Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-21
SEMl-OFFlCIAL ADMISSIONS,
RELATIONS WITH CUBAN INSURGENTS,
Statement that the schemes of Autonomy
and Mediation are on the Verge
of Hopeless Collapse.

New York. March Ala dispatch to
the Tribune from Havana says:
The Spanish inquiry into the Maine
disaster has gone to pieces In seeking
the accident theory.
This admission is privately made in
government circles. The nature of the
boards report will not be changed.
The explosion will &c charged to UNI
known causes, but the Spanish find
ing will be with view of making
case to be passed on by a third party
The work of their divers has not been
thorough. Apparently they have
found so little evidence on which
theory Of internal explosion can be
based that the Spanish court is not
wiling to stand unequivocally on the
theory Of accident which it set out
10 maintain. The facts have been
known for three or fovf days.
This may account for statements
from Madrid that the Maine incident
will not be cause OF war between the
two countries and also for hints at AT
bitrating the disputes on the question
OF fact. This talk is semi official. The
Spanish authorities realize the improb-
ability Of successfully controverting
the case which will be presented when
the report Of Captain Sampson and
associates on the American board of
inquiry is published.
They have had an inkling that the
evidence on which an external explo-
sion due to foul play will be charged
is meant to satisfy, not simply the
American people. but the. Judgment
of experts throughout the world. How
strongly this conclusion of the Ameri-
can board is fortified will soon be
known. The cue received from Mad
rid is to have a counter case ready
so that suspension of the worlds
Judgment can be asked until diplo-
macy can arrange "A satisfactory set
tlement. The evident hope of Blanco's
government is TO keep the Maine Incl
dent entirely distinct from the other
Cuban questions,
Notwithstanding this lack of conf
dence in their own theory of accident,
IL cannot be learned that the authori-
ties are doing anything to uncover the
conSpiratorS who We're responsible for
blowing up the Maine. More import
anCe is given to the final effort of the
Gomez and the iusurgent leaders on
new basis than its certain outcome
warrants.
The chief interest is in the knowl-
edge that the negotiations are in fact
Blanco's, and that IL they are enter
tained in any form they will be clothed
with full official character. A few
officials profess confidence that Gomez
and the other insurgent leaders win
at least permit the propositions to be
made and will then dictate their own
terms under which SPANS flag may re-
main. No ground whatever exists for
this delusion. Gomez has already given
an indication of his answer. The in
surgents Will treat with Blanco's rep
resentative only on the basis of indie
pendence, With that understanding
they will agree to an Rrmistice, while
the good Offices of the United States
are employed In arranging an indemni-
ty and other details under which Spain
might be willing TO withdraw her
troops and abandon the island. The
government cropping In a circle. Is the
phrase applied to the final effort to
make terms with the insurgents. II
does not go fast enough to travel.
Probably the best thing for all parties
is to have the failure Of the attempted
negotiations with Gomez made known
promptly and emphaucally If there
We're faint prospect Of success. this
could only come through double deal
ing.
The fifteen propositions OF Giberga
and Gown are still the basis OF all Of
fers made 20 the insurgents. Among
these is included the dsarming of the
volunteers. This organization holds
the written assurance NJ General Par
RADIO, authorized by Captain Genera,
Blanco. that no such idea viii be enter
tanned The SaEasta ministry In Ma
drid Endorsed the statement. The vol
unteers are pcttcd. They are now tax
ing part in the regular maneuvers or
the army. as well as In the artillery
practice They could not be disarmed
without revolution. and the attempt
will never be made. Nevertheless. the
insurgents have been asked to accept
n scheme OF ENLARGED autonomy. OF
which the disarmament Of the volun-
tecrs is part Of the program. They
will not be fooled, nor will the volun-
teers be fooled.
The deception was ment to be prac-
ticed on the United states, in seeking
to make II a party TO the negotiations
and In manner responsible for their
failure. That was the policy of the
palace in Havana II would hardly
have been adopted here had 1t not been
acceptable in Madrid.
The autonomist cabinet, or the radical
members of It, will not be left entirely
alone to serve as scrapag)nts. Gen. Sa-
lano, chief of the general stan, while
not endorsing all the articles In the
program OF final concessions to the in
surgents has approved II in the main.
He favored inviting Gomez TO take part
in the new Cuban government that was
TO be formed, with the Spanish flag ms
about the only thing left to Spain.
A few other officers ~ high rank who
are devoted TO the monarchy. sympa-
thize with Salano. and would Join him
in making the sacrifc which these con-
SESSIONS would demand The majority
of the army officers. however would re-
volt against the propositions II there
was chance OF their acceptance by
the insurgents. just as they revolted In
the January riots against autonomy.
trl,nA thaaa insiIhor,dlnata ARMY nfficprs