The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-28
Statement by Members
of Board OF Inquiry.
A DENIAL OF REPORTS.
Names Pot Armor Belt Sail TO
Have BEN Broken OF.
LATEST STORY OF THE CAUSE.

Key West, Feb. 2S.-The members or
che court of inquiry into the Maine dis
aster arrived in this city on the light
house tender Mangrove Sunday and be-
gan their work here at 10 o'clock this
morning IL is understood that the only
important witness examined here will be
Lieutenant Blandn, the officer OF the
deck when the Maine explosion oc-
Cured. The testimony of the other
survivors will take only a short time.
and celebrity is the order of the day with
the officers OF the court.
Notwithstanding reports TO the con-
trary. the court has not arrived at any
conclusion as 10 the cause of the dlsas-
ter. Captain Simpson said: I'VE have
finished our work in Cuba TO a certain
extent. There is, as you know, nothing
can say regarding our opinions on the
Maine disaster. All reports purporting
TO express our opinions are false"
Asked with reference TO the reports
that the Names fate was known posi-
lively to have resulted from mine ex-
plosion, Lieutenant Commander Mark
said: These stories amuse US. or
course | cannot tell you what we have
found out so far; but these stories (point-
ing to local extra" with sensational
headlines) why. they amuse US i'm
mensely."
Rear Admiral Sicerd has had frequent
conferences with Captain Sampson and
other members of the court of inquiry.
He remarked last night: II think they
ought TO get away by Wednesday. AS
yet there is nothing that can be said
about their work"
In reply TO question as to the rum
ored removal of the warships to Cuba,
the admiral said: The fleet is not
moving, and | know nothing about its
going to Cuba Still you know, it has
steam up and could go anywhere If or
dered."
He was asked IL anything had hap
pened to justify the statement that the
situation was more serious today than
it had been. fe replied: They know
at Washington about that. Just how
strained our relations are with Spain l
am unable to say"
The excitement over the arrival OF
party of Cuban filibusters completely
eclipsed all the doings and sayings of the
court of inquiry officers. Their quick
departure prevented very much being
learned as to the expeditions; but the
Cubans here are elated. Dynamite
John" O'Brien said: I'VE gave to Gen
eral CaliXto Garcia about 900, coo rounds
Of ammunition. large number OF mod
ern rifles and dynamite enough to blow
up many Spanish forts. More than that.
we gave then three expert electricians,
who took wires ard batteries necessary
for firing dynamite safely and success
Gully. We landed considerable quanti-
ties Of clothing, shoes, provisions and
medicines. The medicine is in charge of
four trained nurses who are protected
by Red Cross passports and who Will
nurse the III and wounded insurgents.
About 40 volunteers left our expedition
TO join Garcias force. We were met by
a body OF cavalry, numbering, perhaps.
200, and we are sure the goods got into
the right hands. Landing was made
without interruption on the morning OF
Feb. 90 Five days later we made the
landing in Matangas province, where 90
men took charge of 400 900 rounds OF am
munition. several cases OF rifles q guam
t!ty Of dynamite with electrical acces-
fories. clothing, provisions and medi-
cines. An this has no doubt, reached
General DiaZ before this"