The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-08

MIN Ufldt II IS not YET possible TO 1lX a
date for the finding. as 50 much de-
pend5 upon the progress Of the divers
and the wreckers and the results they
obtain. Every effort is being made to
advance the inquiry. The court returns
to Havana by the Mangrove this even
ing, having about finished the examina-
tiOn at Key West.
(Signed) ''SLCARD.'
Admiral S.card's message is regarded
officially as dispOsing of the reports
that the court has as yet obta med pos
tive or conclusive information bearing
upon the object Of the investigation. 1t
is taken to mean that upon the teSti-
n1Ony or discoveries Of the divers will
depend the finding, the examination Of
the officers and crew Of the ship hav-
ing been insufficient to enable the court
to even form an idea as to what lines
may be Ofened up from the inVestlga-
tiOn of the wreck itself.
While the telegram was somekhat of
a, disappointment in leaving the ter
minatiQn Of the inquiry as much in
doubt as ever, it was WelrnnnI as
practically setting at rest the reports
as to the results of the inves tigatiOn
up to date. 1t is stated that the board
in all probability will not return to Key
West, the department. having intimat-
ed that it was it's desire that the eX-
ANIMATION OF Nne OiilctlS anu Ulell
should be concluded at this sitting as
they are needed for reassignmemt to
ships.
THE OLYMPIA TO RETURN HOME.
It is probable that the Olympia
flagship Of the Asiatic squadron, and
the peerless queen of the cruisers, will
come home to San Francisco. The nav
igatiOn bureau has this movement un-
der consideration, and in view of the
fact that the ship has been three years
away from a navy-yard, engaged in
hard cruising service, even if there
were no other reasons, it is probable
that the order would be given.
The torpedo boat Winsow, at Nor
folk has completed her repairs and will
join the tiOtilla at Key West ais soon as
the gale on the coast blows itself out
and makes the run down safe.
SPANS PURCHASE WARSHIPS
Naval officers are deeply interested
in the reports of the purchase of war;
ships by Spain and make the reports
of these transactions the text for COM
plalnc5 Of the inability OF our navy
department to do likewise. However,
as to the report from London to day
of the purchase Of the AmaZ0nius by
Spain, 1T is said, at the department
that this vessel sailed for Brazil sew
eral months ago and has been deliver
ed to the Brazilian government. Her
sister ship is near completion in the
Armstrong yards. They are useful
cruisers, copies of the Barossa, now of
the Brazilian navy and their strong
point is their great radius of action
g, 900 mileS-Which would enable them
to cross the Atlantic and racrOSS with
out renewing their coal supply. The
other two ships building for Brazil
in France which are also reported to
be about to pass into Spanish posses
sion, are presumed to be the DeadOro
and the Fl0riona, which are building
at La Scinne, TOulOn. These are
small but powerful battleships. Their
tonnage is only 5162, but they carry
four 10 inch rifles in turretS, in ad
ditiOn to two inch and four 4.7-inch
guns and a good secondary battery.
Their coal endurance, however, is
small and their force would seem to be
coast defense operations, or cruising
near a base of supplies.
The London reports also caused
comment at the state department.. In
some quarters the feeling was express
ed that pehling the finding of a court
of inquiry on a case having the inter-
national phases of the Maine explosion
the obligations of Neutrality were as
~ -rNngly imposed on England and Bra
zil in time of war. But, as a general rule
foreign governments are free to sell
Warships. either directly or through
their citizens, up to the actual date of
hOStilitieS
QUIET AT THE WAR DEPART
MENT
Matters were very quiet, at least eX-
ternally in the war department. to day.
So it was unknown officially that the
Ny,I. I ,ly.O lN1I
ed and it was said that if this were
so. it could be nothing more than The
usual periodical inspection officers at
Bethlehem to be ready for a quick
start, it was said that Captain McNutt
and Lieutenant Be1et, who have been
on inspection duty for several ears
past, are not to be disturbed and have
had no orders such as are reported
from Bethlehem.
SCOPE OF DUTIES OF THE COURT.
Admiral Sicard's precept convening
the court Of inquiry now investigating
the disaster of the battleshfp Maine
has been received by the navy depart
ment and was made public today. 1t
lis important mainly in showing the
exact scope of THE inquiry and the eX
tent to which the report VIII go. Aside
from the usual orders directing The
court to report both findings of
fact and its opinions on these findings,
Admiral Sicard directs the court to re-
cord any information as to person or
persons, mot connected with the navy
of the United States who are, in it's
opinion, responsible, in part or wholly,
directly or indirectly for the explosion
and loss of the Maine with names,
and the degree Of responsibility in each
case. The court is to make its report
to Admiral SicaFd.
The state department received ne
following telegram from Consul Gen
favana March 8, 1898.
Il have established an asylum for
destitute small orphans, regardless Of
nationality. The money sent by you
will be applied 10 the purchase of food
for said orphans"
The war department. it is under
stood, will endeavor to induce the
treasury officials to return TortugaS
island ITO its jurisdiction. but at the
treasury department., it is said that no
request has yet been made upon the
secretary of the treasury for the re-
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