The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-26
WASEXTERNAL
CAUSE OF THE MAINE EXPLOSION
DEFINITELY ANNOUNCED.
Report of the Naval Court of Inquiry
Submitted to the President and
Its Finding Made Public.
THERE WERE TWO EXPLOSIONS
THE FIRST PROBABLY DUE TO A.
SUBMARINE FLOATING NINE,
Which Set on One of the Small Maga-
zines of the Ship and Assisted in
the Work of Destruction.
RESPONSIBILITY NOT FIXED
SPANISH GOVERNMENT NOTIFIED OF
THE COURTS VERDICT.
Much Excitement at Key West Over
the RepOrt-AdmiraI Sicard
Interviewed.
RESPONSIBILITY NOT FIXED
SPANISH GOVERNMENT NOTIFIED OF
THE COURTS VERDICT.
Much Excitement at Key West Over
the RepOrt-AdmiraI Sicard
Interviewed.
Yesterdays DEVELOPMENTS.

Maine was destroyed by an outside
explosion through the means,
probably, of a floating submarine
mine. The external explosion set
OFF one of the ships small maga-
fix the responsibility. Minister
WOOdfOrd, at Madrid, was instruct
ed to notify the Spanish govern
ment of the result of our naval off,
GERS Investigation.
President Mckinley and his Cab
met held two conferences yester-
day and discussed the report of
the naval court of inquiry I'm de-
tail. AT the close OF the last session
members of the Cabinet said the
discussion was of a grave charac-
ter, and the situation was cOnsid-
cred critical. The President has
made no change in his policy, an
nOunced I'm the journal yesterday.
Spain has not been asked to make
reparatiOn. Soon after the report
of the naval court is transmitted
to Congress the President will send
another message, suggesting inter
bans. This, as stated several days
ago, may be the spark that will
ignite the passion of the Spaniards
and precipitate war.
of inquiry In the case of the
Maine says 1t has been scientific
ally and practically demonstrated
that the explosion was internal"
Spain is not disposed to recall
the torpedo flOtilla now en- route
for Porto Rico, and is also disin-
clined to consider suggestions
from this government regarding
the disposition of her fleet. As
sistant Secretary of the Navy
Roosevelt is anxious to have the
hOtiIla turned back, even if it is
necessary to use our cruisers. Naval
officer at Key West thinks our
navy will be at the mercy of this
formidable hOtilla If it is permit
ted to rendezvous within striking
distance of the Florida coast. Spain
is strengthening the fortificatiOns
of San Juan de Puerto Rico, for
which port the fiOtiIla is making.
A twenty-three-knOt torpedo
boat, constructed for the German
government, has been purchased
by Secretary Longs agents i'm Eu-
rope. Lieutenant COIwelI, naval
attache to our embassy at London,
has been instructed to ask the
builders Of the cruiser Albany, for
merly the Admiral AbrOuaIl, to
rush work on the vessel.
Official orders were issued yes
terday, appointing Captain Samp-
son cOmmander-in-chie of the
North Atlantic squadron, and plac-
ing Commodore SchIcy i'm charge
of the ''hying squadron" now i'm
course of formation at Hampton
Roads.
The naval militia of the New
England States, New York and New
Jersey will probably be called ON
to man the singIe-turreted mOni-
tors which are to be used for har-
bOr defense.
The revenue cutters of the great
lakes and Atlantic seacOast have
been added to the navy, and Capt.
Shoemaker is busy making details
of officers.
According to Key West advices,
the lighthouse tender MangrOve
has sailed from that place for Ha-
vana to bring home all United
states officials now there, except
Consul General Lee. Riots are
feared when the news of the find-
ing of the court of inquiry reaches
the Cuban capital.
In an interview at Key West Adj
miraI Sicard, in discussing the
court of inquiry's finding, said he
did not believe the Spanish state
ment that the harbOr of Havana
was not mined.
WASHINGTON, March 25,-The court OF
INQUIRY appointed 10 investigate the cause
IF the Maine disaster has reported that the
oss of the battle ship was due to an out
side explosion.
The State Department, by direction of the
President, has cabled United States Min
ster woodford, at Madrid, to notify the
Spanish government of this conclusion.
The President and his Cabinet advisers
held two extended sessions to-day. one at
OsO a. m. and another at $3.50 p. M. at
which the report was considered in detail.
Members of the Cabinet stated after the
meeting that the discussion was of grave
and that never since the wreck