Ho IS
J PAGES.
cranton
PAGES.
53WBjLI!MSTiaWisa5Mlj
TWO GENTS.
MESSAGE OF
PRESIDENT
Review of the Report
of the Maine Court
of Inquiry.
GLANCE AT MAIN FEATURES
The Salient Points Are Clear
ly Presented.
Docif Not Doubt Tlint thn Spanish
Corrrnniclit Ulll IHctnto n Course
of Aotloii Consistent with rrlondljr
Relations ofllin Two (iovornments.
In tho Meantimu Deltborrtto Con
j' sldoratlon on 1'nrt ol Congress Is
Invoked.
Washington, March 28. The presi
dent today sent the following message
to congress:
To tho congress of the United States.
For some timo prior to tho visit ot
the Matno to Havana harbor, consular
reports pointed out the advantages to
flow from the visit of national hhlps
to Cuban waters in accustoming tf.o
people to the presence of our flag as
the symbol of good will and of our
ships In the -fulfillment of the mission
of protection to American Interests
even though no Immediate need there
for might exist.
SENDING MAINE TO HAVANA.
Accordingly on tho 21th of January
ast, after conference with the Span
ish minister in which the renewal of
visit of our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted,
the peninsular authorities at Madrid
and Havana were advised of tho pur
pose' of this government to rcsumo
friendly naval visits at Cuban ports,
and that In that view the Maine would
forthwith call at tho port of Havana.
This announcement was received by
so Spanish government with appre-
tlpn of tho friendly character of
visit of the Maine and with no-
4catfan of Intention to return tho
lurtes by sending Spanish ships to
principal ports or tho United
lates. Meanwhile the Maine entered
le port of Havana on the 23th of
Inuary, lior arrival being marked
Hi no rinoclal incident besides thn
khango of customary salutes and
pmonlal visits.
Maine continued in the harbor
kavana during tho three weeks
lcr arrival. No appreciable
ittended her stay: on the
Ifeollng of relief and con
ned tho resumption of 'tho
tted friendly Intercourse.
was this immediate cf-
llslt that tho consul gen-
lurged that the presence
Fin Cuban waters should
r retaining the Maine at
In the event of her re-
ng another vessel thero
lace.
?N pP THE MAINE.
tiutes past nine in the
of tie 15th of February the
Fwas destroyed by an explosion,
fnlch twb entire forward Dart of
ship was wrecked. In this catns-
l)he two ofllcers and two hundred
sixty-four of -her crew perished.
le who were not killed outright by
fxplclon being penned between
lis by the tangle of wreckage and
Mic-d by tho Immedlato sinking of
I hull. Prompt assistance was ren
d by tho neighboring vessels an
ted in the harbor, aid being es-
pilly given by the boats of the
nan cruiser Alphonso XII. and
Ward lino steamer City of Wash-
ton, which lay not far distant. Tho
"ounded were generously cared for
'by the authorities of Havana, tho
hospitals being freely opened to them,
wnue tho lirst recovered bodies of tho
dead wero Interred by the municipal
ity in a publlo cemetery in the city.
Tributes of grief and sympathy wero
ottered from all official quarters of
the Island. The appalling calamity
fell upon the people of our country
with crushing force, and for a brief
time un intense excitement prevailed,
i which, In a community less Just and
seir-controlled than ours. mlKht havo
Ued to hasty acts of blind resentment.
JS spirit, however, soon gavo wav
to tfft calmer processes of reason,
and to tho resolve to Investigato tho
llans and await material proof be-
formlng a Judgment as to the
i', the responsibility and the facts
itlng tho remedy due. This
necessarily recommended lt-
kom tho. outset to the execu-
tr only In the light of a dls-
ntely ascertained certainty
! coiMt determlno the nature and
mejWro of Its full duty in the mat-
Tho usual procedure was followed.
as In all cases of casualty or dis
aster to national vessels of any mari
time Btate. A naval court of Inquiry
I was at once organized, composed of
officers well quallfled by rank and
Practical experience to discharge the
fnerous duty imposed unon them.
lMdd by a strong force of wreckers
and divers the court proceeded to
make a thorough investigation on tho
spot, employing every available means
for the Impartial and exact determin
ation of the causes of the explosion.
Its operations have been conducted
with the utmost deliberation and Judg
ment and while Independently pursued
no source of Information was neglect
cd and the dullest opportunity was
allowed for a simultaneous Investiga
tion by the Spanish authorities.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY'S WORK.
The finding of the court of In
quiry was reached after twenty-three
days of continuous labor on the 21st
of March, and having been approved
on the 22nd by the commander-in-chief
of the United States naval force on
the North Atlantic station, was trans
mitted to the executive.
It is herewith laid beforo the con
gress, together with ho voluminous
testimony taken beforo the court.
Its purport Is In brief as follows;
When the Maine arrived at Havana
It was conducted by the regular gov
ernment pilot to buoy No 4, to -vhlch
'she was mooted In Ave end one -alt to
fsU fathoms of water.
The state of discipline aboard and
the condition of her magazlnas, boil
ers, coal hunkers and storage com-
: sosr
tho conclusion that excellent .
prevailed and that no indication of
any causo for an Interna) explosion
existed In any quarter.
At S o'clock Jn the evening of Feb
ruary 15 everything had been reported
secure and all was quiet.
At forty minutes past 9 o'clock tho
vessel was suddenly destroyed.
There were two distinct explosions
with a brief interval between them.
Tho first lifted the forward part or tho
ship very pcrcoptlbily; tho second,
which was moro open, prolonged and
of greater volume, is attributed by tho
court to partial explosion of two or
moro of tho forward magazines.
Tho cvldcnco of tho divers estab
lished that tho after part of the ship
was practically Intact, and sank in
that condition a very fow minutes af-.
ter tho explosion. Tho forward part
was completely demolished.
CONCLUSIONS OF COURT.
Upon tho evidence of a concurrent
external cause the finding of tho court
is ns follows:
At frame 1? tho outer shell of the
ship, from a point eleven and one-half
feet from tho middle of tho ship, and
six feot above tho keel when In its
normal position, has been forced up so
ns to be now about four feet above the
surface of the water, therefore, about
thirty-four ftet above where it would
be had the ship sunk unlnjutcd.
Tho outside bottom plating Is bent
Into a reversed V shape, the nfter
wing of which, about fifteen feet
broad and thirty-two feet In length
(frame IT to 23) Is doubled back upon
Itself against tho continuation of the
same plating extending forward.
At frame IS the vertical keel is
broken In two and the flat keel bent
into an unglo similar to the angle
formed by tho outsldo plato. This
break Is now about six feet below tho
surface of tho water and about thirty
feet nbove its normal position.
In the opinion of the court this effect
could have been produced only by the
external explosion of a mlno situated
under the bottom of the ship at about
frame 18, and somewhat on tho shoro
side of tho ship.
The conclusions of the court are:
That the loss of the Maine was not
In any respect duo to fault or negli
gence on tho part of any of the ofll
cers or members of her crew.
That the ship win destroyed by the
explosion of a submarine mine, which
caused the partial explosion of two or
moro of her forward magazines, nnd
That no evidence has been obtain
able fixing tho responsibility for tho
destruction of the Maine upon any
person or porsons.
'I have directed that the finding of
tho court of inquiry and the views of
this government thereon be communi
cated to the government of her maj
esty, the queen regent, and I do not
permit myself to doubt that the sonso
of Justtco of the Spanish nation will
dtctato a course of action suggested
by honor and the friendly relations of
the two governments.
It will be the duty of the executive
to advise congress of results, and in
the meantime deliberate consideration
is Invoked.
(Signed) William McKlnley,
Executive Mansion, March 2S, 1SDS.
THE MAINE INQUIRY
l'ull Text ol the Report Submitted to
Congress YesterdnyStnte
of Discipline.
Washington, March 28. The follow
ing is the full text of the report of the
court of inquiry:
U. S. S. Iowa, Key West, Monday,
March 21, 1S9S. After full and mature
consideration of all tho testimony bo
fore It, the court finds as follows:
J. That the United States battleship
Malno arrived In the harbor of Hav
ana. Cuba, on tho twenty-fifth day of
January, 1838, and was taken to buoy
No. J, in ,from five and a half to six
fathoms of water, by tho regular gov
ernment pilot. Tho United States con
sul general at Havana had notified the
authorities at that place, tho previous
evening, of the intended arrival of tho
Maine.
2. The state .of discipline on board
the Malno was excellent, and all or
ders and regulations In regard to tho
care and safety of tho shlp were
strictly carried out.
THE CARE OF AMMUNITION.
All ammunition was stowed in ac
cordance with prescribed instructions,
and proper care was taken whenever
ammunition was handled. Nothing
was stowed in any one of the maga
zines or shell rooms which was not
permitted to bo stowed there. The
magazines and shell rooms were al
ways locked after having boon opened,
and nfter the destruction of the Malno
the kes wero found In their proper
pluco in tho captain's cabin, every
thing having been reported bocuio
that evening at 8 o'clock. Tho tem
perature of tho magazines and shell
rooms were taken dally and reported.
Tho only magazine which had an un
due amount of heat was tho after
ten-Inch magazine, and that did not
explode at tho time the Maine was
destroyed. The torpedo war heads
were all stowed In tho after part of
tho ship under the ward room, and
neither caused nor participated in tho
destruction of the Maine.
GUN COTTON AND DETONATORS.
Tho dry gun cotton primers and de
tonators were stowed in tho cabin aft,
and remote from the scene of the ex
ploHlon. Waste was carefully looked
after on th,o Malno to obviate danger.
Special orders In regard to this had
been given by the commanding olll
cer. Varnishes, dryers, alcohol and
other combustibles of this nature were
stowed on or abovo tho main deck,
and could not have had anything to do
with the destruction of the Maine.
The medical stores wero stowed aft
under the ward room and remote from
tho scene of explosion. No dangerous
stores of any kind were stowed below
in any of the other store rooms.
CONDITION OF COAL BUNKERS.
Tho coal bunkers wero inspected
dally. Of these bunkers adjacent to
the forward magazine and shell rooms,
four wero empty; namely: "II 3, B 4,
U 6. B 6."
"A 15" had been in use that day ana
"A 1G" was full of "new river coal."
This coal had been carefully Inspected
on receiving it'On board. Tho bunker
in which It was stowed was accessible
on three sides at all times, and the
fourth sldo at tho time on account of
bunkers "H 4" nnd "H 6" being empty.
This bunker "A 16" had been Inspected
that day, by the engineer olllcer on
duty.
The tiro alarms In the bunkers weie
In worklng.order and there had never
been a case of spontaneous combustion
of coal on board the Maine.
The two utter bolters of the ship
were on tiro at time of disaster but
for auxiliary purposes only, with n
comparatively low pressuro of steam
and being tended by a reliable watch.
These boilers could not hnvo caused
th vn!nln 'h .hi.. 'hr onr
SCRANTON. PA..
fju.iqj'I ojrj g
vm ... , O UCUI1 IUUHU
by tho divers and aro in a lair condi
tion. On the night of tho destruction of
tho Malno everything had been report
ed secure for the night at S p. m. by
reliable persons through the proper
authorities to the commanding olll
cer. At tho tlmo tho Maine was de
stroyed tho ship waH quiet, and there
fore least liable to accident caused
by movements from those on board.
EXPLOSIONS.
3. The destruction of tho Malno oc
curred at 0.40 p. m. on the 13th day of
February, 1M8, In tho harbor of Hav
ana, Cuba, she being at tho timo
moored to tho sumo buoy to which
she had been taken upon her nrrlval.
There were two e: plosions ol a dis
tinctly different character with a
very short but distinct Interval be
tween them, iind tho forward part of
the ship was lifted to a marked degree
at tho tlmo of tho first explosion. Tho
first explosion was moro In tho na
ture of a report, Uko that of a gun;
while tho second explosion was moro
open, prolonged and of great vo umc.
This second explosion was, li tho
opinion of court, canned by the par
tial explosion of two or moro o tho
forward magazines of tho Maine.
CONDITION OF THE WREC ".
4. Tho evidence bearing upon lis,
being principally obtained from Al -rs,
did not enable tho court to fori a
definite conclusion as to iho condi on
of the wreck, although it was est .b
Ushcd that tho after part of tho t ilp
was practically Intact and sank in
that condition a very few minutes f
ter the destruction of tho lorwa'd
part.
Tho following facts in regard to t o
forward part of tho ship are, howovc ,
established by tho testimony:
That portion of the port sldo of th i
protective deck which extends froi
about frame CO to about framo 41, wn
blown up aft and over to port. Tlv
main deck from about frame 30 t
about framo 41 was blown up aft, am.
slightly over to starboard folding th(
forward part of the middle superstruc
ture over and on top of tho alter part.
This was. In the opinion of the court,
caused by the partial explosion of two
or more of tho forward magazines of
the Maine.
PART OF KEEL FORCED UPWARD.
C. At frame 17 the outer shell of tho
ship from a point eleven and one-half
feet from tho middle Hue of the ship,
and six feet nbovo tho keel when in
its normal position, has been forced up
so as to be now about four feet above
tho water; therefore, about thirty
four feet above whore It would be hud
the ship sunk uninjured.
The outside bottom plating Is bent
into a roversed V shape, tho after
wing of which, about fifteen leet
broad and thirty feet In length (from
frame 17 to frame 23) is doubled back
upon itself against tho same plating
extending forward.
At framo IS the vertical keel Is
broken in two, and tho flat keel bent
Into an ancle similar to the anglo
formed by tho outside bottom plating.
This break is now about six feet below
the surfaco of tho water and about
thirty feet above its normal position.
In the opinion of tho court, this ef
fect could have been produced only by
the explosion of a mine situated under
the bottom of the ship at about frame
18 and somewhat on the port side of
tho ship.
6. Tho court finds that tho loss of the
Maine, on tho occasion named was not
in any respect due to fault of negli
gence on tho part of nny of the offi
cers or members of the crow of said
vessel.
7. In tho opinion of the court the
Maine was destroyed by the explosion
of a submarine mine, which caused
the partial explosion of two or more
of her forward magazines.
8. The court has been unable to ob
tain evldenco fixing the responsibility
for the destruction of the Maine upon
any person or persons.
W. T. Sampson, Captain, U. S. N.,
President.
A. Marix, Lieutenant Commander, U.
5. N., Judge Advocate.
The court having finished the In
quiry it was ordered to make, ad
journed at 11 a. m. to await tho ac
tion of the convening authority.
W. T. Sampson, Captain U. S. N.,
President.
A. Marix, Lieutenant Commander U.
B. N., Judge Advocate.
United States flagship New York,
March 22, 1838, oft Key West, Fla.
ADMIRAL SICARD APPROVES.
Tho proceedings and findings of tho
court of inquiry in tho above case are
approved.
M. Slcard, Rear Admiral, Commander-in-Chief
of tho United States
Naval force on tho North Atlantic
Station.
WON'T STAND DELAY.
Itndicnl .llcmbnr Not to Da Hold in
Check Uncli IiOtignr.
Washington, March 28. A number of
senators and representatives of both
parties conferred with the president at
the White House tonight. It Is 'said
that the opinion expressed by most of
those who talked with Mr. McKlnley
was th'at congress was inclined to ob
ject to further delay towards a set
tlement of tho Spanish situation, and
that unless the next message was more
definite, the radical members coulcr
not be held In check.
At the meeting of the senate com
mittee on foreign relations on Wednes
day Senator Fryo will move that the
committee remain in continuous ses
sion until the question relating to the
Maine, Cuba nnd Spain are settled.
Mr. Forakcr will Introduce tomorrow
a resolution recognizing the independ
ence of Cuba.
CUBA WILL NEVER YIELD.
So Snysthe Junta's Attornor, Ilorntlo
M. Reubens.
New York, March 28. "Tho United
States may make arrangements with
Spain, but the Cubans will never con
sent to an armistice or any other plan
but independence," raid Horatio S.
Rubens, counsel for the Cuban Junta,
today.
"The Cubans would be thankful for
the Interest shown by this country, but
would have to respectfully decline all
such propositions. It Is an absolute
loss of time for the United States to
entertain any negotiations of the kind
with Spain."
fcrcirinrjr tinge Will Not Ursigii.
Washington, March 28. There Is no
truth in the report that Becrotary Uago
has resigned or has nny intention of re
signing. In the course of a conversation
today the "secretary said that thore wus
perfect unity In tne cabinet on the Cuoan
nlieat'n
TUESDAY MORNING.
THE MESSAGE IS
READ IN CONGRESS
lolcnsc Interest Aroused la Both Senate
and House.
IMMENSE CROWDS IN GALLERIES
TlirouKhout Hie Rending of the Mes
sage nnd Report of Finding ol Conrt
Nut the hlightrst Demonstration
I Mndo in Snnnte, Though n
Wave ol Applniiso Uretts the flics
sage in tho Home.
"Washington, March ?8. A scene of
Intense interest was presented in the
senate todny when the president's
message transmitting the findings of
tho Maine court of Inquiry waa re
ceived. Tho galleries were packed to the
doors and the attendance of senators
was quite ns large as it has been at
any time during the present session.
Eager to ascertain tho full findings of
the court, scores of members of the
house after the ndjournment of that
body had hurried to the senate cham
ber and the floor was crowded with
them.
When the reading of the president's
message was begun, a hush eo marked
tell over the chamber that one liter
ally might have heard a pin fall.
Throughout the reading of both the
message and the findings of the court
there was not tho slightest demonstra
tion. Following closely upon the mes
sage nnd findings came the speech of
Mr. Money (Miss.) upon his recent ob
servations in Cuba and tho deductions
from them which he had made. He
spoke extemporaneously and his vigor
ous, and, at times, impassioned, elo
quence carried hla auditors in full sym
pathy with him. Upon the announce
ment of Representative Slmpklns'
death, the senate adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
The reading of the president's mes
sage in tho house today was listened
to with breathless Interest by the mem
bers and the spectators In the gal
leries who were crowded in like sar
dines In a box.
Upon conclusion of the reading of the
message It was referred to the foreign
affairs committee. There was no con
troversy over its reference to the com
mittee. When the reading of the mes
sage was finished a wave of applause
swept from floor to ceiling.
The death of Representative Slmp
klns was then announced and the house
adjourned.
Mim SQUADRON.
Commodore Schloy Tnlics Command.
Moro Than Usual Enthusiasm
Displayed by tho ill on.
Fort Monroe, Vsu, March 28. (With
the American flying squadron, Hamp
ton Roads, March 28.) More than the
usunl enthusiasm was displayed today
by the ofllcers and men of that portion
of th'e American flying squadron al
ready assembled here when Commo
dore W. S. Schley took command.
There is always a perfunctory duty to
"lie done In such cases but the duty to
day -was performed with tin ill-concealed
"nthusiasm that bordered upon
a breach of discipline. Ofllcers smiled,
however, the newly detailed command
er could not in his pleasure at such a
greeting find fault and the men were
allowed to give full vent to their feel
ings. Th'e significance of the greeting
was In the general feeling that .the
first step towards the completion of
what will he the free lighting squad
ron had been taken, nnd the men ap
parently were gratled both with the
Etep and with the choice of command
ers, for Commodore Schley is known
as a conservative, yet a.bsoIutely fear
less and determined flsh'ter.
Commodore Schley left Washington
last night and arrived at Fort Monroe
early this morning. He was met by
an ensign nnd a boat crew of sailors,
who relieved him of his baggage and
received Information that he would go
aboard the Brooklyn, which he has
designated ns flagship.
At 9.S0 nfter breakfast at the Cham
berlln hotel, the commander of the
Brooklyn, with some petty offlcers,toolc
Commodore Schley aboard a launch
and "conveyed h'lm to the fleet which
lies near Newport News. The com
modore was in civilian dress, but was
saluted with the usual formalities as
ho passed up the Brooklyn's compan
ion w-ay 'to begin active service. He
was shown to the quarters which are
more elaborate than upon any other
war ship afloat, having been prepared
for exhibit when tho Brooklyn visited
England during the queen's jubilee.
Within a half hour after boarding the
ship. Commodore Schley, In full uni
form, was ready to take command and
the men of the fleet were drummed to
quarters Tilth tho yards manned, the
marines ,on decks and ofllcers and gun
ners .it post Commodore Schley
stopped to the bridge of the Brooklyn
and reading his commission aa com
mander, took commund of the squad
ron
ANTON SEIDL DEAD.
Now York, March 28. Anton Seidl, the
famous musical director, died tonight In
this city of poisoning, probably from eat
ing fish.
Cnlmnbln's Departure.
Philadelphia, March 23. Tho United
States cruised Columbia left League
Island navy yard for Hampton loads at
3.1b o'clock this afternoon. Her lcpar
ui e was barren of any ceremony, but tho
uharves at the navy yard were crowded
with citizens who cheered as she not un
der way. She steumed slowly down the
river and at nightfall reached deep water
point, near New Castle, Dal., where the
anchored for the night.
six Warn li r u Firebug.
Pottsvllle. Pa., March 28. William Rich,
ardson, Michael Darrah pnd Edward
Knowles, convicted last week of setting
flro to tho Eaglo Hosiery mill at Muhu.
noy City, were today each sentenced to
lx years' Imprisonment and Slug fino and
costs.
MARCH 29. 1898.
MR. MONEY'S OPINION.
Ilo Thinks Wnr ol Any Sort Is Hotter
I'hnn Uniting in I'l'iicc.
Washington, March 28. In tho sen
ate today Mr. Money, of Mississippi,
In hla speech on the Cuban question,
said ho was willing to go any extent
to feed the starving, clothe the naked
and relive the sick upon that unhappy
laland, but he was satisfied no definite
results could bo obtained by" the em
ployment of such means alone. Much
time had been wasted In efforts to
bring about peace through autonomy
and through diplomatic agencies. He
thought we should make decisive de
mands upon Spain for the cessation of
hostilities in Cuba, aa we stand respon
sible to history for our action now. If
such action should bring war let war
come. "Any sort of wnr is better,"
said he, "than a rotting peace."
It was not becoming in congress, ho
said, to await the slow process of di
plomacy. Ho had confidence In the
American congress. He did not desire
to offer facetious opposition to the ad
ministration's policy but for ono ho
would not abdicate his right to act for
himself and those whom he represent
ed. SPAIN'S HErOllT.
Is Emphntlc In Declaring Only One
Explosion, nud That Internal,
Destroyed the iUnlne.
Washington, March 28. A full syn
opsis of the report of the Spanish nav
al committee which investigated the
destruction of the battleship Maine is
here given by the Associated Press.
It Is taken from a copy of the original
report, which Is now on its way here
from Havana, the synopsis being cab
led in the meantime to be placed in
the hands of this government today.
The conclusions reached are decidedly
opposite to those of the court of In
quiry, submitted to congress today.
The synopsis is as follows:
Tho report contains declarations by
ocularx witnesses and experts. From
these statements Is clearly deduced
nnd proves the absence of all those
nttendant circumstances which are
Invariably present en the occasion of
explosion of a toipedo.
The evidence of witnesses compara
tively close to the Moilne at the mo
ment, Is to tho effect that only ono ex
plosion occurred; that no column of
water war thrown In the air, that no
sht-ck to tho side of tho nearest vessel
waa felt, nor on land was any vibra
tion noticed and that no dead fish were
found.
Tho evidence of Iho senior pilot ot
tho harbor states that there Is abund
ance of fish In the harbor and this Is
corroborated by other witnesses. Tho
assistant engineer of works states that
after explosions made during the ex
ecution of woiks In tho harbor ho
has always found dead llsh.
Tho divert wero unablo to examine
tho bottom of tho Maine which was
burled in tho mud but a careful.ex.
nmlnatlon of tho sides of tho vessel,
all tho rents' and breaks In which
point outward, shows without a doubt
that tho eiplcslon waa from the in
side. A minute examination of tho bottom
or the harbor arcund tho vessel shows
absolutely no sign of the action of
a torpedo, and the fiscal (Judge advo
cate) of the commission can find no
precedent for the explosion of tho
storage magazines of a. vessel by a
torpedo.
Tho report makes clear that owing
to the special nature of the proceed
ings followed and the absolute respect
shown for tho extra territorial status
of tho Malno, the committee has been
prevented from making such an exam
ination of the Inside of the vessel as
would determlno oven the hypothesis
the internal origin of tho accident.
This Is to be attributed to tho regret
table refusal to permit of the neces
sary co-operation of the Spanish com
mute, both with the commander and
crow of tho Maine and different offi
cials commissioned to investigato tho
causes of tho accident and later on
with those employed in salvage work.
Tho report finishes by stating that
an examination of the Inside nnd out
side of the Maine as soon as such may
be posslblo, also of the bottom whero
tho vqisel rests, will prove that, sup
posing tho remain (of the wreck) not
be totally or partially altered In the
process of extraction, tho explosion
was undoubtedly duo to somo interior
cause.
WOODFORD CONFERS WITH QIILLON.
Presents nn Extract from Report of
the Ainerlcnn Honrd aflnqiilrv.
Madrid. March 28. Midnight United
States Minister Woodford had an Im
portant conference tonight with Senor
Gullon, tho foreign minister, and com
municated to him an extract from the
report of the American board of in
quiry into the Maine disaster.
Tomorrow General Woodford will
confer with the premier, Senor Sagasta,
and Penors Qullon and Moret, tho for
eign and colonial ministers.
The latest election returns show that
192 Minlsterallsts, 46 Conservatives, 7
Romeristas, 15 Republicans and 3 Carl
Ista have been elected.
Advices from Havana show that four
Autonomists and two Conservatives
have been returned.
Col. (epero Arrives.
New York, March IS. On board tho
steamer Yucatan which arrived today
from Havana wero Colonel Joso L. Copero
and wlfo and four children. Colonel Ce
pero belong to tho Cuban army and Is the
bearer of Important dispatches to tho
Junta In this city. A prominent member
of tho Cuban Junta said tonight that Col
oncl Cepero will not bo received by tho
Junta If he calls. He said Cepero was
formerly In General Gomez's staff but he
accepted a bribe of t6,000 from the Span,
lards and surrendered. He subsequently
BBked Oomez to allow him again to en
ter tho Cuban army, but when told that
he could do so only as a private he again
surrendered to the Spaniards.
The Ilnrrtld's Nrnthrr Fori-cnst,
Now York, March 29,-ln the middle
states and New England, today, fall
colder, preceded by cloudiness In the east
ern districts with light and fresh south
erly to westerly winds shifting to north
westerly followed by clear and freezing
In tho Delawrre and Hudson vulleys and
In New England partly cloudy to fair
preceded by rain on tho eustern coast
with slight temperaturo changes and
fresh variable winds.
TESTIMONY IN
MAINE INQUIRY
Chain of Evidence That Clearly Establishes the
Facts Set Forth in the Official Report of the
Court of Inquiry in the Maine tragedy Testi
mony Given by the Officers of the Ill-Fated Ship
Shows That an Internal Explosion Could Not
Have Occurred.
Washington, March 2S. Tho Immense
mass of testimony taken by the Maine
court of inquiry was sent to the senate
today nnd with the president's mes
sage and finding of the court referred
to the committee on foreign relations.
The testimony was taken on eighteen
different days, the fourteenth dny.how
ever, being devoted to viewing the
wreck. Every witness who was known
to have any information that could
throw light upon the great disaster
waa called to give his testimony. The
Btory of the destruction of the vessel
is told not graphically but in a manner
which gives all tho obtainable facts.
No technical detnll is omitted. Every
movement and Incident connected with
the Maine from when she left Key
West until the day divers examined the
wreck slowly sinking in the mud of
Havana harbor Is given. It la a story
Intensely interesting to the American
people. Those who read could have
little doubt as to whether there was
an Internal or external explosion. Per
hapa the most significant testimony Is
that showing the bottom plates on the
port side of the Ill-fated Maine to be
bent inward nnd upward, a result that
could hardly have followed anything
save an explosion from the outside. A
mass of testimony la submitted show
ing the care exercised on board the ship
by Captain SIgsbee nnd his ofllcers and
the apparent impossibility of the acci
dent occurring by any Internal cause
such as the heating of tho bunkers,
spontaneous combustion, or from other
caues upon which so many theories
were based.
The testimony of Captain SIgsbee Is
of the greatest Importance and his is
of more general interest than that of
any man called before the board. With
great care and minuteness he gives an
account of the management of the ship,
how she wns handled, what was done
from day to day on board, how she
sailed Into Havana, her anchorage and
what he knew about It, and in fact
every point upon which the govern
ment nnd the country desires to be in
formed. Nothing In Captain SIgsbee's
testimony shows that the anchornge
was changed or that it was considered
dangerous by any one.
Second to the Importance of the tes
timony of Captain Sigsbee is that of
Ensign Powelson, who has charge of
the divers and knew from day to day
what these divers found. This officer
wns minutely informed as to the con
struction of the Maine and everything
about her. His testimony was to a
certain extent technical, bearing upon
the construction of the ship, her plates,
etc., but it was from these plates and
this technical knowledge that he was
able to declare that the explosion took
place from the outside.
The divers, Morgan, Olsen and Smith,
all contributed Important evidence.
They testified that the plates were bent
Inward on the bottom port side and
outward on, the starboard side.
STORY OF THE EXPLOSION.
The story of the explosion la told by
different witnesses and adds little to
what Captain SIgsbee and Commander
Walnwrlght related.
Nothing In the testimony fixes re
sponsibility, no conspiracy la apparent,
no knowledge of tho planting of a mine
I showri. Captain Sigsbee states that
a somewhat bitter feeling existed
against the American ship and Amer
icans generally, and a witness whosa
name Is suppressed, tells of overhear
ing a conversation among Spanish of
ficers and a citizen Indicating a fore
knowledge of the destruction of the
Maine, by blowing her up. An official
of the American consulate telta of In
formation received anonymously tend
ing to show that a conspiracy existed, i
Put nothing Is definitely stated which
fixes any responsibility upon Spain or
her subject.
Following are portions of the testi
mony taken during tho various ses
sions of the court:
Consul General Lee told of the of
ficial formalities preceding the Maine's
arrival. He notified the Havana of
ficials after which call he sent to the
state department at Washington the
following cipher meFsago:
"Authorities proferfl to think the
United States has ulterior purpose In
sending tho ship. Say It will obstruct
THE NEWS THIS UOllNING
Weather Indications Todayi '
ShiwerJ! Colder; Ncrthvseiterly Wndi.
1 Telegraph Message of President on
the Maine Tragedy.
Full Report of the Inquiry Hoard.
Evidence Defore the Inquiry Hoard
Tribune's- Popular Want Columns.
Neighboring County News.
The Markets.
i Telegraph Evidence Relore tho In
quiry Hoard (Cmcluded).
4 Editorial,
Comment of the Press.
!i Local Court Proceedings.
Grand Jury's Ueport.
fi Local Vicious Assault Upon Constu
b:o Mink.
J Local Fun nnd Businojr, at the Hour
of Control Meeting,
New Rules in Naturalization I'ourt.
5 Local West Ucranton und Suburban
') Lackawanna County News.
10 Telegraph-President McKlnley Coi,
slderlng a New Peace Plan for Cubti
Philadelphia Bribery Charges.
TWO CENTS.
autonomy and produce excitement and
most probably a demonstration. Ask
that it not be done until they can get
Instructions from Madrid. Say that If
for friendly purposes, as claimed, de
lay is unimportant."
It was too late, however, tho Malno
had already sailed. She arrived next
day, and Leo reported her arrival to
the state department.
Captain SIgsbee told of the arrival of
the ship In Havana harbor Jan. 24. He
took on an official pilot. Ho could not
state whether the Maine was placed In
the usual berth for men of war, but
said that he had heard remarks since
tho explosion, using Captain Stevens
temporarily, in command of the ward
line steamer City of Washington, ns
authority for tho statement, that he
had never known in all his experience,
which covers visits to Havana for five
or-six years, a man of war to be an
chored at that bouy; that he had rare
ly known merchnnt vessels to be an
chored there, and that It was the least
used bouy in the harbor.
The position of tho other ships close
by was pointed out by Captain Sigs
bee. As to the regulations regarding
Inflammable materials and paints and
the taking of the temperature of the
magazines, everything had been com
plied with. He had no recollection of
any work going on In the magazine or
shell rooms on the day of the explo
sion. RELATIONS WITH SPAIN.
Speaking generally of his relations
with the Spanish authorities, Captain
SIgsbee stated that with the officials
they were outwardly cordial. He told
of the complaint made to the navy de
partment by tho autonomist leaders
that he had failed to visit them. This
he subsequently did and was pleasantly
received.
When asked whether there waa any
demonstration of animosity by people
afloat, Cpptaln SIgsbee said that there
never was on shore, as he was In
formed, but there was afloat. He then
related that on the flrst Sunday nfter
the Maine's arrival a ferry boat crowd
ed densely with people, civil and mili
tary, returning from a bull fight in
Regla, passed the Maine and about
forty aboard Indulged in yells, whistles
and cat-calls.
During tho stay in Havana Captain
SIgsbee took moro than ordinary pre
cautions for the protection of the Maine
by placing sentries on the forecastle
and poop, quartermaster and slgnnl
boys on the bridge and on the poop.
A corporal of the guard was especially
Instructed to look out for the port
gangway and tho officer of the deck
and quartermaster wero especially In
structed to look out for the starboard
gangway; a quarter watch was kept
on deck all night; sentries' cnrtrldgo
boxes were filled, their arms kept
loaded, and a number of rounds ot
rapid-fire ammunition kept In the pilot
house. He said he had given orders to
the master at arms nnd tho orderly
sergeant to keep a careful eye on
everybody that came on board and to
carefully observe any packages that
might be held on the supposition that
dynamite or other high explosives
might be employed and utterwards to
inspect the route these people had
taken and never to lose sight of tho
importance of the order. There wero
only two visits of Spanish military offi
cers. Once a party of five or six Span
ish ofllcers came on board, but accord
ing to the captain they were con
strained nnd not desirous of accepting
much courtesy.
Referring to tho electric plant of tho.
Maine, Captain SIgsbee said there wa3
no serious grounding or sudden flash
ing up of the llghta before the ex
plosion, uut a sudden nnd a total
eclipse.
EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSION.
By the time Captain SIgsbee reached
the quarter deck It was his Impressdon
that an overwhelming explosion had
occurred. When he enmo from tho
cabin he was practically blinded for a
few seconds. His only thought was for
the vessel nnd he took no note of tho
phenomena of tho explosion. Tho
centre of the explosion was beneath
and a little forwaul of tho conning
tower on tho port side. In the region
of the center or nxls of tho explosion
wns tho six-Inch reserve magazine
which contained very llttlo powder,
about 300 pounds. According to Cap
tain SIgsbee It would be difficult to con
ceive tho explosion involved the ten
Inch magazine because of the location
of the explosion and that no reports
show that nny ten-inch shells wero
hurled Into the air because of the ex
plosion. The captain then went Into
details as to the location of the small
arms and ammunition.
Various Spanish officials came on
board nnd expressed sympathy nnd
sorrow for the accident. Representa
Mvcs of General Blanco and of tho ad
miral of the stntlon were among them,
He said that tho Spanish authori
ties were' very much averse to nn In
vestigation, except officially, on tho
rrounds, as stated by tho-Spanish ad
nlral, that the honor of Spain was In
olved, so h'o forebodo to examine tho
ubmarlne portion of the wreck for tho
ause of the explosion until the day tho
ourt convened. He paid a, tribute to
he crow and said that a quieter, bet
er matured lot of men ho had nevor
'mown on board any vessel In Which
lie had served. He had no fault to find
.Continued ou l'uuo 3.J,
.
-7 y jSly' "! 4yr'gS! -