New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-19

IMPOSSIBLE SAYS CAPTAIN SAMPSON
TO SAY WHEN THE REPORT
WILL BE READY.
THE CRUISER MONTGOMERY ARRIVES At KEY
WEST -wARsHIPs OF THE FLEET STILL
TAKING on AMMUNITroN.

TAKING on AMMUNITION.
Key West. Flu. March 1S-.rhe Court Of In
Quiry is diligently continuing its sessions on
board the battle-ship Iowa; and Judging from
statements made by members. 1t Is quite prob
lemat'cal how many more days will pass before
the public learns It's conclusions.
BY the courtesy Of Rear-Admiral Sicard. the
correspondent OF the Associated Press was to-
day enabled to escape the rigor ot the recent
rule forbiddng correspondents 10 go on board
warshps. and was the fret civilian to interview
the members OF the Court OF Inquiry since they
secluded themselves on Wednesday on the Iowa.
Until to-day one might as we'll have been In
Havana for all that was known by personal OBJ
servation as to the actual presence OF the Court
here. Captain Sampson received the correspond
ent on the poop Of the splendid ship he com
mands. In the Admiral's cabin below were Cap
tain Chadwick. Lieutenant-Commander Potter
and Judge Advocate Mark. They had been in
session since 10 o'clock this morning. with the
ships writer acting clerk.
CAPTAIN SAMPSON TALKS A LITTLE
The Court Is still hard at work." he said II
have just left my confreres. 1t Is utterly impos-
sible to say when our report will be ready. II
surmised the date and you reported II, | am
afraid something might occur that would defeat
the expectation and only serve 10 dsappoint the
anxious public When the report Is ready. it
will not be for us to make the announcement
Washington presume. will do that
II a preliminary report had already been sent
TO Washington, Captain Sampson apparently
knew nothing Of It. In the course Of the after
noon. while the Court continued IN session with
out coming out OF the cabin. large Quanti-
ties OF ammunition were taken on board. The
pInca OO Wy
ships are now better supplied with ammunition
than they have been at any time before
At 4 o'clock this afternoon. the regular hour
at previous sessions Of the Court for adjourn
ment Captain Chadwick and Lieutenant-Com-
mander Potter entered a gig and were rowed
TO the New-York Judge-Advocate Mark Is
staying on board the Iowa. The Court will re-
sumo It's sessions tomorrow. when 1t Will devote
considerable time to the preparation Of dia-
grams, showing parts Of the Maine as found
after the explosion.
Unusual precautions are observed on the New
York and the Iowa. double harbor watches be-
Ing enforced. Every craft that passes on It's way
into the harbor Is submitted to the closest scru
tiny of searchlights. Both vessels are ready to
pull out at fifteen minutes notice, and special
attention is being given to the instruction OF the
sailors in small arms and firing practice.
RETURN OF THE MONTGOMERY
The cruiser Montgomery arrived here this
morning from Havana. and the cruiser Detroit
sailed this morning for the Tortugas Islands,
with provisions and ammunition for the feet
From the Tortugas the Detroit will proceed to
ort Tampa to load ammunition.
The Government tug Somerset arrived here
this morning from Philadelphia.
The Morgan Line steamer Aransas arrived
here this morning from Havana, with Senator
Money and Congressman Amos J. Cummings
and Alden Smith on board
The torDedo- boat Foote arrived this afternoon
from Charleston by way OF Jacksonville.
The cruiser Nashville sailed for the Tortugas
with supplies. simultaneously with the departure
Of the Detroit.
The Montgomery, with the exception OF the
torpedo-boats, is the only warship in the harbor
The Iowa and the New-York are still lying FAR
out.