The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-25
RETAIN THEIR SILENCE
DIVERS EXAMINED MORE FULLY
THAN EVER.
EXISTENCE OF sUBTEaRANEAN PASSAGES
Spaniards Deny that the Nine Galleries Ex-
tend Under The Harbor" Cuban In
surgen's Fall Upon ard Kill
Twenty Five GuerriIIas.


quiry hcld its usual sessions to-day.
Captain Sampson reports that Chaplain
Chadwick was examined as to his per
sonal experiences at the time of the
disaster to the Maine, and that the tes-
timony was taken Of the Captain of Il
British bark in the harbOr and the SUI
perintendent of the West !ndian Oil
Works, across the bay at ReGla, both
Of whom Witnessed the explosion. Mr..
Rolf. the British engineer of the float
ing dock in the harbor. wrote Il letter
to the court, but, it is said. did not add
ANYTHING material to what was Known.
At the afternoon session the divers
were examined more fully than before.
Their testimony is taken from day to
day. The court expects now to tmsh
hcle to-day and to sail on the Mangrove
for Key West, where the other officers
and men will be examined.
The wrecking tug Right Arm did not
go north, as was expected yesterday.
She is now moOred beside the poop OF
the wreck. and Will saIve the smaller
portions as far as possible in advance
Oh the arrival of other tugs with better
1aClIlueS Tor uedNy WOIh.
Chaplain Chadwick reports that al the
wounded here are doing well except
Frederick c. Holzer. of New York, who
may die at amy moment.
THE TESTIMONY GUARDED.
Neither the officers of the Court Of
Inquiry nor the witnesses viii give the
slightest indication of the testimony or
the conclusions deducibe from il. and
all say that the men employed Ou the
wreck have been warned to observe an
equally strict reticence. This course IS
regarded as cminently wise by the Am
erican and all intelligent Spanish Off
Gals as there is no telling what pIs-
Sious might be aroused or what evil
results might be brought about by talk
ing freely on official matters i'll the pre-
sent state of public feeling i'll Havana.
I aus far Americans are treated with
the utmost courtesy and kindness; and
it seems the special care of the residents
of havana to show friendineeS.
Consul General Lee says there is no
truth in the report that he had asked
CAPTAIN General Blanco II Ilsmlss from
Cuba certain newspaper men for sending
sensational stories to the United States.
On tine contrary General Lee has never
interfercd with the American newspaper
men in any way.
To-day the principal streets and build
ings are gaily decorated with flags and
bunting in honor of the Spanish soldiers
2,029 Infantryman under the command
of Jose Amador. who arrived this morn
ing by the steamer MOnteyde0, from
Barcelona.
Gen. Solano, the second chief of staff,
to-day returned ON board the Mangrovc
the visit of the Court of Inquiry, acting
as the representative of the Governor
General. Admiral AIanterOEa personal
ly returned the visit paid to him by the
court The Thursday reception of Gen
eral Blanco was resumed this evening.
THE NINE GALLERIES.
In connection with the claim made by
the Cubans that there are mine gal
leries under the harbor of Havana, lead
ing from subterranean passages, and
known to have existed for years between
Fort CabanaS, MORO Castle and this
port, the Spaniards explain that for over
IL century Il subterranean passage about
two miles long and eight feet at it's mar
rowcst diameter, capable of giving pass
age to Il column of troops has existed
from the Navy Yard to Castillo del
Principe. But, the Spaniards further
assert, the existence of this passage was
not known to the present authorities, or
to those who have been in power for
many years past. The entrances and
exits, it is added, have been closed for
years by thick walls now covered with
debris and their exact location is said
to be lost. At the same time, it is adj
mitted that records regarding the sub
terranean passage can be found in old
documents in the archives of Havana.
Finally, the Spaniards insist that this
passage does not go under the harbor at
any point.
On Saturday last n party of about
forty guerillas left a fort ON a farm
near Aguacate, about forty miles from
this city as was their CUSTOM to dine
at Il neighboring place. During the alb
sence of the guerillas Il detachment of
about fifteen insurgents occupied the fort
and when the garrison returned frOn
dinner, the insurgents fell upon them
with macheteS and killed twenty-five
out of tine forty guerillas.
The remaining fifteen members Of tho
government force succeeded in esq mi *.
PATIENTLY AWAIT REPORT.
Havana, Feb. 24.-The session of the
Court of Inquiry this evening was de-
voted to taking the testimony of two
civilians, Americans, who saw the eX-
plosiOn from the deck of the Ward Line
steamer City of Washington, that was
moored a few hundred yards from the
Continued on Fifth Page.)