Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-03-22


WASHINGTON, March 21.-It can be
stated positively and authoritatively
that the report of the court of in
quiry on the Maine disaster had
not been received up to noon Monday.
From the same authoritative source
it can be stated that the present Of
fetal information is that the report is
not likely to be here before next Thurs
day or Friday. 1t is a material change
from the expectation prior to this
time. The cause of the delay is not
known, but it is assumed that the con-
clusions of the court are not yet in
such exact form as to warrant their
earlier presentation here.
The governne mt has made no further
purchases of warships, but its negotia-
tionS in that line have boen productive
of ut least one important result, name
ly, in establishing that unless the bat
tleship Gen. O'Higgins becomes the
property of the United States it will
not be sold at all Spain, it is con-
fidently asserted. will not be able
to secure this war vessel. nor
are her chances any better or
as good as thosc of the United States.
Practically the same condition pre-
walls as to the Argentine arnored
cruiser San Martino. which will be-
come the property of this government
if it passes out of the hands of Argen-
tina. Aside from these facts, there
was the usual food of speculative report
current Monday, including "A renewal
f,f fha that liant nl0U of
the Names survivors who reached
here Saturday, brought II letter from
Adm. Sicard containing the informa-
tion that the explosion was external
but could not be directly attributed
to the Spanish government, Officials
high in authority are 10th to make
specific denials of these reports. as so
many of them are atioat, but inferen-
italy the statement was dismissed as
unwarranted. One high official who
would be very likely to know if such
information had been brought, stated
that if it was in hand the fact had nev-
er been made known to him and he
very seriously doubted its correctness.
1t is undoubtedly true, however, that
the Names officers who have reached
here, expressed it to be their personal
opinion that the cause of the explosion
was external
KEY WEST, March 21.-The court of
inquiry, according TO Rr. Adm. Sicard,
will continue its work through the
coming week, as it is not yet ready to
make report on the Maine disaster.
The statement that Capt. Albert S.
Barker carried the report to Washing
ton is officially denied. The object of
his flying visit to Key West was not
ascertained outside official circles un-
til Sunday. 1t can be authoritatively
stated that Capt. Barker had nothing
to do with the court of inquiry.
He came here on Friday from Tampa
on special missi on to investigate the
harbor defenses, following out somc
lines suggested by General Wilson
chief of engineers, in his recent in.
spection of land Notifications. Capt
Barker's plans, when he left here Sat
urday night, was to confer with Com
mander McCalla, of the Marblehead
who is now at Tampa, and he will
probably remain there day or so
Capt. Barker formerly commanded the
Oregon.
1t is impossible to say definitely
whether any synopsis of the findings
of the court up to date has been sen
to Washington. The notion prevails
here that this has been done, but NJ
official confirmation is obtainable
That the final report has been sent t.
| Washington can be definitely denied