Iron County register., 1898-03-03
BARREN OF RESULTS.

Americans and Spaniards in Cuba A1lK0
Dissatisfied-The Investigation Into the
Disaster Entirely Superficial-ExpertDN DIV
ers Should Have Been Employed at Ino
Earliest Moment Others Think So
Proper Course Has Been Pursued.
HAVANA, Feb. 2s-Many Americans
and some Spaniards here insist tnaC
the investigation into the Maine olsas-
ter has thus far been superficial ana
barren of vital results. They claim
that, though nearly two weeks nave
passed. no knowledge has been galned
as to the condition of the forward part
of the hull, or as to whether the SIX or
ten-inch ammunition magazines for
ward to the starboard exploded. Ihey
insist. moreover, that expert divers,
with enough experience to make draw
ings of the condition of things subma-
rine, might have been at work a week
ago and might have settled the ques-
ton as to magazines at least ere this.
Those who hold these views demand
that the hull forward should be raised
without further loss of time and be-
fore it 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 disaster shall
be partially forgotten or discounted.
Many of the Spanish officials are said
to entertain the opinion that this is the
case, and seem to be very well pleased
with the notion.
On the other hand, however, good
judges say that all criticism in this
vein is made without a knowledge OF
the facts, and that no one save the mem
bers of the court of inquiry and their
superiors is aware of all the testimony
developed or of what submarine plans
have been made. Those also urge that
there is no use trying to raise the hull
until the wreckage or armor, super
structure, engine docks, guns and
masts 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 company in the
world ever took contract for such
work where the blowing up of the
wreck by dynamite was prohibited
that the most important evidence be
not destroyed.
But even the most moderate strongly
deprecate 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 to be false. 1t is
useless to deny that the interest here
is much less intense than it was week
ago, but it is ever ready to be kindled-
hU anU aSfa hliShnd facts
The court of inquiry is as quiet as.
the statue of Memmon, as dignifed
and as stern. It's members are cour-
teous, but they feel deep responsibility
resting upon them. To talk indis-
creetly might not only cost commits
sion, no matter how high the rank of
the holder, but it would surely precipi--
tate trouble, either here or in the
United States. They were not exclu-
sive when on shore, and they dined
with Consul Lee now and again, but
the wreck was always a prohibited
topic.
The arrival of battalion of more
than 1000 regular troops from BARGE
Iona, as already cabled. excited public
interest only for the day. Guns were
fred, "Vivas' shouted and decorations,
which the rain spoiled hung up, but that
was all there was of it. These men, so b.
it is alleged, are the advance guard of
division of 11,oOO Spanish regulars,
sent to take the place of the sick and
wounded who have returned to Spain
within the last few months.
The Spaniards know that Senator
Proctor is close friend of President
Mckinley and, despite his disclaimer
of political mission, they continue to q.
attach considerable Importance to his .
visit at this juncture. Some think that
he has been sent here by the president
to make a report on the situation as
Mr.. Blount was sent to Hawaii by
President Cleveland.
The Spanish, who, in the main, are
ignorant of American customs and po-
litical methods, cannot understand
why former secretary of war should
come to Havana, and there are many
expressions of surprise that Senator
Proctor is not in uniform instead of
civilian dress.
Great preparations are being made
to welcome the cruiser Vizcaya
Senor Riviera, editor of La Discus
sion, says: The general impression
here is that the United States court of
inquiry has already decided that the
disaster of the Maine was the result of
an accident"
The grip is very prevalent in Ha-