The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-24

that the position of the plates show that
the big magazine forward did not ex-
plode.
The divers, it is believed by many, will
md very little of the structure of the ship
forward of the ten-inch turret.
The Olivette's number of passengers for
Key West to-day was larger than usual.
IL is reported that Senor Jose Congosto,
the secretary general, has been censured
py Gen. Blanco, under instructions from
Madrid, for sending dispatches to a New
York newspaper with reference to the
Maine explosion, and warned NOT to offend
again.
1t is feared that the excitement in the
United states over the explosion may dl-
vert attention from the needs of the starry
ing reconcentrados and pacificos. The
condition of the peasantry and the poor
OF the interior cities and those sent to the
seapoard can be scarcely exaggerated in
elements of horror. From most trustworthy
sources it is ascertained that while the
outward signs of famine and disease are
not SO plentiful as q few months and weeks
ago, 1t is because death is busy and the
sunererS who are left are too weak to get
on the streets. AS an illustration, in the
province of Santa Clara seventeen persons
took shelter in an abandoned lime kiln
When their presence was discovered by
the authorities thirteen were dead and the
others too far gone to recover The story
is officially corroborated.
The explosion continues the main topic
in all circles, but especially American. 1t
is useless to deny that many believe in an
outside agency. These assert that even
cursory examination of the wreck shows
conclusively that the disaster could not
have originated from within 1t is pointed
out that the Names magazines forward
were filled with brown hexagonal powder
in proper cases and would be slow to ig-
mite, while all the high explosives were aft
1t is generally conceded that neither the
boilers, the electric wires nor spontaneous
combustion could, from the condition of
things, be responsible
The wreck has sunk several feet already
in the soft mud, and probably will continue
to settle. An American officer of rank suf-
ficient to entltle him to the confidence of
Americans is authority for the statement
that Spanish naval officer some time ago
sold to the Washington state department
map of Havana harbor, showing SUBJ
marine mines. The Spanish residents de-
ny this statement, and say that the mines
exist only in Imagination. The Cubans, en-
the other hand, claim that main galleries
from the harbor lead to subteTanean pa
sages known to have existed in Moro
Castle
Gen. Blanco, on the night of the disaster,
was sitting with Gen. Marinas in the cor
ridor of the palace. When he heard the
explosion he jumped from his chair ex-
claiming: AT last they have put shell
en- the palace"
The latest dispatches from Madrid re-
received here confirm the reports that
the home government agrees to an ampli-
fication of the autonomous constitution in
the direction of greater independence. This
depends upon the insurgents accepting the
condition of peace.
In well informed circles it is believed
that If the government attempts to dis
arm the volunteers great disturbances will
follow.
Gen. Solano, the second chief of staff,
yesterday said: From the queen down
the sentiment of 100000 Spanish people
favors complete autonomy for Cuba, ex-
cept a small minority in Spain and about
400 Spanish residents in Cuba, whose pa
triotism is measured by their own person
atty and their regard for IS pieces
Despite their opposition, autonomy will
come, because of Spains willingness to
grant natives political control, and the
Spanish are willing to go SO far, if neces-
sary to secure peace, to make Maxine Co
mez the first head of an autonomous gov
ernment."
Il is not believed that any negotiations
between Senor Gown, Secretary of the In
terror Senor Dolz, Secretary of Communi-
cations, and Senor Gibera, and the insur-
gent leader, Capote, in the name of the
autonomist government, will come to any,
thing. No one expects any substantial
results to be obtained by the autonomists
in that direction.