New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-17
AGAIN IN KEY WEST.
LABoRs OF THE MAINE COURT OF IN
CURRY NEARLY OVER.
EXTREME MYSTERY SURROUNDS THE INTEN-
rroNs OF THE COURT AS WE'LL AS
THE RESULT or ITS LABoRs so FAR
SURVIVING OFFICERS OF THE
MAINE GET THEIR LEAVES

| OF ABSENCE.
Key West Fla. March 16.-The arrival Of the
Court Of Inquiry from Havana on the Mangrove
! to-day was not unexpected but the extreme
mystery which has surrounded the behavior OF
its members during the day is In strong contrast
with their former conduct at Key West. The
most definite statement obtainable was from
member Of the court who. after STIMULATING that
his name should be suppressed, said:
"I do not know whether we Will hold session
here. hut l suppose will"
The only definite development which followed
the courts arrival was the release OF the leave
orders of seven OF the Names officers, n matter
| which has been lying here at the pleasure of the
cour, for more than week The other officers
will remain here. although the only apparent
reason for their attendance is that they may
testify further.
| One of them said to tire correspondent; Those
Of us who are to be left behind are probably
wanted 10 testify as to the minute condition OF
various parts Of the Maine previous to the ex-
| plosion For instance sworn evidence as 10 the
! exact location Of some particular angle Iron
/ might be required to make the findings tech
nically correct. Personally am fully convinced
that the Court Of Inquiry has come to DEFINITE
| conclusion regarding the explosion
| NAY HOLD SESSION TO-DAY.
| Unless the unexpected happens. II is safe TO
| sav that the court will reconvcne tomorrow
| morning and hear testimony But all the Maine
officers EXPECT 20 get away by Saturday. The
[ general impression IS that the evidence thus FAR
| received was carefully gone over to-day. ana
! the points requiring additional testimony were
| marked out Captain Sampson and Judge-Advo-
cate Mark had long consultations with Adm'ra'
! Sicard. after which the officers from whom fr-
| Their testimony was deemed unnecessary OBJ
! tanned their leave orders.
Captain Sampson and Judge-Advocate Mark
| lunched together on the Iowa which lies SIX
miles OFF They did not return to land No ses-
sion OF the court was held on shore, but II Is
understood that consultation took place be-
tween the officers OF the court. and that Rear
| Admiral Sicard's wishes were communicated TO
those who had not talked with the feet com
mander personally.
Among naval officers and others IT Is generaily
believed that the Court OF Inquiry has come to
the definite conclusion that the explosion was
external and that the Court Is now only husled
over minor technical details This, however. IS
only an opinion, and Of no further importance:
for. with the exception Of the members OF the
Court, Rear-Admira Slcard and Commander
West no one here has any real cue to the hnal
decision One Of the officers Of the Maine said
TO this correspondent:
Il 3elieve that the Maine was blown up from
the outside: but Judging from the questions
asked by the members Of the Court when pre-
viously here I utterly unable to ascertain
whether they have even counteranced such
solution Of the disaster. | have talked with TEL
low Officers, and basing their opinions on the
character Of the questions asked they, too were
bound to confess that they were just as much in
the dark"
STARTING FOR THEIR HOMES
Amid cheers from their feow-survlvors and
friends the following officers OF the Maine !et
here tonight on the Plant Line steamer OIL
vette for Tampa. and the destinations indicated
after their respective names: Lieutenant q. r.
! w Holman. New-York; Lieutenant John j.
| Blnndin Baltimore; First Lieutenant OF Marines
Albe,tus w .Catlin. Newburs; Lieutenant George
Blow. Chicago; Cade. Washington, Goldsboro,
| y. c.; Cadet Crenshaw, Greenville, Ala. ana
| Boatswain Larkn, Philadelphia
| All expressed the keenest pleasure at starting
, for their homes after the terrible experience OF
| the EXPLOSION and The wearisome delay that has
| followed It. With the exception Of Lieutenant
| Catln they are ordered to their homes 70 await
orders Lieutenant Catn is TO report by teie-
graph to Washington.
The steamer Conal. Of the Mallory Line ar
| rived to-day from NewYork with ammunition.
for the feet and relief provisions for the re
| concentrates Tomorrow the Detroit Will take
| ammunition and stores to the feet and the Fern
will take provisions to Metanzas and Sagua la
! Grande.
PROGRESS OF THE COMMERCIAL TREATY.
| SPANISH CONFESSIONS ~ RETURN FOR FAvoRs
| UNDER RECIPROCITY.
London. March l6.-The Madrid correspondent
Of The Daily Mail says:
THE Customs Commission at It's meeting to-
| DAY approved the report relative to the bases
| of the treaty of commerce with the United
States Spain will concede certain reductions in
| tariff on condition that the United States grants
| BENEFITS under the reciprocity clauses OF the
| Dingley law"
SPANISH OFFICIALS INNOCENT
| r. ". MORRIS SAYS THAT AN INDEMNITY WILL
BE ASKED FOR. BUT THERE WILL
| BE 40 WAR.
| Cleveland Ohio. March l6.-Frank ". Morris.
! Fourth Auditor % tho Treasury and a personal
friend Of President Mckinley. who Is at present IN
Cleveland. speaking Of tho cuban question. sa,G:
| There VIII be no war. Whatever the agency was,
! the officials at WASHINGTON positive that tho
Spanish officials had nothing TO do with the blowing
UP Of the Maine. The President. when The time
/ arrives. will demand indemnity. and 1t will he
! paid"
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