Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-26
THE MAINE DISASTER.

The administration still remains irm
in it's statement that there is no cred.
ible evidence one way or the other as
to the cause Of the Maine disaster, and
holds to its purpose to await the con-
clusion of the investigation now max
ing by the court of inquiry. This posi-
lion was emphasized at yesterdays
cabinet meeting. The members frank
" admitted that the subject of the
loss OF the Maine had been dis
cu:sed, but said that the gov
eminent had received no H.
formation from Havana since Thursday
and had no intention of changing its
policy until there was something of
substance to warrant it. The Spanish
legation yesterday was equally in the
dark as to any of the discoveries re-
ported from sources that are not cited,
as was shown by the message from
Captain General Blapco.
Secretary Long, having been under a
heavy strain since last Tuesday. has
Withdrawn from the Navy Department,
and gone away for few days rest,
leaving Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
to manage the department. Just be-
fore the department closed yesterday
evening he had word OF the sailing OF
the cruiser Montgomery from Tampa
for Key West Up to that time the yes
sci had been given no orders, so that
the date of her departure for Havana,
if she is to 60 at all, is copjectural
The ship went to Tampa instead of Key
West on her return from San Domingo
in order to facilitate the speedy return
to his duties in Washington Of Capt.
CrowniDsheld, the chief Of the NaViga-
ton Bureau, who saved full day by
the movement.
As it is impossible that the report of
the court of Inquiry m3y show the de
struction of the Maine was not due to
accident, some OF the officials of the ad-
ministratOn have been looking up the
subject of indemnities so as 10 lay the
foundation of case, if it should be de-
cided to resort to that method Of settle
ment with Spain. There are. it is said,
many precedenls which will aid the
authorities in shaping their action in
this direction when the facts are fully
established.
Yesterday the time of the board it,
vestigating the cause of the lost OF the
Maine was devoted almost exclusively
to hearing reports of the Navy De-
partment. The divers and enc or two
other witnesses were heard, but their
stories were Of little importance. Great
err reserve than ever is observed as TO
the character of the testimony elected
from the divers, but this Is no reason to
believe that anything was learned yes
terday to alter materially the bea'ipgs
of the testimony already taken from
similar sources.
One of the gratifying results of SUBJ
marine work was the recovery in com.
paratively good condition of the pay.
masters safe, containing about $22, 700.
This was accomplished by the divers OF
the naval vessels here.
A dispatch from Havana says: On
board the Mangrore yesterday evening
all signs indicated the early departure Of
the board of inquiry for Key West.
While the board was taking recess
q Spanish barge came alongside bearing
Spanish senior lieutenant, who inquir.
ed for Captain Sigsbee. He evidently
came as the official representative Of
the Spanish admiral. The messenger
expressed Admiral Manterola's parting
greetings to the members of the board,
and he and Captain Sigsbee chatted
pleasantly in English for about ten
minutes.
An impression prevails in Havana
among some people that the Maine was
exploded by some friend of the Weyler
administration, with view OF injuring
the Blanco government. The wreck OF
the Maine is slowly but surely sinking
into the mud. Before the hull could
be raised it would be necessary to re-
move the guns and deck debris. For
lack of proper appliances practically
nothing in this line has been accomp-
lished. Aside from the officers and
cabin effects. the salvage thus far has
been pitifully small. 1t is reported that
the board ofinquiry has abandoned all
hope of raising the Maine, and that she
will be left in the harbor for Spanish
authorities to remove, after the divers
get through.