New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-14
THE MAINE INQUIRY.
CONTINUING PROOF OF AN EXPLOSION
FROM WITHOUT.
THE TWO PHASES OF THE CUBAN QUESTION
CLAIMS OF SUCCESSES FOR SPANISH ARMS
ONLY CALI. ATTENTION TO THEIR
Z
UTTER FAILURE.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

my TELEGRAPH THE TRBUSEl
Havana, March 12 via Key West. March 10
Tho two distinct phases Of the Cuban question
are now before the American people one IS
whether the Maine inquiry shall become dipo-
matte incident between the two Governments.
subject to the usual course when an interna-
tiona! dispute arises over facts The other
phase Is the military and political condition OF
the island with reference TO intervention
Captain Sampson and his associates by pro-
longing the investigation for weeks might find
much further cumulative evidence OF an ex-
ternal explosion. The comparatively narrow
space in which the divers now working con-
tinues to furnish proofs Of an explosion from
without. but this leading fact was established
TWO weeks ago. The clearing away of the debris
has added little to the knowledge first obtained.
The belief that the Maine was blown up by
torpedo is held by experts who have watched
the progress OF the inquiry. This brings the
Naval Court 10 the most difficult part OF iis
task Under Admiral Scard's instructions. the
Board is to report what persons not connected
with the Navy are responsible for the loss o:
the Maine With what is conclusive evidence
10 the minds OF the members that the loss was
due to foul play. they are still without con-
elusive proof OF the identity OF the consprators.
That the explosion was not the work Of single
fanatic Is pretty well established Beyond this
the Board may not be able 20 go. because the
cooperation OF the Spanish Government cannot
be had long Spain holds to the theory OF
accident.
THE SPANISH VIEW OF THE EXPLOSION.
Since Captain Peral the president OF the Span
ish Board, gave out his interview, that is ac-
cepted the Spanish official view. No help can
be expected from the authorities in discovering
,,o ,-If lie that cla i,oIp hat
there could have been no conspiracy because
the Maine expl Js.on was due 10 mysterious
accident.
An analysis OF Captain Perars theory need
not he given here. IT Is enough that II his
scheme Of raising the hull by means Of the float
ing dock We're feasible months would pass be-
fore a final report could be made. The mud at
the bottom has not prevented the American
divers from making examination Of portions
Of the wreck which the Board thought necessary.
The perfunctory Ia bors Of the Spanish divers
have not prevented them from finding unex-
ploded ammunition in parts of the ship where
an internal explosion could hardly have left 1t
intact. They have also discovered that the tu-
ret blown from port TO starboard, along with
other incidental evidences Of external expo-
sion. Nevertheless. admission OF the posi-
bility OF foul play Will come from the Spanish
Board The matter presented s that
the American Court. while probably not feeling
justified in indicating suspicion as TO the parties
10 the conspiracy has sifted the evidence
which its members are ready submit to the
world in support Of the claim that the iine
was destroyed by foul play. When that evidence
shall be made public can be judged better in
Washington than In Havana.
MORETS CLAIds WITHOUT FOUNDATION.
General Blauco's Autonomist Government 50
far as an Autonomist Government exists. Is
rejecting the instructions from Madrid in
couragng resistance TO American intervention
the grounds laid down in the Presidents
Message. An abstract OF Minister Moret's
speech is published here. and one and all classes
are exhorted to unite. No result follows be-
cause while Spain might be deceived by ti.e
Colonial Minister'S pretensons the people in
Cuba cannot he mislaad Tn, claim that the
Spanish arms making progress only draws
attention to the failure Of the military opera
tions and to the knowledge that in what little
fighting now goes on the insurgents gener-
ally successful. Senator Proctor carried back
clear ideas regarding the military cam
paign They may he useful to the Admlnistra-
tion and to his colleagues in the Senate
Two months ago the decision Of the COnserva-
tive party 10 take part in the elections might
have had influence. Now It is of little conse-
quence because while at that time the pos
pect existed that Autonomy might last till after
the election Of a Cuban Congress its possibility
no longer exists The Government proposition
was that It should have two-thirds OF the Con-
gress and the Conservatives one-third. Not
withstandng the action Of their Central Com
mittee the mass of the Conservatives, or Intran-
sgentes. bitterly resent the scheme. and exhort
one another to refuse all participation in the
- lpnp Amt ic
pudiated They derounce Apeztegui and his
followers as traitors to the Spanish Government.
The Intransigente newspapers complain Of the
press censorship, and ask General Blanco TO
modify IT so that the question supposed TO be
issue in the election, may be freely discussed.
They will not be gratined.
The Autonomist Cabinet with It's internal dis
sensons has sunk completely out Of sight
POLITICAL AND MILITARY PARALYSIS.
The political and military condition OF Span
ish sovereignty in Cuba to-day is described in
single word. II Is n condition Of paralysis, and
the United states is feeding the starving inhab-
itants. knowledge OF the desperate situation
apparently is nervng the official classes TO ex-
cite feeling against the United States as a means
Of covering up their international weakness
The presence Of Spanish warships this
purpose. The ball at the Spanish Casino in
honor Of the officers Of the O1uendo and the
Vizcaya gives an opportunity for exhibition
Of loyalty fully as intense as that shown by the
populhce when the ships arrived.
The press censorship does not interfere with
the Weylorite and other papers exhortnG Span
iards to le on their guard against the Ameri-
cans and TO forestall the blow which they say
the United States intends 10 strike in the Phil
ippnes This sentiment spreads while the usual
courtesies are exchanged between the command
er Of the Montgomery and the Spanish COM
nenders These courtesies do not prevent un-
,si,al nrecautinns by the Spanish en-Of-war in