The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-03-01

The country has been startled
by the news that the American
warship Maine, while lying in
the harbor of Havana, was blown
up and pretty nearly, if not
wholly, destroyed. 1t being
early in the night, most of the
officers were on shore, and the
men, all but the regular watch
on guard, had retired to rest.
| The Maine was q magnificent
boat, built in 1890, at a cost of
50, 588, 900. She was in COM
mand of Capt. Sigsbee, one of
the most accomplished officers
in the American Navy. From
the reports of the disaster there
does not appear to have been any
neglect or absence of precaution
against accident to account for
this extraordinary occurrence.
1t appears, on the contrary, that
black treachery of some sort
caused the explosion; in other
words, that the vessel was de-
liberately blown up. This fact
being established, the question
will present itself to every en-
lghtened nation. BY whom and
for what reason was this terrible
Grim perpetrated The ship
was lying in the harbor of a
supposed friendly nation, ex-
pecting no trouble, suspecting
enemy, and yet she was blown
pretty nearly to atoms, together
with over two hundred Ameri-
can citizens and sailors. Truly
the matter demands the sternest
and most thorough investigation.
Ii Spain is guilty of this great
crime she must be held to q ter
rible accountability. We do not
believe that her government had
anything to do with the business;
but Spain is responsible for her
citizens. She must be able and
willing to indemnify the United
States for the destruction of the
ship; but no pecuniary indemnity
can compensate the lives of over
two hundred American citizens.
The only issue must be war.
From the accounts so far re-
ceived, the explosion cannot pos
sibly be attributed accident.
Who then are the criminals :? |
BY whom were they instigated !?
We're they Cubans or Spaniards?
1t is true that the policy of the
United States government in
this Cuban war has been Snuff
ing and weak; so much so indeed
as to excite the contempt of the
world. But the American gov
eminent has in many respects
displayed friendly spirit toward
the Spanish government; and if |
this explosion was the work of
the Spaniards, it constitutes one
OF the monumental crimes of
nations, and that nation must be
held to the sternest retribution.
We are no bowler for war with
Spain. Such a conflict is not to
be contemplated without horror.
Spain is by no means a first-class
nation. But he is an ignoramus
who does not know that her
people are brave and warlike
race, who can and will put up a
big fight against any odds. We
must not lose sight either of the
fact that Spain has formidable
navy and q very large military
reserve, while the United States
mas a tremendous international
trade and lily fortified harbors.
Nor is it entirely certain that in
he event of war with the United
States Spain will not be able to
enlist in her aid one or more of
'he European powers.
Taken all in all, the incident
a very serious one; but we
should not get excited over it. 1t
S true we have as our President
\ weak and low politician; but
we have also great and warlike
people, and could make a great
var if necessary.