The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-03-22
SPAIN WILL NOT
BRING ON WAR
Her Inquiry Has Gone to Pieces on
the Accident Theory.
SHE WILL TRY TO ARBITRATE
Aad AsanMhils Hopes to Settle the HsbeI-
lioa With Conner and Other Leaders
90 NeN Basis.

New York. March 2L-A dispatch 70 the
Tribune from Havana says:
The Spanish inquiry into the Maine dis
aster has gone 10 pieces In seeking 20 es-
tabllsh the accident theory. This admis-
sion Is privately made in government cir
cles. The nature OF tine boards report
will not be changed. The explosion will
be charged 10 unknown causes. but the
Spanish finding will be with a view Of
making a case to be passed on by a third
party The work Of their divers has not
been thorough. Apparently they have
found so little evidence on which theory
OF international explosion can be based
that the Spanish court Is not willing 70
stand unequiyocally on the theory Of ac-
cident which 1t set out TO maintain. The
facts have been known for three or four
days.
This may account for the statements
from Madrid that the Maine incident will
not be a cause Of war between the two
countries and also hints at arbitrating
the dispute on the question OF fact. This
talk is semi-oficlaL The Spanish author
ize the improbabllity Of successfully con-
troyerting the case which will be pre-
sented when the report OF Captain samp-
son and his associates on the American
board Of inquiry is published. They have
had an inkling that the evidence on which
the external explosion due TO foul play
will be charged is meant TO satisfy, not
simply the American people. but the judg-
ment Of experts throughout the world.
How strongly this conclusion Of the Amer
lcan board is fortified will soon be known.
The cue received from Madrid Is 10 have
counter case ready so a suspension Of
the worlds judgment can be asked until
diplomacy can arrange a satisfactory set
tlement The evident hope Of Blaneo's
botIuulthl ID u htNP ttiN .h'AaiN ii'-'NNNN
entirely distinct from other Cuban ques-
tlons. Notwithstanding this lack Of con-
fdence in their own theory Of accident 1t
cannot be learned mat the authorities are
doing anything 10 uncover the conspira-
tors who are responsible for the blowing
up OF the Maine. More Importance is
given to the final effort of the radical au-
Economists TO negotiate with Gomez and
other insurgent leaders on new basis
than its certain outcome warrants.
The chief interest is in knowing that
the negotiations are in fact Blanco's and
that If they are entertained in any form
they will be clothed with a full official
character. 4 few officials profess conh-
dence that Gomez and the other insurg-
ents will at least permit the propositions
to be made and will then create their own
terms under which Spaln's flag may re-
main. No ground whatever exists for
an indication of his answer, The insurg-
ents will treat with Blanco's representa-
tive only on basis OF independence. With
that understanding they will agree to an
armistice while the good offices of the
United States are employed in arranging
an indemnity and other details under
which Spain might be willing to withdraw
her troops and abandon the island. The
government cropping in a circle IS the
phrase applied to the final effort to make
terms with the insurgents. Probably the
best thing for all parties is to have the
failure of the attempted negotiations with
Gomez made known promptly and em-
phatically. Ii there were faint prospects
of success this could only come through
double dealing.
The fifteen propositions of Giberga and
Gown are still the basis of all offers made
to the insurgents, Among those is lh>
cluded the disarming of the volunteers.
This organization holds the written as
surance of General Parade, authorized by
Captain General Blanco, that no such idea
will be entertained. The Sagasta minis
try in Madrid indorsed the statement
They could not be disarmed without rev.
olution. Nevertheless. the insurgents
have been asked to accept a scheme Of
enlarged autonomy Of which the disarm-
ament of the volunteers is part of the
programme. They will not be fooled nor
will the volunteers be fooled. The de-
ception was meant to be practiced on the
United States in seeking to make it
party to the negotiations and In part re-
sponsible for their failure. That was the
policy of the palace in Havana, 1t would
hardly have been adopted here had 1t not
been acceptable in Madrid. The autonom-
list cabinet, or a part of it, win not be
left entirely alone to serve as scapegoats'
A few officers of high rank who are de-
voted to the monarchy sympathize with
General salano in inviting Gomez to take
part in this new Cuban government that
was to be formed The majority of army
officers, however, would revolt against
Continued on third page.)