The record-union., 1898-03-07
SHOULD WAR BE DECLARED?
Discussion as to What Measures
the United States Will Adopt.

HAVANA, March b (Vla hey w est
Fla. AS the conviction becomes set
tied that the Court of Inquiry Will de-
eide that there was an explosion unoer
the Maine, discussion among American
naval officers and civilians here is pre-
valent as to the warlike measures winch
it is believed the United States Gov
ernment will adopt In case the question
of the payment Of indemnity by Spain
is overruled A majority believe that
American troops Will be landed at some
port east of Havana and the Insurgents
communicated With; that the Spanish
solliery wis be, defeated captured in
detail. and that in the meantime fleet
Of United States vessels will blockade, if
not lombard. Havana.
No one seems to doubt that the de-
struction of this city would be con,para-
lively easy Four twelve-inch guns,
two west and two east of the city, are
the only ones that are considered dam
gerous. These are not likely to be we'll
served. while their placements are not
modern.
That some Spaniards are Of the opin-
! ion that an attack on Havana Will be
made is believed to be shown by the
abnormal activity displayed on board
! the Vizcaya The Associated Press cor
respondent has the best naval author
ity for the statement that the NlZcaya
is in constant state of readiness tor
emergencies, and that picket boats are
on the alert day and night inside the
harbor, and outside the harbor at night.
It is pointed out that the men-of-war
Vizcaya and Almirante Oquendo, when
/ the latter arrives, might be caught IN
! a blockade and fall an easy prey TO
United States fleet The cruiser AL
| phonso XIII is without boilers, and
would be of no account.
Ali this discussion of the probability
of war among the Americans and Span
| iardS proves nothing, and only shows
the state of feeling here.
| The conduct of the Spanish divers
who are investigating the wreck Of the
Maine is mystery. Thus far they have
/ not been down five hours In the aggre-
gate, and they show no disposition to
make a thorough inquiry II is impos-
sible TO learn the truth fully regarding
the Spanish Court of Inquiry but II is
generally believed that the divers went
down for forms sake only. and that
report will be made in accordance with
| instructions from Madrid. 1t may be
that the Spanish divers have discovered
that the whole port side of the Maine
| forward is gone, and having SO report
ed. further examination is deemed un-
necessary. The work of our own divers
lhenceforward is bound to be slow, ow-
ling to the ponderous weights to be
imoved and the safety clamps, nuts and
riyets that must be cut.
Senator Proctor is likely to make a
speech in the Senate on his return that
win have great weight in determining
the future policy of the United States.
He is much affected by the suffering
THAT he found in MatanZas, and highly
Indignant at what he calls the 'inhu-
Imanity Of the course pursued During
a visit to Artemisa this province, he
saw thousands of reconcentrados who
lrefused to beg, though starving. They
Iwere evidently of a class accustomed TO
Imake their own living. and unwilling 10
ibecoms paurers. He saw vast acres OF