Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-01
SEVERAL WITNESSES EXAMINED At
KEY WEST YESTERDAY,
A MAINE OFFICERS OPINION.
THINKS THE COURT WILL FIND IT
WAS NO ACCIDENT.
Says All the Evidence Thus Far Has
Upset the Accident Theory-How-
ever, He Knows Mighty Lit
tie About It-WOrk of
the Divers.

Key West Fla Feb. oS-The United
States court of inquiry into the loss of the
battieship Maine in the harbor of Havana
on February 10 began its sessions here this
morning.
Those officers and civilians here who be-
Iieved the reports from Havana saying that
the court had already decided that the loss
of the Maine was due to trsachery have
apparently changed their minds, for to-day
the universal question is, What has the
court found out?" while yesterday the one
heard all around was. when will war Nc
declared?'
Brought face to face with the court. men
realize for the first time how unlikely it
will be for the court to allow any inkiinS
of its conclusions TO be known out of due
season.
The court opened shortly after 10 o'clock.
Lieutenant Blandin was the first witness
Testimony will be taken according TO Its
relative importance, and not according to
the rank of the witness.
Lieutenant Blandin was before the court
for about an hour. No marines were on
guard, but all the doors were closed
The officers of the Maine lounged around
the big courtroom until summoned to give
testimony.
Those who were called as witnesses before
the luncheon recess were Lieutenants Blan-
din, Hood, Jungen and Blow. and Cadets
Bronson and Boyd.
This afternoon Lieutenant Holman. who
testified at Havana, was again called Lieu
tenant Of Marines Catlin gave his evidence
and was followed by Boatswain Larkn.
Gunner Hill and Carpenter Holmes The
two latter were on shore at the time or the
explosion and could tell little Of value.
At 3:1O the court adjourned until to-mor-
row.
I,,6uo Ad,-ocate Marty said.
THE stenographers have all they can
transcribe in record form and there is no
use of our working longer to-day.
In reply to a question as to what would
be done with witness when no longer of
service to the court, he said no decision has
been reached on that point yet.
Captain Sampson seemed satisfied with this
days work, but said nothing could be given
out.
day, Captain Sampson held a short inter-
view with Admiral Sicard and then re-
turned to the Iowa. Chaplain Chadwick and
Lieutenant Commander Potter were taken
on beard Of the New York
Few know more than was known this
morning. An officer Of the Maine. however.
who had been examined by the court dur
Of the Associated Press.
II can't tell you." he said. what line
Of questioning was adopted. but the court
was blown up by design. though |
don't think 1t will be able to ascertain
exactly how. The courts findings will be
based on negative, rather than positive,
| evidence. By this I mean that all of the
| testimony heard SO far has. bit by bit.
upset the theories Of those who think the the
negative evidence Is so strong and so gen
eral that see no possibility Of the court
The only Ga alternative M % then " left % for the
court is to fall back on evidence which
points to the Intentional blowing up of the
Maine. This. think. will be DONE unless
or declares that 1t does not know how the
disaster occurred, both OF which conjec-
lures think improbable"
As bearing on the value Of the opinion
| of the officer in question. 1t must be borne
| in mind that he was before the court for
has at ali times expressed himself as con-
fident that the explosion was not due to
an accident.
stance Of the interview was brought to
their attention, declined to have anything
to say. All the high naval and military
% tons poiitely professed ignorance.
Havana, Feb. Ex-senator Proctor had
expected to pay his personal respects to
pany with his travelling companion. Colonel
Parker. and General Lee. but the captain
general had been unusually busy in getting
ready for the outgoing mails and has fixed
Proctor's call.
Only one body has been recovered to-day
and II has not yet been identified. though
there are hopes that it may be later. With
any others recovered in time. 1t will go
with the wounded on the Bache to the Dry
Tortugas and Key West. On her next trip
North the Bache will carry to Key West
the first company Of wounded taken to the
Dry Tortugas.
The Spanish divers did not make their
examination to-day. Captain Sigsbee ex-
4ta1 ar,1 NHaI1 vryty1 ha l,-tSn
tonight as to when they will begin their
investigation. He was much sratified at
recovering to-day in good condition his
insignia OF the order OF the Red Eagle.
CPrussian) and the gold medal presented
to him by the International Fisheries ex-
hibition in London in 1883.
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright, the
executive officer of the Maine. who was
almost worn out with constant work on the
he feels now like q new man. Captain Sigs-
bee reports that the work of the divers to-
day was slow and must necessarily con-
tinue slow. owing to the difficulty Of max
ing an impression upon the mass of heavy
debris. But they are doing the best they
can
Late to-day Captain McGee Of the tug
tractors to hire such lighters as are neces-
sary to remove the debris from the wreck
This will facilitate the work Of removing
the dead and generally hasten operations.
Senator Proctor. who passed most of the
day indoors writing private letters and
reading. says his visit will be too brief to
make his observations of any interest to
to offer for publication.