Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-03

Washington, March 2.-The tension
ersr ne Maine affair is noticeabIy re-
Ueyed in all official quarters to-day,
uarly because Of the absence of dis
u4t-hes to the State or navy depart
Duts, bearing on the subject, and
also because of the conservatism in
s0red by Secretary Longs utterance
yesterday that the element of Spanish
anticipation in the disaster has been
Eliminated, in his judgment Although
j4e navy department had no reports
from havana or Key West, dispatch
Huounclng the departure of the crui-
81 Brooklyn from Santa Lucia for La
G.Iyra had some indirect Significance
III further removing one OF the larger
vessels Of the navy from what is
taHs lar been the common center OF
naval activity, at Key West. The
Brooklyn win make a short stop at
IA Guayra and then proceed farther
southwark.
Both the State department and the
department Of justice have received
considerable detailed information rela-
ave to the alleged flibustering steam
er Dauntless. This is accompanied
bg the suggestion that the vessel
NIGHT BE LIBELLED
under the navigation Jaw for conceal
ing her name and under the neutrali-
y laws for carrying war material to
,he Cubans The correspondence be-
san on January II last and covers
much data on the past record Of the
Nanntless. 1t states that the middle
1 January last the Dauntless was HOY
oring between Georgia and Florida
ports for the evident purpose Of elud-
ing detection so as to get away with
a filibustering party for Cuba. The
irtimatiOn was conveyed to the de-
Dartment of justice that this purpose
vas so clear that it would be wise
precaution to place a deputy L. s.
marshal or deputy collector of customs
on board the ship A memorandum
racites the basis Of suspicion of the
Dauntless.
It states that in the case of the Uni
led States V. John D. Hart, recently ap-
proved by the Court of Appeals, the
testimony of one witness was that the
Dauntless had painted out her name in
order to avoid recognition while TAX
ing supplies for the Cubans from the
island of Nayassa to Cuba. The tes-
timony of the witness is given in de
tail. He says the supplies were first
brought
FROM THE UNITED STATES
to Navassa on the ship Laurada, where
they were transferred to the Daunt-
less. lie says he noticed that the
word "Dauntless' appeared on the
buckets, axe handles and yawls of the
vessel, but that the name on the bow
was covered with a piece of canvass
and the name on the stern was paint
ell out For this alleged Offense
against against the navigation laws,
id is pointed ont, the Dauntless has
never been prosecuted, and it is claim
ed to be a continuing offense, for
which she is now subject to libel The
memorandum also cites another in
stance occurring last May when it is
stated that the United States cruiser
Narblehead overhauled the Dauntless.
1Aereupon it is stated the DauntleSs
threw over her cargo ''as witnessed
TN the officers Of the Marbehead." 1t
is also stated that the Dauntless has
haen known to apply for clearance
from Florida ports when she had on
hoard cargoes consigned Ito the Pres
idcnt Of the Cuban republic
This material, already in the hands
Of the authorities here, will be supple
mented by additional information
bearing on the recent movements OF
THE Dauntless, although it is said that
the showing already made suffices for
ACTION AGAINST HE VESSEL.
Al The Spanish legation the Maine
inquiry is not the subject of official
attention, and beyond sharing in the
general interest that is felt in the sub
jeir the legation officials have no oc-
easiOn TO consider officially any Of the
phases of the affair Mr. DuBosc feels
satisfied, from all the advices he has
received. that the inquiries proceeding
at Havana are being facilitated by
both parties. lie says the Spanish
officials gave the fullest opportunities
to the American divers in making
their investigations of the wreck, and
that Captain Sigsbee has shown the
same consideration to the Spanish OIL
cidis and their divers. AS TO the press
report coming from Madrid that
mixed commission may ultimately be
required. Mr.. DuBosc feels that this
is quite too far off and that the flrst
findings will be sufficiently conclusive
III establishing the accidental cause OF
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