The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-28
ARE LIMITING At
NEEDLESS DELAY
Am orleans in Havana
Disposed to Criticize
the Government.
Many Hold to the Belief That
1t Purposely Blocks Full
Inquiry.
This View Not Shared by the More
Conservative Members of the
American Colony.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

HAVANA, Feb. 27.-Many Americans
and some Spaniards here insist that
the investigation into the Maine disas-
ter has thus far been superficial and
barren of vital results. They claim
that, though nearly two weeks nave
passed, no knowledge has been gained
as to the condition of the forward part
of the hull or as to whether the six or
ten-inch ammunition magazines for
ward to the starboard exploded. They
insist, moreover, that expert divers,
with enough experience to make draw
ings of the condition of things subma-
rine, might have been at work a week
ago and might have settled the ques-
ton as to the magazines. at least, ere
this
Those who hold these views demand
that the hull forward should be raised
without further loss of time and before
it has sunk too deep in forty feet of soft
mud. There are some who go so far
as to charge the United States Govern.
ment with adopting the Spanish policy
of delay until the disaster shall be par
TALLY forgotten.
Many of the Spanish officials are said
to entertain the opinion that this is the
case, and to be very we'll pleased with
the notion.
On the other hand, however, good
Judges say that all criticism in this
vein is made without a knowledge OF
the facts and that none save the MEM
bers of the court of inquiry and their
superiors are aware of all the testl-
mony developed or of which submarine
plans have been made. Those also
urge that there is no use trying to raise
the hull until the wreckage OF armor,
superstructure, engine, decks, guns and
masts have been taken out To do this
will take time, and the apparatus for
the work can be found only in the
North.
The court of inquiry is as quiet as
the statue of Mention, as dignified and
as stern. Its members are courteous,
but they feel the deep responsibility
resting upon them. They were not ex-
elusive when on shore, and they dined
with the consul general now and again.
but the wreck was always a prohibited
topic.
If memory did not have a tinge of
tragedy, Havana's harbor would have
appeared commonplace enough to-day.
Sail boats, tugs and launches piled to
and fro all day. Steamers large and
small arrived and departed, and the
hustle Of busy and not specially pic
tureSque harbor came and went in the
usual fashion.
1t is generally expected that
the court of inquiry will return here
after taking testimony at Key West,
and it is likely that efforts would be
made by agents during their absence
to secure other testimony.
The arrival of a battalion OF more
than 1000 regular troops from Barcelo-
ma, as was cabled, excited public inter-
est for the day. Guns were fired,
'vtvas" shouted and decorations which
the rain spoiled were displayed. The
men, so it is alleged, are the advance
guard of a division of 1000 Spanish
regulars, sent to take the place of the
sick and wounded who have returned
to Spain within the last few months.
The Spaniards know that Senator
Proctor is a close friend of President
Mckinley, and despite his disclaimer
OF political mission they continue to
attach considerable Importance to his
visit at this juncture. Some think that
he has been sent by the President to
make report upon the situation as
Mr.. Blount was sent to HAWAII by
President Cleveland. The Spanish, who
in the main are ignorant of American
customs and political methods, cannot
understand why former Secretary of
war should come to Havana, and there
are many expressions of surprise that
Senator Proctor Is not in uniform in
stead Of in civilian dress.
Great preparations are being made
to welcome the cruiser ViZcaya. Senior
Rivera, editor of La Discussion, says:
The general impression here is that
the United States court of inquiry has
already decided that the disaster to
the Maine was the result of an acct
dent"
The grip is very prevalent in Ha-
vana.