Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-28
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IS UNDERGOING
A CHANGE.
M'KINLEY POLICY IN FAVOR.
PROSPECT OF CONFLICT BECOMING
MORE REMOTE.
If the Maine Was Blown Up by n Fa-
matte. as seems Probable. nm In
demnity Will BE Demanded
and Will Probably
He Paid.

Washington. Feb. 27.-tspecial) Sentimen,
| regarding the Maine disaster is much be-
| calmed to-day in Washington. The chances
| of war are regarded as more remote than
| at any previous time since the tragedy.
| Opinion is gradually but overwhelmingly
| turning in support of the attitude of the
| administration. That not single promi-
| rent man in either party any longer holds
| to the theory that the ship was blown up
with the knowledge OF the Spanish author
tiles. the statement of the Spanish charge
| d'affaires contradicting the reports that
| Havana harbor was planted with subma-
rine mines. and the corroborative state
! ments of American naval experts, have
contributed largely to tranquillZe the war
spirit. Still, the impression largely prevails
that the vessel was destroyed from the
outside, although certain well informed cir
cles hold with equal tenacity to the acci-
dent theory.
The policy of the administration in case
the disaster is found due to design by a
Spanish fanatic, will be to demand an in
demnity, which it is thought Spain will
obligate herself to pay without much hag-
Cling, and thus the matter will be disposed
of forever. This is only forecast of Off
cial action, as outlined by the president
and secretary of state. Unforeseen acci-
dents may suddenly change this programme
and make a different policy necessary. So
far as anyone here is able to foresee at
this writing, the chances for war are rap
idly waning, while the best sentiment here
praises the administration for its GOODNESS
and courageous stand thus far, in the face
of profound excitement and popular clamor.
The usual Sunday quiet was not broken
to-day by any important development in
connection with the Maine disaster. Cap
tain Crowninshield. chief Of the navigation
bureau, came to his Office in the navy de-
partment to open the department mail and
and few unimportant kilograms. A dis
patch from Havana confirmed the press
reports that the court of inquiry left there
on the Mangrove for Key West. Tho
state department received nothing from
Consul General Lee during the day and
the only dispatch of consequence reaching
that department was from Minister Rock
hill, at Athens. briefly stating that an
attempt had been made on the life OF
King George. but without serious results.
Five shots were fired by the would-be as
sassins, none of them taking effect.
Up to s o'clock the dispatches of the
navy department were taken to the Off
cials of the department and were not re-
garded as of sufficient consequence TO send
to the secretary.
Mr.. Long said the court of inquiry would
now proceed with its work at Key West,
examining the witnesses there, in accord
ance with its original plans. No definite
information had been received as to how
much time would be taken with the in
quiry there, or what the next step would
be. Mr. Long stated that the department
was to-day in possession of no more infor-
nation on the cause of the disaster than
it was Immediately after the occurrence,
and that no evidence had been received up
to the present time showing that the dis
aster was caused by design. During the
afternoon the secretary received a call
from Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, who
assured him that an examination Of the
map said to show mines in Havana har-
bor disclosed that no such mines were on
the map.
At the suggestion of Secretary Long, AS
sistant Secretary Roosevelt, of the navy
department. gave out the following state
ment in regard to the published map with
the mines in Havana harbor purportinS to
be marked on it:
LAS soon as the map was brought to my
attention. sent to Mr.. John Russell Young.
of the congressional library, and got the
original. 1t is simply one of the innumer-
able maps of Havana harbor. There is not
the slightest sign of a mine marked any,
where on it. AS a matter of fact, 1 am in
formed that this map is one which has
been used in giving lectures at the Column
bian university
In answer to the question as to what
was the meaning of the movements of guns
and munitions, Mr.. Roosevelt said: 1T
merely serves to show that the department
does not believe that there will be any
trouble, but neither does it intend to be
trouble"
Senior DuBosc. the Spanish charge daft
flares, to-day received cablegram from
the minister of state at Madrid, saying
that - new minister to the United
States. Eenor Polo Barnabe. will sail to-
morrow from Gibraltar. This will bring
him to Washington in about ten days. At
Gibraltar. he will take one of the German
line Of transatlantic steamers touching at
that point. The credentials of the new
minister will be presented soon after his
arrival. and it is expected that his first at
tention will he given TO the commercial
treaty between the United States and
Spain with particular reference to Cuba.
His service as chief of the commercial
bureau of the foreign office has given him
charge of the details leading up to the
negotiations of this treaty and he will
come sharing the earnest desire of the
Sagasta administration 10 put through this
matter with the least delay possible. Min
lister Woodford has been carrying on the
negotiations with the authorities at Mad
rid. and they are well along toward COM
pletion.
Beyond the foregoing dispatches, Senior
DuBosc received no news to-day from
Havana or Madrid. He expressed salts
faction at the more conservative tone OF
public sentiment within the last few days.
Press reports from Madrid stated that
the authorities were jubilant over the re-
cept of important favorable information
from Havana. Mr.. DuBosc could shed no
light on the nature of this Information.
In other quarters. however. the impress
sion prevailed that this information did
not refer to the Maine inquiry. but con-
cerned the general conduct of the insur-
rection in Cuba. There have been strong
indications of late that the autonom!st
cabinet under the leadership of Gown,
who is the recognized force of that body.
would endeavor to make terms with the
separatist wing and. in turn. secure the
cooperation of the insurgents in a move
ment to conclude the war. How far this
1t has been expected that Gown would sue
ceed in effecting reconciliation. There
has been added reason for this relief within
the last few days. owing to the fierce at
tacks made on Gown by some of the ir-
reconcilibie elements.
He repealed these and repudiated an al
legged letter in which he was reported to
have attacked Premier Sagasta.
NO EXCITEMENT IN HAVANA