The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-01

that it had discovered the cause of the
sinking of the Maine, which was not
an accident, and that they had conse-
quently no further business in Havana.
One important deduction to be drawn
from the message is that the report
Of the court of inquiry can scarce
ly be expected for several weeks
cupied at Key West for some days
at least in taking the testimony of the
survivors there. Then upon the return
to Havana, it is expected that a good
deal Of time must elapse before the
divers can get through the mud which
now encompasses the lower part of the
wreck Of the Maine and examine the
bottom. After this is done the court
must deliberate in order to secure an
agreement upon their findings.
The prevalent belief at the navy de-
partment is that up to this moment the
court has not once undertaken to COM
pare notes and endeavor to reach such
an agreement.
Cuban Mail.
A Cuban mail was received during
the day and with the candor which has
so far characterized all his dealings
tary Long caused it to be given to the
newspaper reporters as soon as he had
read it himself. 1t was made up Of
one letter from Capt. Sampson, dated
at Havana, Feb. %, and, although it is
simply a statement of events that had
already been reported by telegram, one
fact is significant, viz; The statement
that the testimony of certain civilian
witnesses before the court would be of
no Importance. His letter Is as fol-
lows:
Feb %, 1S9S-sir: The court has taken
the testimony of all the officers Of the
Maine still here. Tomorrow we will take
such testimony as the divers have accum-
ulated. The Right Arm arrived here this
morning and reported to Capt. Sigsbee, ac-
cording to the orders.
There are two citizens in the harbor who
have signi1ed their willingness to testify,
although they have nothing important.
After taking this evidence and that OF
the divers, l propose to return to Key
West and take the evidence of the officers
1t may be necessary to return here after
further progress has been made by the div
ers w. t. Sampson.
The reports that come from Key
West about unusual activity and the
observance Of unusual precautions
among the few soldiers quartered there,
were received with amusement at army
headquarters here. 1t was said that
no orders had gone forward from this
city to explain the hustle, but there
was the best Of reason to suspect that
the commandant was simply brushing
up the post and putting his best foot
forward against the expected appear
ance there on his tour of inspection of
Gen. Merritt, the commanding general
of the department of the East.
Millions for Ships.
Representative Bromwell Rep., o.
today introduced in the house the fol-
lowing resolution:
That the secretary of the navy be and he
Is hereby authorized whenever in his judg-
ment it shall become expedent for the best
interests of the country to do so, to secure
options upon and consummate the purchase
of such battleships, cruisers, rams, tor
pedo boats other form of naval vessels as
are of the most modern type and ready for
immediate use, together with the necessary
armament and equipment for the same as
in his Judgment are necessary to place the
naval strength Of the country upon proper
footing for immediate hostilities with any
foreign power with which the same may be
threatened; and that for the purpose OF con-
summatng such purchase there is hereby
appropriated the sum of $20,G00, GOO to be
Immediately available.
Representative Gibson, of Tennessee,
introduced bill today appropriating