Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-17

~ W Hdtiofl, was tTSacneTOuSly QeStTOyeu
by the agents or through the connivance
of Spain. war will be inevitable. Should
it be shown that the catastrophe was due
to the negligence or careessness of the
Spanish port officials the result will prob
ably be the game The fact that the vessel
was placed in jeopardy by the action of the
Spanish authorities and not properly pro-
tected would make a resort to arms almost
unavoidable in the present temper of the
two peoples.
Although the consensus of unofficial ad-
vices is strongly to the effect that the ex-
plosion was due to an external agency,
either submerged mine or floating tor
pedo. 1t is not impossible that the report
of the naval court may not be conclusive
on that point and may be of such a char
acter as to require a further suspension of
judgment.
While it is true that the accident theory
has been practically abandoned, there is
no absolute certainty that the court has
adduced testimony that will establish be-
yond a peradventure of a doubt the exact
cause of the explosion.
Possibly Not :, Cause for War.
Admitting that it was of external origin,
it is conceivable that the Spanish authori
ties took no part and had knowledge
of the transaction. It may have been the
independent act of individuals, cranks or
villains. Although this might not absolve
the Spanish government from liability for
the damages sustained in it's jurisdiction. 1t
might reasonably cause the United States
to hesitate in making it the basis of war.
Notwithstanding all that has been pub
lished in the newspapers TO show that the
ship was wrecked by an external eEDlo-
sion, there are not . few officials inciud-
ing several naval officers, who are inclined
to the belief that the naval court will re-
port that it has been unable to determine
the exact cause Of the explosion If this
should turn out to be the case it is evident
that the anxiously awaited report will not
in itself settle the vexed question at issue
between the two countries
Proposed Congressional Inquiry.
In that event the Senate committee will
probably undertake to clear up all points
in dispute, and the matter will undoubtedly
lead TO diplomatic negotiations, both of
which courses will consume time and serve
TO postpone indefinitely the final settle
ment OF the question without justifying
either party in beginning hostlities.
The recent proceedings of the court have
been somewhat mystifying, except in so
far as they show that the court is rapidly
nearing the end of its Investigations So
far as known, nothing has been received
here from the members of the court to
show whether they intend to return to Ha-
vana or not. AT any rate, the impression
prevails at the Navy Department that the
court has practically concluded the ex-
animation of witnesses and is now engaged
IN the preparation of its report.
DIPLOMATS at the State Department.
Assistant Secretary Day was very busy
this morning. 1t was diplomatic day and
in addition to his foreign callers there were
number of senators and representatives
waiting for some time in order TO get ac-
cess TO the assistant secretary. Vice Presi-
dent Hobart was also a prominent caller
but he did not remain longer than ten min
utes. He was Immediately preceded by
Senator Davis, chairman of the committee
on foreign relations, who was closetel with
the assistant secretary for fully half on
hcur. The diplomatic callers included .Senor
cana, the Chilean minister and NJ. Cam
lon, the French ambassador, and Mr.
HeEgeimui.er, the Austrian minister Be
cause Chile has been mentioned as thu
possible salesman of warship to the
United States, the assumption was drawn
that the minister had called on that busi-
for his departure Tor his new post in Lon
don, and has informed the department that
he will sail from New York on the 2ad in
Austrian minister's call had 10 reference
to the presentations to the Sta:e Depart
ment in behalf of the Spanish side of the
present issue. In explanation of his call.
1t was suggested that he has not missed a
diplomatic reception day in many weeks.
and is engrossed in reciprocity Negotiations
Proposed Increase of the Army,
The largest measure of preparation yet
made by the War Department to meet the
contingencies of the future probably has
Just been completed. 1t is the preparation
of bill providing, among other sections,
for the placing of the army on a war foot
ing for the full strength of 10000 men.
The bill has been carefully gone over by the
War Department and will be introduced in
the House by Representative Hull chair
man of the House committee on military
affairs, who, 1t is expected will urge it
vigorously, inasmuch as 1t Is an admins
tration measure. The basis of the bill will
be the well-known three-bat ttalion organ
ization. That is the ideal peace status of
the army, but provision is made for the
exercise by the President of full power to
increase each one of the existing COM
panies from 75 men-the present strength
to 210 men.
The War Department is not in the mar
ket as purchaser of heavy ordnance. 1t
has now more than 100 splendid breech-
loading rifles and mortars lying on skids
in the vicinity of the points selected for
Notifications on the coast for which there
are no suitable mounts, and as it is
scarcely possible to purchase this char
acter, of ordnance with mounts complete
it will not be desirable to have to resort
to that means of increasing the fortifica-
TORS. This decision. however, has not pre-
vented the department from buying all the
rapid fire guns obtainable at reasonable
rates, and day before yesterday thirty such
veal pons were bought and will soon be on
their way to New York from the Wicker
works in England.
Discussing Naval Personnel Bill.
Secretary Long had busy forenoon at
the Navy Department. Among his callers
were Representatives Meyer and Bacon Of