The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-25

!
the place where the battleship Maine
and the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII
anchored.
London, Feb. 25.-Spanish fours fell
in the Paris bourse from 60 11-16 to 60
1-16.
The Evening News alleges that the
Spanish bondholders have become
alarmed over the reports from Madrid
of a reservation taken by the Bank
of Spain regarding the payment of the
April coupons.
These reports were in circulation here
on Tuesday and caused a decline in the
securities; but they are still uncon-
firmed and the fail on the Paris bOurse
is due rather to alarmist Maine ru-
mors in Wall street.
Havana. Feb. 25.-Before the court of
inquiry Chaplain Chadwick was exam
ined as to mis- personal experience at
the time of the disaster to the Maine.
The testimony was also taken of the
captain of a British bark in the harbOr
and the superintendent of the West In
dian Oil works, across the bay at Re
gala, both of whom witnessed the eX-
plOSiOn. Mr.. Rolf, the British engineer
Of the floating dock in the harbor,
wrote a letter to the court, but, it is
said, did not add anything material to
what was known.
At the afternoon session the divers
were examined more fully than before.
Their testimony is taken from day to
day. The court expects now to finish
for Key West, where the officers and
men will be examined.
The wrecking tug Right Arm, did not
go north, as was expected. She is now
mOOred beside the poop of the wreck
and will salve the smaller portions a
far as possible in advance of the ar
rival of other tugs with better facili-
ties for heavy work. The hosting ap
paratus must be capable of raising
scores of tons to be effective in the
work to be accomplished.
II IL
quiry nor the witnesses will give the
slightest indication of the conclusions
deductable from it, and all say that the
men employed on the wreck have been
warned to observe an equally strict ret
icence. This course is regarded as en-
1 inently wise by the American and all
intelligent Spanish officials as there is
no telling what might be brought about
by talking freely on official matters in
the present state of public feeling in
Havana. Thus far, Americans are treat
ed with the utmost courtesy and kind
ness; and it seems the special care OF
the residents of Havana to show friend
illness.
Consul General Lee SAYS there is no
truth in the report that he asked Cap
tain General BlancO to dismiss from
CUBA certain newspaper men for send
ing sensational stories to the United
states On the contrary General Lee
has never interfered with the American
newspaper men in any way.
Today the principal streets and build
14ls5S are gay ~ decorated with naRS and
bunting in honor Of the Spanish sold
iers, 2,029 infantry men, under the COM
mand of Jose Amador, who arrived this
morning by the steamer MOnteVidO
from Barcelona.
General Sonola, the second chief of
staff, today returned on board the
Mangrove the visit of the court of in
curry, acting as the representative of
the government. Admiral Manterola
personally returned the visit paid to
him by the court. The Thursday re-
ffrar~c TDV-
sumed last evening.
At the session of the court of inquiry
the testimony of two civilians was ia
ken. Americans who saw the explosion
from the deck of the Ward line steam
er City Of Washington, that was m0Ored
a lew hundred yards from the Maine.
and of two divers who have been at
work on the wreck Tor several days.
The coast survey steamer A. D. Bache
after many delays left for Dry Tortugas
this afternoon with three wounded. all
doing we'll. Owing to the American
quarantine regulations the wounded,
having been in hospitals here and ex-
posed to fever must be taken to hos
pitals in the TOrtugas for quarantine.
No bodies were recovered from the
wreck yesterday. Recent orders from
Capt. Sigsbee strictly forbid all officers
of the Maine to give any information
except to those officially empowered to
ask for it.
The order is generally understood to
apply to official matters, though some
think it affects only matters connected
with the disaster.
St. Louis, Feb. 25.-The Globe-Demo-
crat today publishes the following from
its Washington correspondent:
The board of inquiry will report that
the destruction of the battleship Maine
in Havana harbOr was not the result of
an accident.
So much the investigation has devel-
oped, according to the information re-
ceived. This is not admitted officially,
but it is talked of privately Whether
the court will be able to point out detin-
itely and clearly the method of the
crime is yet to be determined.It is now
the hope of the administration that the
mysterious features will be cleared up,
but there is not full promise The
present stage indicates the probability
that the plot viii not be entirely un-
tablish the certainty of foul play and
that will be sufficient for the practical
purposes of the administration.
The responsibility will be put upon
Spain. 1t is now a matter of cOnsidera-
tiOn what shall follow Immediately the
finding of the court Upon that queS-
tiOn the administration is at work
When the court reports that the Maine
was blown up, and that the result was
not accident, the casei against Spain is
made. That country can meet the issue
with an offer of reparation. An Op1n-
ion that such will be her course has
been advanced by some 1t IS not en-
tertained by the administration The
Spanish government might be wiling
to admit the responsibility, but 1t viii
not dare. The Sagasta ministry and
Blanco seem to have some kindliness of
feeling toward this country, and to feel
real regret at the fate of the Maine
Their hold on power is slight.
The belief of the administration is
that the Spanish government Twill not
be strong enough, in the face of Span
ish sentiment, bitterly hostile toward
this country, to make amends for the
destruction of the Maine. The presi-
dent now looks forward to force as the
only method of settlement with Spain
He is no longer proceeding upon the
theory of accident The investigation