The San Francisco call., 1898-03-15
EXCITEMENT
 IN WASHINGTON How the News of the Maine Disaster Was Re-
 ceiVed.
George A. Knight Describes the Scenes at the National
 Capital

George A. Knight, who has just re- turned from Washington, D. C.. where he was when the battleship Maine was blown up in the harbor of Havana. in,teIl- ing of how the news was received in the National Capital says: 1T was In Wash lngton when the news of the terrible dis asterreached this country I was stopping at Wlllard's Hotel, on Pennsylvania ave- nue, the headquarters of many of the most prominent members of Congress. When l came down the morning after the disaster the first intimation that had of It was when newsboy ran into the lobby of the hotel crying, Maine blown upr
 What, l said, the whole State? No. the battleship.' I bought a paper and read the account of the calamity Soon the lobby was filled with eager and excit- eu men, all or whom were reading or dis cuss1ng the disaster and the probable eff feet it would have upon this country's re- latlons with Spain. There was quite a rip- pie Of excitement throughout the city that day.
 The State, War and Navy departments it WeIe r5oi Ill @ nlgn tension of excitement, but iI was among the populace proper that lne Ieeung ran most high. They were as Lnucn stlrred up over the disaster as the people are here.
 Long before noon. the horr If tba as- sem seLdipllng or Congress, Pennsylvania ave- nue was lined with people on their way to diti, ane Capltol in anticipation of some ex- citing scenes upon the floors of the House and Senate. The public galleries were crowded to their utmost capacity. as were those reserved for the diplomatic corps IS II, was oay unique in the history of w washington and one not soon to be for gotten. V Aoi :. Old residents of the city declared that it was second in excitement only to the Union army at the first battIe of Ruff M Mrlun was received. All sorts and kinds of Tumors and counter rumors were afioat. ,,ro,, ne ulSaster as was the sole topic. It was M upon every tongue, nothing else was dis cussed and the war sentiment was the seneral 1el feeling of every one.
 ms Tact can be more fully illustrated when when say that In Congress all partisan Snlp seemed to be entirely obiiterated me importance of the news may be real ized py any one familiar with the work nn ines e or |. congress, where everything is run L oLi party lines, and where the affairs of 5a9 siig greatest moment are subjected to the oe..ays and bickerings of party leaders.
 NeEer mas there been such sponta- aS lnere was in the action that they took III regard to the appointment of a com in1SsiSn anS Sn or investigation. Both the House ana senate acted as a unit None of the paryt leaders attempted to make capital out or the occasion. There was perfect st! IiatIhony Tn the action of the Democrats With the Republicans
 The temper of the people was host SnoWn SI11 by the action of the galleries. w neneVer Warlike sentiment was ex- to the echo''
 MT Knight, when asked if he thought tnere te would be war, replied; No, judging rom what could learn. in the East I am lnclineo to think that the incident will be settled by Spain paying the indemnity ..hhSat .hat VIII undoubtedly be demanded by thls country. The result, however wifi mean the final adjustment of the Cuban question, and I have no doubt but that if VIII lead to the speedy freeing of Cuba from the Spanish rule.'