Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-03-12
EXPLOSION WAS EXTERNAL.
prsu1T OF THE INVESTIGATION
xo.bing discovered by the Later
uorI, of the Divers tO Change
4ha Evidences First Gathered as
.o the Maine BattIeship's Disaster.

are all in the possession OF the naval
beard.
The divers have continued their work
during the absence of the board at Key
west They have discovered nothing to
change the evidences first gathered, which
showed, apparently, that the explosion
w.s external. Their examination this
week has extended alongside the plates
and they have penetrated forward well
into the bow. All they find is merely
son6rmatory of what was previously dis
covered.
Captain Sampson and his associates
were especially anxious to await further
work by the divers to determine whether
ar not mistakes had been made in any
particular Nothing has been found to
indicate a mistake. On the contrary, the
more thoroughly the hull is examined, the
more convincing appears the original evil
aences of explosion from without How
lenp the board will take to formulate its
conclusions on this point can be better
judged in Washington than in Havana.
Spaniards in No Hurry.
Notwithstanding the permission given
kv the United States government for
Spanish divers to examine the wreck, the
investigation by the Spanish authorities
of the condition of the ship proceeds slow
". They seem to be in no hurry to learn
the facts about the hull, magazines and
ether matters, which were first to engage
the attention of the naval board. The
government has, however, taken consid
cradle testimony of persons who were in
the harbor on the night of the explosion.
1t gives much weight to the testimony of
those who say they saw flames issuing
from the Maine before the ship was wreck
ed by an explosion.
VIII EXOnerate Sigsbee.
The understanding in Havana is that
the naval board will be emphatic in exon
Grating Captain Sigsbee and the officers
of the Maine from the implication of neg
ligence lack of discipline or responsibility
for the disaster. 1t has been almost for
gotten that, until the board reports on
the subject, Captain Sigsbee is nominally
under cloud. The secrecy with which
the investigation has been conducted has
not prevented the testimony OH the sub
ject from becoming known.
The board will be able to go further and
show that there was not only no accident
which could have been prevented, but also
no basis for the theories of accident from
an unknown cause. How far it will 90
in the assertion of positive proof that the
Maine was blown mp is for the present
speculative question.
The prevalent impression is that the
board has evidence of the deed, without
the means of finding out who committed
it. 1t is incumbent on the Spanish gov
eminent to find that out. The denial
credited to Senior Du Bose in Washington
that mines existed in Havana harbor. does
not receive the weight that would be Civ
on an official declaration from Captain
General Blanco or Premier SagaSta on
the same subject
The Spanish Attitude.
In official circles it is the evident pur
pose to combat the finding of the naval
board, but not aggressively. The Spanish
attitude seems to be that an accident was
probable and that the United States is not
justified in making demand for repara
ton when the proof of foul play is not
positive. The assumption will be that
he two governments, after taking evil
sence, will be unable to agree in their
conclusions. However, there has been
nothing in the nature of a Joint investiga
ton
From the present outlook Madrid and
A washington are the places where the
consequences of the Maine explosion will
De determined. Little more than already
known can be learned here. The wreck
II promises to remain in the harbor for an
indefinite period. The wrecking compan-
III les VIII be able to raise the guns of the
MAINE The hull is an asset of no value
70 any government.
Inc temper of the Spanish classes to-
"afo The United States finds some exhibi-
Jun at present, but not in the form of
S'ie demonstrations. 1t is rather in
Il we we shape of fervent protests and actions
loyalty to the mother country, The
ni"ai OF the warship Vizcaya has caused
!. oulpouring of the loyal spirit, though
was not exactly spontaneous for the
aonStration was arranged in advance
apparently large proportion of the
n p0puate are gratified to see the Vizcaya
~. e'ored not far from the other war
'nlps, which are to come and with the
ent peuo neet, Havana and the ports of
e are safe from an American fleet.
Spain Buys ships.
two uoh' March Spain has purchased
bean users Which the Armstrong; have
ana Ouiiding for Brazil, the Amazonus
each oa SISTER ship, unnamed, of 400 tons
Aeon.: 20 Knots and 10 guns. Spain is also
-egotiating for and v.;n ,uoilII-- 800