The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-17
Conclusion Has Undoubtedly Been
Reached.
NOT A LISP OF WHAT 1T is HAS
ESCAPED MEMBERS.

Pointed in That Direction-Ofhcers of
Maine Allowed to Leave Key West
| Yesterday.
Key West, March 16 The arrival of the
court of inquiry from Havana on the
Mangrove today was not unexpected, but
the air of 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 from a
member of the court, who, after stipu-
lating that his name should be sup
pressed, said: 81 don't know whether
we will hold session here, but sup
| pose we will.''
| The only definite development which
followed the courts arrival was the re-
Maine's officers, who had been lying
here at the pleasure Of the court for more
than week.
Capt. Sampson and Judge Advocate
Mark lunched together on the Iowa,
which lies six miles off. They did not
return to land. No session of the court
was held on shore, but it is understood
consultation took place between the
| officers OF the court and that Admiral
Sicard's wishes were communicated to
those who had talked with the fleet
commander personally.
| All officers and others thought that the
court of inquiry has come to the definite
conclusion that the explosion was
external and that the court is now only
This opinion is, however, only an
opinion, and of no further Importance;
for, with the exception Of the members
OF the court, Rear Admiral Sicard and
Commander West, no one here has any
real cue to the final decision.
| One of the officers of the Maine said to
this correspondents: "I believe the
Maine was blown up from the outside,
but judging from the question asked by
members of the court who are here, l
am unable to ascertain whether they have
even countenanced such solution of
the disaster.o
Yhe other officers will remain here al
though the only reason for their atten-
dance Is that they may testify further.
Unless the unexpected happens it is
safe to say the court will reconvene to-
morrow and hear testimony. But all the
Maine officers expect to get away by Sat-
urday.
The general impression is that the envi-
dence thus far received was carefully
gone over today and the points requiring
additional testimony were marked out.
Capt. Sampson and Judge Advocate
| Mark had long consultation with Admi-
raj Sicard, after which the officers, from
whom further testimony was deemed un-
necessary were given their leave orders:
| Amid cheers from their fellow survi-
vors and friends, the following officers of
the Maine left tonight on the steamer
Olivette via Tampa, for the destination
indicated after their respective names:
Lieut. 6. E. Holman. New York; Lieut..
J; ]. Blandin, Baltimore; 3s First Lieut..
Lieut. Geo. Blow, Chicago; Cadet Wash.
ington, Goldsboro, n. c.; Cadet Gren-
shaw, Greenville. Ala, and Boatswain
Larkin, Philadelphia.
| With the exception OF Lieutenant of
/ Marines Catlin, they are ordered to their
\ homes to await orders, Lieut. Ca lin is
to report by telegraph to Washington.
1 WHAT IS THOUGHT IN HAVANA.
| Havana, via Key West, March 16.-With
the departure Of the court of inquiry
after a second visit to the scene of the
wreck of the Maine the conditions grow
serious. The court, a body like a grand
Jury in its functions, is ready to report,
unless there are new discoveries
which Is unlikely.
There is no reason to change the belief
that the court will find the disaster was
caused by an explosion outside the Maine;
hut to members have been absolutely
discreet, while the talk of the divers has
been contradictory. From scores of bits
of evidence that has come out during
the three weeks' examination, it seems
as sure as anything in this latitude can
be that the plans before the court show
that the ship was broken in two and the
forward part rent by an explosion
| from the outside.
Capt. Sampson lntimated to CORE
spondent yesterday that the testimony
was ''gratifyingly complete :"
No one thinks any Spanish official or
officers of rank will be implicated, what
ever may be the finding of the court.
THE MAYFLOWER PURCHASED.
Washington, March 16.-It appears that
there is q much larger stock of vessels
right at home available for naval use
than was generally supposed, many of
which will make efficient cruisers and
punboats almost equal to vessels of the