The Irish standard., 1898-04-02

ships Crew-No Evidence Found
ON Which to Base Responsibility
for the Concentrating of the Span.
ish Court Is Directly Opposite.
Washington, March 2s.-Thc Asso.
ciated Press presents herewith a COM
pletc abstract of the report of the court
of inquiry which investigated the
wrecking of the battleship Maine. This
abstract is made from the report itself,
access to which was obtained Sunday
despite official secrecy unparalleled in
the handling of official papers. The re-
port is made up OF eight parts, as fol.
lows:
First-The court finds that at the time
of the explosion the battleship Maine was
lying in five and one-half to six fathoms Of
water.
second-The discipline aboard the ship
was excellent. everything slowed accord
ing to orders-ammurition, guns. stores,
etc. The temperature Of the magazines at
eight p. nj. was normal except in the after
ten-inch magazine, and that did not ex.
plode.
Third-The explosion occurred at $40
o'clock on the evening Of February Is.
There were two explosions, with a very
short interval between them; the ship lifted
on the first explosion.
Fourth-Thc court can form no definite
opinion of the condition OF the wreck from
the divers evidence.
Fifth-There are technical details of the
wreckage from which the court deduces
that a mine was exploded under the ship
on the port side.
Sixth-The explosion was due to no fault
OF these on board
Seventh--In the opinion of the court the
ncin of ho inn cd "a
of the two magazines.
Eighth-Thc court declares that 1t can-
not find evidence to fix the responsibility.
Report Is Unanimous.
Thereportis unanimous and is signed
by all the members of the court.
1t does not refer to the existence or
noncxistence of the mine In the harbor
of Havana except in the specific fnd-
ing that mine was exploded under the
ship, and the opinion that the explosion
OF the two magazines was caused by
the explosion of u mine.
Confer on the Crisis.
Washington, March 2s.-On no pre-
vious Sunday since the relations be-
tween Spain and the United States as
sumcd an acute aspect has there been
such anxiety felt in official circles as
on yesterday. From early in the morn
ing until late at night the president
held conferences with the closest of his
advisers in congress and the legislative
branch OF the government.
The Presidents Policy.
On the part Of the administration it is
stated that the development of the
situation will not require great length
of time, and hence that there will be no
extended delay. A policy has been
fully determined upon by the president.
1t is to bring the Cuban war TO Il close.
This will be accomplished by pointed
intervention if necessary, but it is con-
sidered far preferable that the end
should come as the result of peaceful
negotiations than that it should be ac-
ccmpanied by hostile demonstrations
on the part of the United States. Hence
the disposition of the president is to
give Spain fair opportunity to secure
an armistice with the Cubuns and to all
low her q reasonable time in which to
come to al understanding with the
hostiles.
An Opposite View.
Washington, March GA full synop-
els of the report of the Spanish naval
commission which investigated the de-
struction Of the bnttleship Maine Is
here. 1t is taken from a copy of the
original report which is now on its way
here from Havana. the synopsis being
cnhleti in the meantime and placed in
the hands Of this government. The con-
illusions reached are directly opposite
TO those In the report CT the court of in
Notes of Intcrest.
Commander Schley has taken COM
mand of the flying squadron ut Hnmp-
ton Roads.
Orders have been issued for the or
ganizntion of the "mosquto fleet" for
the defense of seaconst cities.
The consensus Of opinion in congress
is that Spain is now under moral intlict-
mrnt for responsibility for the Maine
disaster.
The press Of Madrid shows n wnrlike
spirit, and the Spanish ministry is
chidcd for dilatory tactics in dealing
with the United States.
Consul General Ice cablcd to the
state department that the situation in
Havana is critical. There is danger
of further riots growing out of the in
tense anti-American feeling among the
Wcylertcs.
Excitement Runs High.
Washington, March 3O.-Congress
and the cabinet divided attention Tues
day on the Spanish situation. In con-
grrss the feeling which began to take
form after the presidents conservative
and pacific message on the Maine re-
port was submitted found open express
sion in resolutions proposing declara-
ton of war, recognition of the inde-
pendence of Cubu, armed Intervention
and other decisive and warlike steps
against Spain, and in conferences of re-
pubicans having for their object the
overruling of the speaker, if necessary
to get prompt action.
Cannot Bc Checked.
On the house side it was apparent
that the republican majority could no
longer be controlled by what is known
rs the conservative element, led by the
speaker. Groups of members III q
state Of excitement were to be seen
on every hand. In each cloakroom there
were members listening eagerly while