The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-28
HAVANA YARNS ALL HUMBUG.
% rNKLING OF THE COURTS BE-
LIEF GIVEN OUT.

I,diyiduaI InclinatiOn-lntePest in
Ill. ExDIosiOn Much Less Than a
weeI1 AgO-spanish Belief That
Senator Proctor Is n Secret Ennis
cory of President Mckinley Hard
TO Dispel.
havana (via Key West, Fla), Feb N.-
,,,r,, Americans and some Spaniards here
,..ist that the investigation into the Maine
Hs,s,er has thus far been superficial and
hare of vital results. They claim
tst though nearly two weeks
have passed, no knowledge has
,esn gained as to the condition
If tbe forward part OF the hull, or as to
vbether the six or ten-inch ammunition
magazines forward on the starboard side
exnoded They insist, moreover, that ex-
wort divers with enough experience to
make drawings of the condition of things
submarine might have been at work
week ago and might have settled the ques-
Hon as to the magazines before this.
Those who hold this view demand that
tbe forward part of the hull be raised
without further loss of time, and before
# has sunk too deep In forty feet of soft
mud. There are some who go so far as
to charge the United States
government with adopting the
spanish policy of delay until the dis
aster shall be partially forgotten or dis
counted. 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
8 say that ali criticism in this vein is made
without a knowledge of the facts and
that no one save the members of the
court Of inquiry and their superiors are
aware of all the testimony developed, or
81 Of what submarine plans have been made.
These Judges also urge that there is no
use trying to raise the hull until the
vreckage or armor, superstructure, en-
gnes decks guns and marts have been
taken out. To do this will take time and
the apparatus for the work can only be
found in the North. 1t is said no COM
paDy ia the world ever took a contract
for lch a work where the blowing up
Of ul wreck by dynamite was prohibited
lest important evidence be destroyed.
# pat ever III most moderate STRONGLY
n deprocate any more delay than is abso-
lutely necessary, while all agree that the
American people are not likely to forget
so readily. Rumors of this, that, or the
other discovery, setting on foot this that
Or the other theory, are still rife. In most
cases, when run down, they are easily
proved false.
1t is useless to deny that the interest
here is much less intense than it was a
week ago, but it is ever ready to be kin
died anew by any established facts.
/ The court of inquiry is as quiet as the
h statue of Memmon, as dignifed and as
stern It's members are courteous, but
'aey feel the deep responsibility resting
upon them. To talk indiscreetly might not
eaiy cost a commission, no matter how
hgh the rank of the holder, but would
surely precpitate trouble either here or
III the United States. They were not eX-
C.uSVe When on shore and they dined with
consul General Lee now and again, but
'ne wreck was always a prohibited topic.
II memory did not give a tinge of trag-
edy Havanas harbor would appear COM
'honpace enough to-day. Sail boats, tugs
ii ana launches ply to and fro all day.
steamers large and small arrive and de-
II part and the hustle of a busy and not
Il specially picturesque harbor comes and
eoes IN the usual fashion. In yonder mass
oI Steel, which seems to have writhed in
l pam lies all that is mortal of more than
L eighty brave men,
IL IS generally expected that the court
oI inquiry will return here after taking
'esumohy at Key West, and it is likely
tnat efforts will be made by agents during
me courts absence TO secure other testi-
/ mony
me arrival of a battalion of more than
-NV regular troops from Barcelona excited
puoHc interest only for the day. These
men SO it is alleged, are the advance
suaFd OF a division of 900 Spanish regu-
l'Is sent to take the place of the sick and
'u"ued who have returned to Spain with
~ lne last few months
Inc Spaniards know that Senator Proc.
1or is a close friend of President McKin.
ana despite his disclaimer of a 20
"'odl mission, they continue TO attach
"9"eTable importance to his visit at this
y'NO'ure Some think he has been sent
oy the President to make a report
u W t.e situation, as Mr.. Blount was sent
hawaii by President Cleveland. The
p'mSh who arrived yesterday are igno-
% Oh American customs and politca
'uods, and cannot understand why q
o'ner minister of.war should come to F-a.
ouu and there are many expressions o1
p''se that Senator Proctor is not in uni
40 q" instead of civilian dress.
Iieat preparations are being made tc
"C'eome the cruiser Vizcaya.
"elor Rivera, editor of La Discusione
The general impression here is
'' the United States court of inquiry
aready decided that the disaster tC
Maine was the result of an accident
rt -e grip Is very prevalent in Havana.
1e Gay has been clear and beautiful
H. 'he first day of real rest for Capt
s'ee and his officers since the disaster
u'pIaln Chadwick tried TO make ar
5ethehts to send the body Of Frederick
1SS north by steamer, but found it i'm
r. 'ole owing to the health regulations
pody found last Friday was identified
oy as that of Jagos, the coppersmith
1el man. One of the bodies found yes
IS still unidentified, but Chaplain
.oWlck has a careful description of the
looihg on the arms and hopes to fine
ie .,i one who will recognize that.
"e divers did not work to-day.
N"ny Americans attended church thii
ing aud more were present al a bul
u' this afternoon
tenant Commander West Rear Ad
''I Sicard's chief of staff, who came OF
Mascotte yesterday returned on th'