The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-29

where the president and his cabinet ed-
visors assembled in special cabinet ses-
sion at 1880; action In both houses of
congress. where the message OF the
president on the Maine disaster and the
report and testimony OF the court OF in
quiry were received; action In the secret
conferences of state officials and diplo-
mats concerning the latest phases Of
Spanish American negotiations. and ac-
tion In tho war and navy departmsnts,
with the Spanish situation as the COM
mon purpose Of all the varying aspects
Of official action.
Seldom has q day been replete with
so many diverse ana important phases
or single subject as was Monday: and
yet throughout this activity the prevail
Ing tone IS received from administration
sources has been more In the line of
peace than II has been for some days.
This was the impression conveyed by
cabinet officers after the special session.
Ihe same sentiment characterized the
diplomatic conferences at the state de-
partment; but In congress-, which af-
forded the greatest field for anti-Span-
ish and warlike expressions, q strain of
discontent and uneasiness prevailed at
ter the presidents message and the
Maine report were submitted, and es-
pecially on the house side.
Those who had anticipated that the
message would contribute to the ag-
gressive spirit were disappointed; II con-
tained no surprises. In the house of
representatives the message and re-
port were referred to the committee on
foreign affairs. and the Spanish debate
was Tor the time being diverted In the
senate there was a similar reference to
the committee on foreign relations, and
Mr. Money Of Mississippi delivered a
prief and energetic speech picturing the
woes OF Cuba With the report was sub
mitted the voluminous evidence taken
at Havana and Key West before the
court of inquiry.
When this is examined in detail th,s
evidence proves to be much more in
teresting in recital than the cold and
dispassionate review submitted by the
court. The story of the destruction 4.
told not graphically but In a manner
that gives all the ohtainable facts. Ma
techu1cal detail Is omitted. Every
movement and incident connected with
the Maine from the time she left Key
west until the last diver examined the
wreck slowly sinking In the mud Of Ha-
vana narpor are given. 1t Is a story in
tensely interesting to the American peo-
PIE. Those who read II can have little
uoupt as to whether there was an in
ternai or external explosion. Perhaps
the most significant testimony is that
showing that the bottom plates on the
port side OF the Inflated Maine were
bent inward and upward, result that
hardly could have followed ANYTHING
save an explosion from the. outside. A
mass OF testimony is submitted showing
the care exercised on board the shin bv
captain sigsbee and his officers, and the
apparent tmpossibility OF the accident
occurring from any internal cause. such
as the heating OF the bunkers, spontane-
Gus combustion. or from other causes
upon which so many theories were based
The testimony Of Captain SIgsbee is Of
the greatest Importance. and is perhaps
or more general interest than that of anv
other man called before the board. with
great care and minuteness he gives an
account OF the management OF the shin.
how she was handled, what was done
from day to day on board, how she sailed
into Havana, her anchorage and what
ne knew about II, and In fact every
point upon which the government and
the country desire TO be informed Moth
Ing In Captain Sigsbee's testimony shows
that the anchorage was cha nRed. or that
1t was considered dangerous by any one
Nothing In the testimony fixes re-
sponsibility, no conspiracy Is apparent
no knowledge of the planting OF a mine
Is shown. Captain Sigsbee states that
somewhat bitter feeling existed against
the American ships and Americans gem
orally, and witness whose name is sun
pressed tells OF overhearing a conversa-
tion among Spanish officers and a citizen
indicating foreknowledge of the de-
struction Of the Maine by intention TO
blow her up. An official OF the American
consulate tells OF information received
anonymously tending to show that a
conspiracy existed but nothing Is def
nitely stated which fixes any respon-
sibility upon Spain or her subjects.
Second In Importance TO the testimony
OF Captain Sigsbee is that of Ensign
Powelson. who had charge Of the divers
and knew from day to day what these
divers found. This officer was minutely
Informed as to the construction of the
Maine and everything about her. His
testimony was to a'certain extent tech
nical bearing upon the construction OF
the ship. her plates. ETC.. but II wae from
these plates and this technical knowl-
edge that he was able to declare that the
explosion took place from the outside.
The divers contributed important evil
dence. They testified that the plates
were bent inward on the bottom port
side and outward on the starboard side.
Lieutenant John ]. Blandin. who was
watch officer the night OF the disaster.
testified that when he took the deck at
D. m. everything was In normal con-
ditIon. Just before the explosion he
looked over the port side, but noticed
nothing. There were fewer boats In
sight than usual.
The examiner referred to Lieutenant
Holman's large experience IN matters
OF explosives and asked his impression
OF the whole affair. lie said: MY inn
preston. not yet verified by divers find
tngs, IL that very heavy mine went of
under the Names bottom. The noise