The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-23
MAIN FORWARD MAGAZINE
PROBABILITY rs THAT IT'S CONTENTS
DID NOT EXPLODE.

The Press Censor Psrmits Thta Statement TO ne
Cahied-Corrsssrntive Evidence n the Fact
That = Case OF Gunpowaer from this mag
aslne Has been Found Intact-Tho war;
ships silver Service Recevered-A Havana
Newspapers Attack Unop Cart sIssbee.
In response to inquiries as to whether the
main forward magazine Of tho Maine blew up.
THE Sun received last night the following do
spatch from Its correspondent in Havana:
HAVANA, Feb. 22.-In reply to your inquiry
about the main forward magazine OF the Maine,
1t can only be said that tho magazine probably
did not explode. The press censor will not per
init details to be cabled."
HAVANA, Feb. GAN important discovery
was made to-day in the Maine. The divers
brought up a powder case for the 1oinch gun.
which they took from the part of the battleship
destroyed by tho explosion and In which tho
main gunpowder magazine ia situated. The
gunpowder discovered was in o bag, and tho
bag was contained in n copper case. The case
was entirely closed. but had an exterior mark
as II some hard object had struck 1t on tho out
side; but within the gunpowder Is absolutely
intact in its bag.
As the case was in the forward magazine, this
discovery is conclusive proof that, whether or
~ s"S "beSA SNpiouOhp htu ~ ~ nv kOleThl
belief that 1t did not explode. an important part
Of 1t, at least. where the discovered case was,
remains intact.
Neither the divers nor any one having official
connection with the investigation is willing to
say whether or not the magazine exploded.
Any positive declaration about the matter at
this time would be premature. Yet tho copper
case with its powder bag intact is a fact that
speaks for itsolf.
Thn .o, H.. x-S-. A. Nr-
Fern and put In the gunpowder magazine of the
revenue cutter. The correspondent saw 1t. The
exterior mark is merely a bruise.
The divers failed to-day to place an electric
light apparatus inside the Maine. connecting 1t
by a wire with the dynamo Of the Mangrove.
The cause Of this failure is that tho wire obtain
able in Havana is worthless for the desired pur-
pose. The work Of the divers is progressing very
slowly on account OF the pauoity here of ma
terials required by them. The wrecking tug
Neptune is eagerly expected here to-day from
Key West. She will bring all the necessary APP
paratus to raise the big guns, and especially to
clear out Of tho way Of the divers many large
objects and iron pieces which are hampering
them In their work.
1t is expected that the electric light will DO
in operation tomorrow and that 1t will greatly
aid in the Investigation.
Among the objects brought up to-day is tho
fine silverware of the battleship, which was
presented by the State of Maine, and also q low
ing cup. n gift of several citizens OF the same
State residing In New Orleans and presented
during the last visit Of the Maine to that port.
The divers brought up also many rifles. sabres,
and other less important objects.
At2P. NJ. the largest and finest flag of tho
Maine was discovered near Casa Blanca, across
tho bay. 1t was sent to the American Consulate.
All the American ships in port have their
flags in full display In honor of Washington.
The Spanish ships are also floating American
flags.
Coehbler died this morning in San Ambrosio
Hospital. His death was expected. After fright
full agony, in which the poor sailor was delirious
for several hours, he fell into q swoon and
passed peacefully away. Hotter is still in a
very desperate condition and may die at any
time.
A very sensational editorial was printed this |
afternoon in La Lucha against Capt. SiRsbee. |
1t says that Capt. Sigsbee Ia unlawfully form.
ing part of the Court of Inquiry which is inyes-
~tigating the cause Of the disaster of the Maine.
La Luchd adds that tho Captain Is a Judge in his
own case and that. therefore, all the conclusions
OF the Court OF Inquiry will be inadmissible &C.
cording to every principle of Justice. La Lucha,
like all the other Spanish newspapers here,
chooses to take the view that Capt. SiEsbee Is
responsible for the disaster, which was caused
by an accident as the result of carelessness and
lack of discipline on board the battleship. The
attack OF La Lucha on the Captain is a very
violent one.
The Captain, after the publication of this
article. received many expressions of sympathy
from Americans and the friends of America in
Havana. The truth is that he appeared yester.
day before the Court Of Inquiry only as a wit
ness. by the court itself, TO give his
testimony.
Tho Court Of Inquiry. accompanied by Consul
General Lee. called on Gen. Blanco this morn
ing. and later on Admiral Manterola.
Gen. Lee and Capt. Sigsbee have again con.
suited DIR. Drummer as to the advisability of send
ing the Maine's wounded sailors to Key W est.
The doctor objected to this and pointed to tho
Dry Tortugas as the place where the wounded
men might be taken with less danger to their
lives.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.-The Navy Department
has received no official information about the
copper powder case reported by the Havana
correspondent OF THE sun to have been found
to-day in the vicinity OF the Names forward
maRaZine- |