Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-10
In HABANA HARB0R.
THE MONTGOMERY ANCHORS NEAR
THE MAINE WRECK.
ONLY SPANISH DIVERS At WORK.
Removal OF the Upper Parts of the
Wreck Steadily Progrcrsing-Other
Military Operations.


cruiser Montgomery arrived here at sS5
this morning The arrival was very
quiet, II being generally understood that
the ship comes to replace the coast
survey steamer Fern, as quarters for
Captain Sigsbee and others.
Commander Converse. Of the Mont
gomery. is a high authority on explosives,
and his advice will be useful to the court
of inquiry into the loss of the Maine.
After firing the usual salute and being
saluted in return the Montgomery was
moored in the harbor near the wreck OF
the Maine. and in the centre of a circle
OF Spanish ships.
Later In the day Commander Converse
received this correspondent on board the
cruiser. and treated him graciously'
though he had nothing to tell him beyond
the facts already sent. He seemed sat
isiied TO have a rest in Habana harpor
for awhile. as the cruiser had been very
busy touching at West India ports
lately.
CAPTAIN Sigsbee, Lieutenant-Com-
mander wainwright, and Ensign Powell
son will occupy quarters on the Mont
yomerv. the Fern leaving Habana this
evening.
The Montgomery is as trim and neat
as possible. Nobody is allowed on ooard
without permission, but no one Is sx-
cluded if business or courtesy demands
the admission Of the visitor.
There is no indication of the length
of the cruisers stay in this harbor, any
l. nf l.
ration Of the sessions of the court OF
inquiry here.
THE MAINE COURT.
The court held its usual sessions to-
day. examining divers.
only the Spanish divers were at work,
and they were occupied but part Of the
day.
The wreckers have steadily progressed
i'm the work of removing the upper parts
of the wreck other portions of the
wreck are not worth saving.
Senator Proctor left here to-day lor
Key West. and will go to Miami via Key
West.
Consul General Lee says there was no.
thing of Importance in the mail matter
which he has just received from the
United States.
The. Olivette's passenger list of in
corners was small and her outgoing
list of passengers Is not as large as
usual.
MILITARY OPERATIONS.
A Spanish column, under Colonel Teje-
da, according to a Spanish report, mas
captured several entrenched insurgent
camps in the ManzanillO District. in
cluding the camp Of Ell Chine. The troops,
the Spaniards add, killed nine men, made
three prisoners, and captured ian armory
with many tools, and destroyed many
great huts and hospitals"
There was, another engagement be-
tween these opposing forces, II appears,
AT La Sierra, and the insurgents are
alleged to have lost over 100 men, while
the Spanish column lost only two men
killed and fifteen wounded, according to
the report.
There win soon be an important meet
ing Of the Central Committee of the Con-
servative party. The Marquis Appetite
guia, who will preside will, it is an
nounced. "expose the proposition that
Conservatives should take part in the
elections"
II is generally admitted that a ma
iority of the Conservatives are unwill-
ing to take part in the elections, though
the Colonial and Autonomic Govern
ment will reserve sixteen places for the
Conservatives i'm the Colonial Congress,
if they participate i'm the elections.
EXAMINATION OF DIVERS.
A further examination of the divers
occupied the court of inquiry to-day. The
sessions were not long, and II would be
hard for any one not possessed Of inside
information TO tell of the intention OF the
members here. unless they are waiting
on the divers TO examine portions OF the
hull already engulfed in the harbor mud.
The Fern left for Key West tonight.
Americans here are greatly pleased at
the prompt action of Congress In passing
the defence bill, every one regarding the
appropriation as a wise measure in time
of peace.
LAME EXPELLED.
Henri Laine. the American correspon-
dent, has been expelled from the island.
He left on the Plant-Line steamer Oil
yette at noon to-day. There have been
further arrests on charges of conspiracy.
An entertainment and a social function
for the benefit of the Spanish navy Is
being arranged, to take place at the
Theatre Tacon. Several boxes have been
sold at $3.50 each, and the loges have been
disposed of at S53 each.
COMMISSIONER KLOPSCHE.
Louis Klopsche, proprietor of the CHRIS
tian Herald, of New York city, arrived on
the Ward-Line steamer Seguranca TO-
day. He is one of three commissioners
appointed by President Mckinley to SUI
peryise the collection Of the relief fund
and Is here to see Consul-General lee
and Miss Clara Barton, and observe the
distribution Of relief.
MEN AND MAUSERS FOR CUBA.
MADRID. March 9.-It became known
to-day that the Spanish transport steam
er Alfonso XII sailed for Cuba from Bar
selona on Saturday last, having on board
four officers, 900 soldiers and 4,WVVO
Mauser cartridges