The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-20
THE MAINE ANDAUTONOMY.
OFFICIAL REPORTS OF HORRORS
IN CUBA READY FOR CONGRESS.
when Made known Intcrventisn Inevitable
Whatever the Result or the Maine 1nvesti-
gntiep-Famine ana Inhurunnity Must ne
Rtopped = Tho AaminIntrntIon TO Act.

whatever the Result or the N1aine Investi-
E~ntiep-FaEine and Inhu,unnity Munt ne
stopped = The ADMINISTRATION TO Act.
WASHINGTON. Feb. le.-Not since the assas.
s~ination Of Mr.. Lincoln has Washington been 30
profoundly stirred as by the destruction of the
Maine. The Administration is wisely and
honestly proceeding upon the theory that the
explosion was purely accidental. Still. while
the surface here is calm, there IA suppressed
emotion, ready, in case inquiry develops an out.
ward attack on the ship, to burst forth In a de.
mand for war which IL will be difficult. IL not
impossible, to Withstand. II such n question
could be asked regarding a ship. Il would be:
"was the Maine assassinated ~ The feeling IL
universal that II tho blow came from tho outside
It would not DO q forced form of question, and
the fact would then be ftly described as an
assassination of the battleship and her crew.
There will be no hnsty opinions promulgated.
Such as are reached will be founded solidly on
fact. There will DO promptness and thorough.
ness in Investigation, but no haste which en-.
dangers accuracy.
While Washington waits with bated breath
the solution of the mystery, some new informa.
ton in regard to the real situation on the island.
and added emphasis to conditions heretofore
only partially revealed. have been received from
residents whose opportunities for knowing the
truth are excellent.
There are now reliable statements from all
accessible parts of the island showing, beyond
any room for question, that autonomy has
failed. There lie no longer a belief here that It
was at any time intended that 1t should sue
coed. It Is certain now that both Cubans and
Spaniards are spurning 1t. What is also of
quite as much Importance. the fact of this fall
ure is now recognized in the official circles Of
Washington.
While the advices rs to increasing destitution
and starvation continue horrible, and appeal
moro strongly than all other motives for nction
on the part Of the United States, tho reports of
a fast growing feeling among resident Spaniards
for either annexation or protection in some
form which will bring immediate peace have
fixed the attention of our authorities.
The famine conditions are no longer confined
to the reconcentrados. In some of the towns re.
mote from Havana Spanish officers and soldiers
have been saved from starvation by food given
them by American Consuls. Instances have
been reported where large SQUADS appeared at
tho consulates and appealed for food to save
their lives. While every effort is still making
to distribute relief supplies, 1t is known that not
n dollar or n Mound of food has as vet reached
two of the largest and most destitute provinces.
Estimates have been received from those com.
potent from personal observation to make them,
that Il would REQUIRE S5O. 900 a week to feed
those who are in dire need, and who cannot long
live without help.
At length the consular reports are going to
Congress. It is understood that there ia to be as
little elimination as possible, and where IL Is
used 1t will be for tho protection of citizens who
have given Information of conditions. In such
cases names will be suppressed, together with
such illusions as would serve to identify indi.
viduals. Inlother respects, Senators have been
assured that the reply to the resolution of in.
quiry will be complete.
These reports will unauestionably show the
| country that there has been very little, IL any,
| exaeReration in the press in describing the hor.
| rors of Spanish methods of war or estimating
| the appalling death lists from starvation and
| CONSEQUENT disease, or in depicting the present
| utter restitution of large communities. With
all that has been printed in press dispatches,
| which has sickened the country and which the
| public has tried for humanity's sake not to re.
| ceiye with full credit, Congressman who have
read these consular reports declare hat they
| will astound and horrify the country.
report which comes from an official source
throws light upon tho question of the alleged
humanities which Blanco has introduced into