The record-union., 1898-03-17
CAUSE or MAINE DISASTER.
Spanish AND AMERICAN RE
PORTS WILL CLASH.
Tie Former Sticks to the Inside
Explcsicn--.The Latter Says
1t Was on the Outside.

NEW YORK, March IA dispatch
to the ''World' from Madrid says;
It leaks out, notwithstanding great
reserve in official quarters, that the
Government knows that the Spanish
and the American committees inquir-
ing into the cause of the blowing up
Of the Maine do not agree in the con-
clusions drawn from their respective
Investigations, but that their reports
clash. The Spanish committee is firm
in the opinion thai the catastrophe was
the result of an accidental explosion
inside the Maine. On the other hand,
the American court of inquiry, it is
Maine from any blame, attributing the
disaster to some unknown exterior
cause.
The Spanish Government expected
cable dispatches from the Admiral at
Havana, with the final report of the
Spanish committee. before the meeting
of the extraordinary council of Min
listers, which was summoned for last
evening. But nothing viii be known
probably concerning the future inten-
tions of the Spanish Cabinet until Pres
ident Mckinley duly intimates the
course he purposes to adopt.
1t is evident that the Spanish Gov
ernment has determined to stand on the
defensive, While resolutely keeping in
touch with public sentiment in regard
to the upholding of Spanish interests
and rights in Cuba.
The council was also to examine into
the case OF Senor Ceballos. whose con-
duct viii be overlooked if he acted in
private capacity, as he seemed to in
dicate when he cabled forty eight hours
ago to the Marquis of Comillas, Pres
ident of the Spanish transatlantic line,
an account of a conversation with
President Mckinley which Comillas i'm
nediately conveyed to Sagasta Senor
Sagasta says:
IF what passed in the supposed in
terview of President Mckinley with
Senor Ceballos to secure peace in Cuba
is true, we would reject it,
At meeting of a new conservative
party, its chief-elect, Senor Silva. said.
We have solemnly promised to re-
spect Loyalty whatever parliament may
sanction in regard TO the new colonial
regime, and | consider this a sacred ma
tional promise. The great ruling par
compromise is not in harmony with then
convictions. When the Cortes assem-
bies we Will be bound to q mand strict
account of the treasures of our honor.
blood and finance, fixing the limit OF
determining the fnallty these sacred
sacrifices must have and fixing with a
Gear conscience their object and signifi-
cance"
FROM OUTSIDE CAUSE.
HAVANA (via Key WesO March 1G.
With the departure cf the court of in
quiTy after q second visit 10 the scene
OF the wreck Of the Maine the tension
grows serious. There is no reason to
change the belief that the court will find
that the disaster was caused by an ex-
ploson outside the Maine. but its men,
bers have been as secret as the grave.
/ The chief officers have been absolutely
discreet. while the talk of the divers has
been contradictory.
From numerous bits Of evidence that
have come out during the three weeks
examination it seems as sure as any
thing in this latitude can be that the
plans before the court show that the
ship was broken in two and the for
ward rsrt rent asunder bs an explo-
sion from the outside
No one believes that any Spanish Off
Gals o. officers Of rank viii he implf-
Gated, whatever may be the findings Of
the cCLrt. Captain Sampson, before
leaving. said the courts departure was
not due to orders received, but was
decided upon solely by the members
themselves. The wrecking work has
been very slow. but it is hoped that
now, with the added facilities and the
others that are to come. work will be
| advanced with greater rapidity.