The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-23
THE REPORT ON THE WAY,
Lieut.. Commander Mark Leaves Key
With IL in His Possession.

KEY WEST, FLA. March 2.-Lieu-
tenant Commander Mark. Judge Advo-
cate OF the United States Naval Court or
Inquiry into the loss of the battleship
Maine. left Key West this afternoon on
his way TO Washington by the city Of
Key West, bound for Miami, carrying
with him the report of the court on the
disaster.
Commander Mark brought the report
ashore from the Nashville to-day and
Rear-Admiral Scard. with Commander
Mark spent several hours in its further
revision.
OFFICERS ON WAITING ORDERS.
All the officers of the Maine now here.
except Paymaster's Clerk Mccarthy. have
received orders to leave for their homes.
there TO await orders as in the case of
other officers who left here last week.
This is considered to be evidence that the
court will not require the corroboration
OF technical evidence as was thought a
few days ago.
The majority of the officers OF the
Maine left this afternoon for Miami and
the remainder of them leave tomorrow
for Tampa
Before leaving Key West Command
re Mark said nothing could be given out
about the work OF the court OF Inquiry
or its findings. Personally the Com
mander said he was intensely relieved at
completing his labors.
The decision reached by the court Is
still matter OF surmise. Perhaps some
significance might be attached and con-
cluslons drawn from a renSrk made by
Admiral Scard last night when he said
TO a correspondent:
A MOST PECULIAR CASE.
The case Of the Maine is most pecu-
liar, perhaps the most peculiar which
has ever occurred in the history OF the
world"
From the general tone OF his remarks
il might be inferred that the court find
ings do not definitely solve the mystery
Of the explosion. This Is further borne
out by the Admiral's statement that even
after the report had been sent 10 Wash
ington the Department may require furth-
er Investigation.
Lieutenants Jungen and Hood, Cadets
Bronson and Boyd. Passed Assistant En-
glneeI Bowers Assistant Engineer Nor
rs and Carpenter Hilms. OF the Maine.
left here to-day on the City OF Key West
for Miami Gunner Hale. of the lost bat
tleship, will leave later. There are no
commanding officers Of the Maine here
The report of the Court of Inquiry left
here to-day in the custody OF Lieutenant
Commander Mark. judge advocate. If
the train connections be made. he VIII
arrive In Washington with the documents
Thursday night.
Within the last ave days a minority sem
timent has been steadily growing that the
court has been unable 10 determine de-
hnitely the cause of the explosion. STILL
II is true that a majority hold to the con-
viction that the report will ind and prove
that the Maine was blown up intention
ally.
UNDRAMAT1C GILMAN.
The sending OF the report to-day to
washington was the undramatic climax
10 weeks Of waiting. Lieutenant-Comman-
der Mark went aboard the Nashville
early In the day and brought off the ind
ings. After prolonged conference with
Rear Admiral Sicard. certain alterations
were made and then Admiral Sicard affix-
ed his signature of approval
After luncheon Leutenant-Commander
Mark boarded the City or Key West and
sailed for Miami az half past four o'clock
win the report safely slowed in away in
stateroom No. l6
Lieutenant Commander Mark before
leaving was In non-commital mood. lie
confined himself 10 saying that he In
tensoly glad 10 be through with very
tedious work and once more TO be on the
way north.
Despite the absence from Key West OF
the documents on which the eyes OF the
world are fixed. the Court Of Inquiry con-
tinues In existence though inactive.
Should the Navy Department require
further investigation and express dissat-
isfaction with the findings. It Is probable
tho court would be obliged TO return 10
Havana. though the release o: all the
Maine officers held here as witnesses until
to-day. makes II unlikely that any loop
hole had been left which would justify
the Department In requiring the court TO