Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-01
THE INQUIRY Al KEY WEST.
Court Higgins the Taking of Tesu-
mOny-NOthing Given Out.

mony-Nothing Given out.
KEY WEST, FLA, February 8.-The
United States court of inquiry into the
loss of the batteship Maine, in the har-
Dor of Habana. on February 18TH began
its sessions here this morning.
Lieutenant Bandin was the hrst Wit
ness called. Testimony will be taken ac-
cording 10 its relative Importance, and
not according 10 the rank OF the witness.
Lieutenant Blandin was before the court
for about an hour.
The naval officers sat in Judge Locke's
private chambers, off the main court
room. No marines were on guard, but all
the doors were closed. Those who were
called as witnesses before luncheon, at l
O'Clock. were Lieutenants Blandin, Hood,
.Uungen. and Blow, and Cadets Bronson
and Boyd.
Lieutenant Commander Mark, who re-
ceived the list of witnesses. said the IN
quiry was progressing we'll
The Detroit sailed to the Tortugas TO-
day with provisions for the fleet.
The court of inquiry recOnyened at
o'clock this afternoon. Lieutenant Hood
who testified at Habana, was again
called. Lieutenant-o Marines Catln gave
his evidence quickly, and was followed by
Boatswain Larkin, Gunner Hill, and Car
penter Holmes. The two last named were
on shore at the time of the explosion,
and could tell little Of value.
AT ten minutes past the court ad-
iourned until morning at TO- Judge-AdVo-
cate Mark said: THE stenographers nave
all they can transcribe in record form,
and there is no use of our working longer
to-day
CAPTAIN Sampson seemed satisfied with
the days work, but said nothing could De
given out.
After the courtroom had been cleared
for the day. Captain Sampson held
81 ort interview with Rear-Admiral Sicald,
and then returned TO the Iowa. Captain
Cbadvick and Lieutenant-Commande
potter were taken on board the New
York. -,,,.,,,,-l,,,
CHESS AT COURT FINDINGS.
Few know more than was known this
,norning. An officer of the Maine how
ever who had been examined by the
court during the day, talked at length
with the correspondent of the Associated
Press. ..,--. H..
81 can't tell you" he said, what line
Of questioning was adopted, but the court
will find, / believe, that the Maine was
blown no by design, though / don't thlnk
il will be able to ascertain eNacty now
The courts finding will be based on mega
five rather than on positive evidence. by
mis- | mean that all the testimony heard
% far has upset the theories OF those
who think the explosion was OF internal
origin This negative evidence Is SO
strong and so general that / see no pos
sibility of the courts deciding That the
explosion was internal
.'The only alternative then left for ihe
court is 10 fan back on evidence which
noints 10 the intentional blowing up OF
the Maine. This, l think, will be done,
unless the court formulates theory OF
its own or declares that 1t does not
know how the disaster occurred, both Oh
which conjectures L think improbable
As hearing on the value OF the OPINION
of the officer in question, 1t must De
horne I'm mind that he was before the
court for about fifteen minutes only, ana
mai ne has at all times expressed NM
self as confident that the explosion was
NOT due TO an accident.
Members Of the court, When the SUI
stance Of the interview was brought 10
their attention. declined to nave any,
thing 10 say. All the high naVai anu
Y,,uitarv officials here. when asked cru
c'aI questions. politely profess ignorance