the Names unburied
dead and the wounded men who arc now at Ha-
vana The wounded will he left al the Tortugas
for about five days quarantine. and four
wounded men who were left az the Tortugas
Captain Sigshee reported last night that only
one unidentified body ready for Shipment
but it is expected that several more will be re-
covered from the wreck before the Bache n
eady 70 sail Funeral services ever the bodies
will probably be held on Thursday. and the In
ternent will take place in the City Cemeterv
Admiral Sicard is credited with the intention
OF having the funeral private as possible.
but II is considered doubtful whether his wishes
on the subject will be respected by the resi-
dents here who are eager 20 pay tribute Of
respect 70 the Names dead on the other hand.
there are people who think II likely that the
funeral may be made the occasion for Cuban
demonstration
A high naval official said to-day: Perhaps
the Court Of Inquiry may return to Havana on
board the cruiser AIsrblehead. or or board the
n shvllle. instead Of the Bache. The Marble
head would be especially suitable. She has .
remarkably strong electric-light plant"
wRECKING TUG NEARING HAVANA.
The tugboat / J. Merritt passed here al sun
set with a large scow in tow and other wreck
ing apparatus She is bound for Havana.
The cruiser Detroit returned late this evening
from the Tortugas with a coal schooner in tow.
The latter dropped anchor near the cruiser New
York. which will take coal from her.
Nothing new IS known rcga -ding the fate Of
the Maine p, all events outside OF the mem
bers Of the Cour'. Some who confden,ially de-
clared a week ago that the Court had already
found that the vessel was Intentionally blown
up have modified this conviction and. for the
most part admit thai such reports must bs
based largely on speculation.
Even naval officers are apparently as much In
the dark civilians as 10 what the Courts
opinion is the present moment. Excellent
progress has been made in the examinations ana
the Court will probably finish rs work here to-
morrow. when its members vii! be taken back
to Havana
interest in the proceedings tagged somewhat
TO-DAY. owing 70 the utter futty OF all at
tempts crafty the general curiosity The let
ter signed "Maquinista' (nachinsu. giving al
legged details Of the fli'ng Of the Names torpedo
holes with dynamite cartridges and their sub
scquent explosion b. electric wires, was placed
before one OF the members Of the Court The
member in question said that neither the letter
nor its developments had been officially before
the Court. The Cubans here are constantly
receiving mysterious missiyes from Havana, pur-
porting TO reveal the method by which the Maine
was sent to destruction. but as there a.
many suggestions or theories As there are let
ters little reliance be placed upon any
The general situation here remains the same.
The feet has not moved. though there are signs
OF activity which gave rise 10 rumor that an
important naval step was contemplated. Ad-
mlrsl Sicard when questioned on this point this
afternoon merely reiterated his rather ominous
remark of yesterday: There is no movement
to-day The ships have steam up always. and
they can go anywhere
Captain Merrill who is in charge Il the ar
.,llerv here expected General WesisY Merritt.
day by the Mascotte. but aneral Merritt did
not arrive.