The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-20
IMPORTANT ADMISSION.
Spain Comedies the Extra TerritOri-
nlity Of the Maine Wreck


morning which lasted nearly an hour.
Mr.. Day read cablegram from Consul
General Lee. at Havana, transmit ng a
request of the Spanish authorities in
cuba that the Spanish officials be per-
mitted to join with our people in max
ing an investigation into the cause of
the disaster to the Maine.
The matter was discussed at consid-
cradle length and the conclusion was
reached, and Gen. Lee will be so noti-
fed. that While this government is will
ing to afford the Spanish authorities
all reasona bic facilities for conducting
an investiga ton. yet it is thought best
the first investigation shall be made
by our own commissioners. The re-
quest of the Spanish authorities. there
fore, will be respectfully declined.
The apparent difficulty attending the
sending down of divers to the Maine
was relieved. if not entirely removed,
by statement today by Senior d,
Bose, charge d'affaires of the Spanish
legation, that complete and har-
moniOus understanding between Capt.
Sigsbee and the authorities at Havana
had been reached on the matter of the
divers, and that the Spanish authorities
viewed the Maine as eXtra-territorial,
that is a part of the sovereign terri
tory of the United States. the same as
d OHlleu oldleS IeSdllOn situated III
foreign territory. With the Maine
holding it's status as extra territorial,
all doubt as to the work on the wreck
is removed
The waters of Havana harbor are, of
course, Spanish territory, and some
confusion has been aroused by the idea
that this Jurisdiction over the waters
attached also to the wreck in its pres
ent helpless condition at the bottom
nf 1ou r ha
there is no disposition to extend this
jurisdiction to the ship, and that the
Spanish authorities freely assent to the
Names being regarded as eXtra-ter-
rtOrial, and under the Immediate direc-
ton of Capt. Sigsbee as the representa-
tive of the United States.
Sigsbee In Control.
According to the view taken by the
Spanish authorities Capt. Sigsbee will
be recognized as the one to direct oper-
atoms. and to send down the govern
ment divers for such inspection as he
sees proper to make. Mr.. du Bose feels
assured, however, that Capt. Sigsbee
will extend equal facilities to the Span
ish divers, so that the inspections may
proceed together. AS to what divers
Capt Sigsbee will employ, the feeling
among Spanish officials here is that this
win be wholly a matter of discretion
with Capt Sigsbee, as the one in charge
of piece of property having the at
tributes of American soil. But at the
same time the feeling is expressed that
this discretion will lead to the choice
Of authorized divers of the navy de-
partment, rather than those represent
ing newspapers.
The first dispatch relating to the
Maine received today was one from
Admiral Sicard regarding arrangements
for the court of inquiry, which will as
semble upon the arrival at Key West Of
Lieutenant Commander Maria, who will
act as judge advocate. 1t is believed at
the navy department that he can't
reach Key West today from Tampa.
ov ing to the lack of a regular boat, but
it is thought that he will be there in !
time to conduct the investigation when
it opens next Monday. 1
While the court is entirely master of
its own proceedings the department
does not doubt that, after a few pre-
limirary sessions in Key West. which
will lay the foundation for further in
Vestigation, through the taking of the
testimony of the survivors now at Key
West the board Will proceed to Ha-
Vana.
At that place the work can be con-
Quoted rapidly to a finish, with the as
sistance of Capt. Sigsbee and the in
formation gathered by the divers from
the wreck.
House Sentiment.
While the disaster to the Maine has
created a temper in the house in favor
of liberal appropriations for the navy,
and while it is undoubtedly true that
the house, in it's present frame of mind.
would not hesitate to vote for two new
hi 70 hn M0i
this temper is predicated upon the
theory that the Maine was blown up
by external agencies. If the result of
the official inquiry should develop the
fact beyond peradventure that the
ships magazine exploded from fire or
ether cause within her, it is believed
a sentiment in congress VIII be created
against the expenditure of millions in
the construction of warships that may
blow up at any time.
1t seems likely that a congressional
investigation will follow a report from
the board Of inquiry attributing the less
of the Maine to an explosion of her
magazine. No resolution for this pur-
PC Sc has yet been introduced in the
house however. A prominent member
of the house naval committee said that
he was absolutely amazed when he
learned that the Names coal bunkers
partition between.
when I learned CT the fire in the coal
bunkers of the Cincinnati, which char
red the boxes in which the shells in
her magazine were stored said he, Il
did not consider it my duty to attempt
to initiate congressional action to avert |
this danger due to her construction. |
I assumed. as a matter Of course, that
it was the duty of the navy department
officials to effect such changes as would |
remove that danger The construction
of a second bulkhead. leaving an air. |
tight passage between the bunker and
the magazine, would remove this dan
ger Now, I find that nothing was
done, either to correct the deficit on the |
Cincinnati, or any other ship. One |
thing we will undoubtedly ascertain
is how many of our ships are subject
to this danger; but 1 do not know
whether it is advisable to have con-
gressional inquiry"
officials Annoyed.
The officials of the war department !
are annoyed at the circulation of ru-
mors that seem to connect an activity
now observable at the sea coast de- |
attention of Acting Secretary Meikle- |
john was this morning called to several |
such stories, coming from widely sep
arated parts of the country. He prompt |
ly declared that this movement had no |
connection with the Maine affair. |
There had been increases of the gar
risons of the seaboard posts. But this |
had been going on for six months, and |
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