The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1898-03-04
BARREN OF RESULTS.
Americans and Spaniards in Cuba
Dissatisfied.
INVESTIGATION INTO THE DISASTER
Entirely SuPsricial-Expsrt Divers Should
Have Been Employed at the Earliest
Moment Think the Proper
Course Has Been Pursued.

He'ANA. Feb. Many Americans
and some Spaniards here insist that
the investigation into the Maine disas-
ter has thus far been superficial and
barren of vital results They claim
that. though nearly two weeks have
passed no knowledge has been gained
as to the condition of the forward part
of the hull. or as to whether the six or
ten-inch ammunition magazines for
ward to the starbOard exploded. They
insist, moreover. that expert divers,
with enough experience to make draw
ings of the condition of things subma-
rine. might have been at work week
ago and might have settled the ques-
tiOn as to magazines at least ere this.
Those who hold these views demand
that the hull forward should be raised
without further loss of time and be-
fore it has sunk too deep in forty feet
of soft mud. There are some who go
so far as to charge the United States
government with adopting the Spanish
policy of delay until the disaster shall
be partially forgotten or discounted.
Many of the Spanish officials are said
to entertain the opinion that this is the
the notion.
On the other hand, however. good
judges say that all criticism in this
vein is made without a knowledge of
the facts and that no one save the mem
bers of the court of inquiry and their
superiOrs is aware of all the testimony
developed or of what submarine plans
have been made. Those also urge that
there is no use trying to raise the huh
until the wreckage or armOr. super
structure. engine docks, guns and
masts have been taken out To do this
will take time and the apparatus for
the work can only be found in the
north. 1t is said no company in the
world ever took contract for such
work where the blowing up of the
wreck by dynamite was prohibited
that the most important evidence be
not destroyed.
But even the most moderate strongly
deprecate any more delay than is abSO-
lutely necessary. while all agree that
the American people are not likely to
forget so readily. Rumors of this, that
or the other discovery. setting on foot
this, that or the other theory. are still
rife. In most cases, when run down.
they are easily proved to be false. 1t is
useless to deny that the interest here
is much less intense than it was a week
ago. but it is ever ready to be kindled
anew by any established facts.
The court of inquiry is as quiet as
the statue of Memmon. as dignifed
. I'D as stern. Its members are cour-
teous. but they feel deep responsibility
resting upon them. To talk indis-
creetly might not only cost a commits
sion. no matter how high the rank of
the holder. but it would surely precipi-
tate trouble, either here or in the
United States. They were not exclu-
sive when on shore and they dined
with Consul Lee now and again. but
the wreck was always a prohibited
topic.
1t is generally expected that the
court of inquiry will return here after
is likely that efforts will be made by
agents during the court 5 absence to Sc
cure other testimony.
The arrival of a battalion of more
than 1000 regular troops from BARGE
Iona, as already cabled. excited public
interest only for the day. Guns were
fired. ''Vivas" shouted and decorations !
which the rain spoiled hung up, but that !
was all there was of it. These men. SC |
it is alleged, are the advance guard OF |
a division of 1l.OO0 Spanish regulars !
sent to take the place of the sick and |
wounded who have returned TO Spain |
within the last few months
The Spaniards know that Senator |
Proctor is a close friend of President |
and, despite his disclaimer |
of political mission. they continue tc
attach considerable Importance to his |
visit at this juncture. Some think that |
he has been sent here by the president |
to make a report on the situation "a |
Mr.. Blount was sent to Hawaii by |
President Cleveland.
The Spanish, who, in the main. are |
ignorant of American customs and po-
litical methods. cannot understand |
why a former secretary of war should |
come to Havana. and there are many |
expressions of surprise that Senator
Proctor is not in uniform instead OF |
civilian dress.
Great preparations are being made
TO welcome the cruiser Vizcaya.
Senior Riviera, editor of La Discus
sion, says: The general impression
here is that the United States court of
inquiry has already decided that the
disaster of the Maine was the result OF
an accident"
The grip is very prevalent in Ha-
Vana.
ALREADY CUBA LIBRE.