The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-01

Iroops-senator Proctor Sails TOR Hawai-
Washington. February 25.-In spite
Of the stories that come from unofficial
sources in havana as to sensational
developments in connection with the
work OF the divers in the Names hull,
the administration remains firm in it's
statement that there is no credible
evidence one way or the other as to the
cause Of the disaster, and holds to it's
purpose to await the conclusion Of the
Investigation now making by tn ">urt
of inquiry. This position was --pha-
sised at tOday's cabinet meeting.
People who looked for some startling
annOuncementWere disappointed as the
members, without reservation, frankly
admitted that the subject of the loss
Of the Maine had been discussed, but
said that the government had received
no information from Havana since
yesterday and a no intention of
changing its policy until there was
something OF substance 10 warrant it.
The Spanish legation was equally in
the dark as to any Of the discoveries
reported from sources that are not cit
ed. Secretary Long has been under a
heavy and nos constant strain ever
since he was awakened in the middle
Of the night a week ago last Tuesday
by the news Of the loss of the Maine,
AM IL" lHdl IldLICIS are, dL ltdSl, lOI
the time being, in a quiet state he has
gone away for a few days rest, leaving
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to man
age the department. The latter has
been thoroughly advised at evey step
of the secretary's policy Of treatment
of the Maine affair so that there is not
likely to be any change in that re-
spect caused by the temporary aSsump
'tiOn Of the duties of secretary by Mr..
TDlL-nE.It T1II- lcfnrn Tho Irpn ~ r11an+
closed he had word of the sailing of the
cruiser Montgomery from Tampa for
Key West. Up to that time the vessel
had been given 10 orders so that the
date of her departure for Havana, if
she is to go at all, is cO~njectural. The
ship went to Tampa instead of Key
West on her return from Son Domingo
in order to facilitate the speedy return
to his duties in Washington of Captain
CrOWninshieId, the chief of the naviga-
tion bureau, who saved a full day by
the movement.
The Castine, the second of the United
States Warships, on the South Allan
tic station, arrived today from Barba-
does, has Joined the Cincinnati. 1t mag
be that the Castine will go to Marti-
nique or be locked as she is in need of
cleaning after her tropical service.
SEARCHING FOR PRECEDENTS
AS TO DEMANDING INDEMNITY.
Since so much depends upon the re-
port of the court of inquiry, it may be
interesting to note that so far, Secre-
tary Long himself does not know when
to expect this important UP
to this time having heard nOhing from
any of he members on this point. He
rather expected that the court, which
has complete power to work on its own
1.z-. -.,,,1l .,-;r1 ny - xTrOrL n T Ia
vana before leaving, so as to avoid the
necessity for a return trip. One mem
Der of the caJBinet had a more refinlte
opinion on the subject, expecting the
receipt of the report about the middle
of next week. There is reason
to believe that, meantime, and to pre-
pare for the reception of a report That
would show the disaster to be other
than the result of an accident, some OF
the officials of the administration have
been looking up the subject of indem-
mites, so as to lay the OF a
case. in the event it should be decided
to resort to that method of settlement.
There are a larger number prec-
pdents which will aid the authorities
in shaping their action in this direction
when the facts are fully established.
while hone of the cases SHOW the fear
full loss of life sustained by the Maine
explosion. vet they include many m
stances in which the United States mas
adopted energetic measures to redress
the killing of American citizens IN for
eign countries. In a general way, lheSe
methods of redress have included de-
mands for indemnity, p~roclamatlonS
excluding warships of the offending ma
ton from our harbors, display OF force
non-intercOurse withdrawal or our
minister, reprisal, and blockade. Some
of these steps BORDER VERY CLOSE
LY ON WAR, although they are re-
garded as the movements just prellml-
nary to actual hOStilities and as mean
ing that force Will follow if PREPARATION
is not made.
CASES IN POINT.
The case of the Water Witch is con-
sidered to be the most analogous 10
that of the Maine, should it be eStab-
Iisjhed that the Maine disaster was not
the result of an accident. The Water
Witch was a United States snip en-
gagged in 1855 in surveying the entrance
to one of the rivers of Paraguay. With
out warming and by orders OF freSl-
dent Lopez, of Paraguay, a force OF
troops opened fire on the Water Wltch,
killing the man art the hellp ana
Uounding others. Intense feeling was
aroused in the United States when the
news became known. The president
reported the facts to congress-, and in
his message asked authority to make
:. demonstration of force which Would
ensure suitable redress. In response
to this, congress authorized him to
use such force as is necessarily 10
secure ample reparation. Accordingly
an armed fleet was hastily
on a scale which was regarded as re-
markable for those days. The eXpedl-
ton included nineteen armed shlps'
twenty five heavy guns and 2,50O sail
OTIS and marines. Accompanying TINS
formidable outfit were clVlllan pIenu-
potentiaries prepared to make the de-
mands of this government, and then
force them by calling on the armed
ships. The expedition made a ormld
able showing in South American
waters. and President LOpez's govern
ment was awed into complete suoJec-
49,. LIZ - nrnsnnca- Tho American