The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-22
RUMOR DENIED.



which the United States will make upon
the Madrid government. But any man who
pauses for moment to think will see that
there are various degrees of the RESPONSE
bility resting upon Spain, according to the
circumstances 1t is incredible that the de-
struction of the Maine was ordered by
Spanish authority, by officials ordered 10
represent the government. But If this
should turn out to be the case there could
be but one punishment to mt the crime.
Spain would become an outlaw among ma
tons. The United States would no more
have diplomatic intercourse with her than
with a pirate. War would be Instantly de-
clared and if the United States were
mighty enough to do it-and she is-Spain
would be destroyed as a nation. But this
contingency is fortunately so remote SO far
beyond reason and belief, that it needs no
serious consideration.
Spain is still responsible If the Maine was
blown up by a fanatic or by conspiracy of
criminals. Should this be demonstrated the
course of the United States is clear. A de-
mand would be made upon Spain for the
punishment with death of every guilty
wretch who could be caught; Spain would
have to pay for the Maine at her full value;
she would be required to pay punitive dam
ages; she would have to pay indemnity to
the families of the victims, and smart sums
at that, and Spain would be requested to
itpologize and disclaim. No self-respecting
lion would refuse such reparation, and
no one has a right to assume that Spain
would refuse If she did, war would quickly
follow Nor would 1T be prudent for Spain
to haggle or shuttle or seek to evade. ANY
civilized nation would meet emergency
of this character promptly, fully and sat
isfactorily.
that the Maine was destroyed by accidental
contact of torpedo or mine planted by her
in the harbor of Havana without the aid
of malice or criminal intent of any sort
Her responsibility in this case would be
fully as great as if the crime OF one or her
subjects has led to the disaster, but is not
to be so sharply dealt with. If malice
wholly disappears from the case then the
disaster becomes a most deplorabe incl
dent for which Spain is responsible In q
property sense and for which she must
make adequate reparation, not only to the
government but to the families of the VIC
tins. The United, States has itself recog55
nized its responsibility for disaster caused
by the negligence of its agents in case
not wholly unlike this one Years ago one
of our ships attached to. the Aslatic statlon
engaged in target practice on an unlnhaD-
tied island of Japan. An unexploded shell
was left on the beach, and later some
Japanese fooled with the cartridge. 1t eX-
ploded and killed a number of men. The
United States recognized responsibility Tor
their death and Unidentified the families OF
the victims.
The foregoing statements are personal
views of officials of the administration as
to the course to be pursued by the United
States in the various contingencies men
toned Whatever the verdict of the court
of inquiry no one need fear that the honor
and the interests of the United States will
suffer. The administration is fully alive TO
the requirements of the situation. 1t is
only awaiting the finding of the court.
There is nothing whatever TO get eXcited
about. There is no occasion for talking of
war or for trying to work the people into
an unreaSonng passion. The honor and dig
nifty of the United States are not TO be pre-
served by acting like savages. rushing out
in war paint because a suspicion of fou.
play is in the minds of part of the people.
The best and ablest men in Washington
praise the stand taken by the President,
and they applaud the sensible, genuinely
patriotic press of the country which avoids
sensationalism, cheap appeals TO passion,
and distortion of the facts. These same men
Cabinet ministers, senators and repre-
the fact that after the Maine disaster has
been satisfactorily disposed of, as if doubt
less will be. the great question still re-
naming is the future of Cuba. That is q
question of humanity, commerce and civ
ilization worthy the best efforts of ma
ton for It's solution, with peace if pos
sible with force III necessary. ON that ques-
ton the United States proposes to be heard.