The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-03-03

I : q = 7 { : 81 > & /
that now menaces both nations, and
the conservative press of America
would have welcomed an opportunity
to relax the dangerous tension that
now prevails. 1t was in the hope Of
such early assurance that the cor
respondent watched the first weeks
proceedings of the court. That hope
has almost vanished. The testimony
thus far adduced points overwhelming
~ to an opposite conclusion. That is
why the government is moving so de-
hberately. The navy department needs
the time and will make good use Of it.
Dissatisfied With Divers.
1t has been persistently rumored
that the naval court is not wholly sat
lsfied with the work done or the report
made by the divers up to the present
time. l am inclined to believe some,
such feeling existed, and that it is
partially responsible for the naval
courts contemplated return to Havana
IN time to observe the work of the
more efficient wrecking apparatus
now en- route from New York.
Martin Riordan, hitherto attached to
the fleet, has been returned to Key
West in deep disgrace and will proba-
bly, be court martialed. The crime of
that of differing from sea chests of
the dead soldiers and appropriating to
himself various things of value, which
it was his duty to bring to the surface
and deliver to the proper authorities.
One seaman's chest in the berth deck,
it is said, contained savings aggre-
eating more than $1,000. The diver
had been under suspicion. He was
watched by other divers while at work
and the suspicious, it is alleged, We're
verified. His quarters were searched
and many trinkets and articles Of
value are said to have been discovered.
Loyal Spaniards to a man still refuse
to entertain for moment the suspi-
cion that the Maine was the victim of
foul play or of any other than acct
dental causes. Many of them scout as
ridiculous statements that the harbor
is filled with submarine mines. Ha-
vana remains quiet, Quieter than usu-
al; abnormally quiet for carnival time.
Key West, March 2.-Lieut. Blandin
was before the court for about an
hour. The naval officers sat in Judge
Locke's private chambers. No ma
were closed
before the luncheon recess were Lieu
tenants Blandin, Hood, Jungen and
Blow and Cadets Bronson and Bovd.
No enlisted men were examined at the
morning session.
The court of inquiry reconvened at
2 o'clock in the afternoon. Lieut..
Holman, who testified at Havana,
was again called. Lieutenant of Ma
rlnes Catlin gave his evidence quickly
and was followed by Boatswain Lar
kin, Gunner Hill and Carpenter
Holmes. The two latter were on shore
at the time Of the explosion and could
tell little of value. At $40 the court
adjourned over till 10 o'clock in the
morning.
Capt. Sampson seemed satisfied with
the days work but said nothing could
be given out. After the court room
was cleared for the day Capt. Sampson
held short interview with Rear Ad-
miral Sicard and then returned to the
Iowa. Capt. Chadwick and Lieut..
Potter were taken on board the New
York. Few know more than was
known in the morning. An officer Of
the Maine, however, who had been eX-
samined by the court during the day.
talked at length with the correspond
ent Of the Associated Press.
Il can't tell you," he said, "what line
of questioning was adopted, but the
court will find, I believe, that the
Maine Was Blown Up by Design.
though don't think it will be able to
ascertain exactly how. The courts
finding will be based on negative rath-
er than positive evidence. BY this I
mean that all of the testimony heard
so far has, bit by bit, upset the theories
of those who think the explosion was
of internal origin. This negative evil
dence is so strong and so general that
I see no possibility of the court decid-
ing that explosion was internal. The
only alternative then left for the court
is to fall back on evidence which
points to the Intentional blowing up, Of
the Maine. This, think, will be done,
unless the court formulates theory
of it's own or declares that it does not
know how the disaster occurred, both
of which conjectures I think improba-
ble"
AS bearing on the value Of the opin-
ion Of the officer in question, it must
be borne in mind that he was before
the court for about fifteen minutes
only, and that he has at all times ex-
pressed himself as confident that the
explosion was not due to accident.
Members Of the court, when the sub
stance of the interview was brought to
their attention, declined to have any:
thing to say. All the high naval and
military officials here, when asked
crucial questions, positively profess ig
norance. ~<ts
n SIS