New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-17
coNGREssMEN GREATLY sHOCKED..
GENERAL BELIEF HOWEVER THAT 40
ACTION BY THE LAWMAKING BODY
IS CALLED FOR

ACTION BY THE LAWMAKING BODY
IS CALLED FOR.
Washington. Feb. 1G-The news Of the dis
sster created profound impression at the
Capitol Senators and members of the House
as a rule expressed the opinion for publication
that the catastrophe was the result of acct
dent and not Of design. but there was some
opinion generally expressed under the breath
with the admontion not 70 publish. 70 tho effect
that the affair looked very mysterious and
doubtful AS a rule. Senator'S expressed the
opinion that the Department would and should
make thorough Investigation, and added that
for the present it would he unnecessary for Con-
gress to take the matter up.
Senator Hale. chairman OF the Committee on
Naval Affairs. and a member OF the Committee
on Appropriations. said that be had just come
from an interview with the Secretary OF the
Navy and that he felt confident that the Navy
Department would institute a thorough investi-
CATION into the disaster There is no occa-
sion" said the Senator. FOR Congress 70 take
the matter up Surely something should be left
10 the Department. and this is one % the things
which in my opinion. should be- so left II Is
Of course. impossible. from the information re-
colved. 10 say how the accident occurred. but
| feel confident that the facts. when developed,
Will show that It was an accident The
Maine was Of course prepared for action In
case action should be necessary. and had there
fore many vulnerable points exposed A battle
ship is little less than volcano under the most
favorable circumstances and when legslatng
for the increase in the Navy l always feel that
a war vessel may prove TO be almost as danger
GUS 70 those on board as to those whom IL might
engage in hostile conflict. For this reason l am
prove a genuine sensation in naval circles aside
from any political aspect OF IT,
NO FRIEND OF SPAIN GUILTY.
The Senator expressed the opinion that Con
cress would take steps TO prevent the decrease
OF the Navy. but did not undertake 10 say that
there would be- immediate efforts 20 replace the
Maine He said that whatever could have caused
the catastrophe he was sure that no friend Of
Spain could have been guilty Of such conduct
for the reason that if there had been no higher
motive the act would have been very foolish
and foolhardy one lie said the Maine had cost.
according TO his recollection, between E5FJ1VOo
and 100000
senator Fairbanks-The reports are so
ruAaere that il rs impossible % determine the
cause % the explosion or locate the response
bnity If any one is at fault. 4 thorough in-
yeetigatiOn doubtless viii be instituted hy the
proper authorities. II is most porahIe accl-
dent and one which VIII awaken the most gen
oral s,-r,pofhy
" - ., .,,,,,-
NEED OF CAREFUL lNN 70 ll'fl4'N'
Senator Warren ~ Wyoniug-f II should
49,. -, Ia, ,,,.,,t,,,, ., A.,
develop '""' '"' SPANS" '"' "'' '''''7 Va
with the occurrence both the United states
Navy and Army ought TO be summoned to take
the matter UP D" '"'"'s, u '' S"o".' prove ~
'e an "'c'Ne"'' ~ 9"'".' ' ,''' ''' ''''
s"''N, '' 80 80 "'7" '' "' '
W uI,uN,.s ~ " ~ nos "ii',ri'',
anv move cannot 10 10 a stream nr down a
stream or out 10 sea without grounding. or haV-
ing some other accident hefau them hope
therefore. that no time will Doe lost in determn-
ing the cause and placing the responsibility for
the occurrence, whether due 90 the ndud of