The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-19
ACCIDENT THEORY.
Bureau Chiefs Alarmed at Its
Growth.
PUTS THEM In A PLIGHT.
Faulty Construction Would Be
Their Fault.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
Suspicion That He Takes II to
/ Allay Excitement.
PUTS THEM IN A PLIGHT.
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.

Washington, Feb Reconsideration pre-
walls at the navy department, among the
bureau chiefs, at the growth of sentiment
in support of the accident theory, in con-
nection with the destruction of the Maine.
When the news of the disaster first reach
ed the department, last Monday morning,
Secretary Long and ALL or nearly all of the
bureau officers were of the opinion that
the explosion was due to Spanish treach-
cry During the morning hours of that day,
that theory was advanced throughout the
department, the strongest and most logical
advocates being Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt and Commodore Hichborn, chief
of the bureau of construction and repair.
1t is the policy of the administration to
consider the terrible calamity an accident,
until proven otherwise and in consequence
the naval chiefs are beginning to realize
that the responsibility for the dreadful oc-
currence may be shifted on to their shoul-
ders Taking their bearings from the views
expressed by the President and Secretary
Long, several Of the bureau officers chang
ed their course and are now steering by
the accident compass.
To-day it has just commenced to dawn
upon some of them what the consequence
may be to them individually, and to the
branch of the service they represent,
should the accident theory be demonstrate
ed If the investigation shows that the
explosion was accidental, the natural Sc
quence is that the responsibility must be
located in one or more of the various bu-
reaus Hence the chiefs of the bureaus.
concerned are busy tonight trying TO
show that the accident could not have re-
suited from any defect in their respective
departments
Commander O'Nei. chief of the ord
nance bureau, insists that the accident
must have occurred in the engineering or
construction departments.
Chief Engineer Melville is equally GER
tain that the reports thus far received in
dicate clearly that the accident must have
occurred in the magazines, which are un-
der the jurisdiction of the ordnance bu-
reau.
OF tne equipment
bureau, is confident that the accident did
not occur from spontaneous combustion
in the coal bunkers, and he is equally pos
tive thN the coal used aboard the Maine
was of a superior quality.
In the midst of this petty official Jug
glery and the attempt of certain officers
to shift the Responsibility onto shoulders
not their own, Chief Constructor Hichborn
comes out boldly and declares that the
IL.
construction, nor does he believe that it is
possible for the accident to have occurred
under existing circumstances. He mas 10
disposition to place the responsibility in
any particular bureau. He insists that
under the circumstances the Maine went
to Havana fully prepared for the impor-
tant duty to which she was assigned. Tie
officers and men all realized that their mis-
sion was one of the gravest nature end
he is convinced that every member Of the
ships company, from Capt. Sigsbee down
to the humblest coal passer, was on the
alert to the requirements of the occasion.
He does not believe the fault arose from
bursting of boilers nor spontaneous com
bustion nor careless handling of the ord
nance stores, but he is unshaken In the
belief that the explosion was probably
caused by treachery.
1t is consequence of the desire on the
part of the bureau chiefs to unload the
| responsibility outside their respective bu-
reaus that caused Senator Mason In the
Senate to-day to question the proprety
OF continuing the investigation of the
Maine to a board of naval officers. With
this strong feeling of jealousy existing
and an anxiety to evade responsibility on
their part, he thinks 1t not unreasonable
to assume that the investigation may be
| less productive of results than is earnest
| ly looked for by the people of the civil
lied world. 1t win not do, some claim.
| for naval officers to drag into the pend
ing chamber of horrors, the old family
| skeleton (the row between the line and
the stafO and make 1t part of the sad
| picture.
The whole force OF the administration
has been placed back OF the accident the
| ory, but ii is believed by many that this
is for effect only,and is mean to keep down
the possibility OF outbreaks.
For two days an outbreak i'm Congress
| has been carefully avoided. 1t came to-
| day, however in the shape of most sem
satlonal episode In the Senate. Senator
| Mason whose biting criticism Of the ad-
ministration has greatly displeased many
| of his Republican colleagues, started Il
| with a sensational speech In favor of an
| investigation by committee of Congress
He charged In this that the people had
lost confidence in one Of the branches of
| the government.
This brought Senator Wolcott to his feet
\ In a strong defense Of the navy depart
l ment, which, as he construed Senator Ma