The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-02-25
GET THE FACT, THEN ACT.

FL L AZ ~
We give place to the following arti-
Gle from the Philadelphia Times which
presents Il very practical view OF the
question. involved in the destruction OF
the Maine The latest reports seem to
Indicate that it was the work of Il mine
or torpedo. but nothing positive is
vet known in this country:
Captain Sampson, of the Iowa; Captain
Chadwick, of the New York; Captain
Mark, of the Vermont, and Lieutenant
Commander Potter, of the New York,
is now at Havana, and will proceed
promptly to investigate the causes of the
explosion that destroyed the battleship
Maine.
These men are thoroughly equipped for
the delicate. and responsibility duty assign
ed to them, and will have at their com
mand the most accomplished skill III
divers and all others necessary to ascer-
tain the exact truth as nearly as it shall
be attainable. Until truth shall thus be
obtained, there should be a deliberate sus-
pension of Judgment, not only by the
government but throughout the entire
country.
If 1t shall be shown that the battleship
Maine was destroyed by internal eXplo-
sion of any kind, Spain must be acquitted
of all responsibility for the terrible
tragedy, and the only manly way would
be frankly to confess it to the world.
If it shall be shown that the battle
ship Maine was destroyed by submarine
torpedo within the control of the Spanish
authorities, but one conclusion can be ac
copied 1t would be an act of war; and no
explanation could be made to lessen the
responsibility of the Spanish Government
for the deliberate destruction of the
vessel No apology or restitution of
the value of the vessel, or money atone
ment for the hundreds of brave lives
wantonly sacrificed, could be accepted.
II liz NCSHSi Nas IVY w Wv -
the many torredoes now planted in waters
about Havana for the protection of the
city, Spain would be none the less re-
sponsible for the destruction of the YES
sci, and for full indemnity, but it would
not be deliberate act of war on the
part of Spain The development of such
facts would, however, greatly intensity
the war feeling of this country and weak
en- the power of the government to with
stand the demand for Intervention in
Cuban affairs.
The loss of the warship Maine was GER
tainly the result of one of these causes.
The first, and most probable one, Is an
internal explosion either of the boilers or
magazines: the second, the explosion of
torpedo under control of the Spanish an-
thoritics in Havana, and the third the
accidental explosion of IA torpedo placed
in the Cuban wate-s by Spain to protect
Havana.
1t is of vital Importance that the GOV
ernment and American people shall be
fully advised as to the exact facts If 1t he
possible to obtain them, and if the eX-
ploson was internal, all further inquiry
relating to the completely of Spain must
end If submarine torpedo caused the
destruction Of the ship, Spain must be
held responsible for it either as an act of
deliberate war or a. an act that compels
the fullest indemnity if the explosion was
unntentonal
1t is only natural that the general SYM
pathy of this country for Cuba should be
intensified by the fearful tragedy of the
loss of the warship Maine in Cuban waters
and we shall be glad if it prompts Con-
gress and the President to positive action
and recognition of the belligerent rights
Of the Cubans. They arc entitled to that
recognition They should have bad it
more than year ago, and the fact that
the Spanish army in Cuba is even more
powerless to-day than at any time in the
past to meet and conquer the Cuban
insurgents, should decide our govern
ment to give bclligerent rights to the
Cubans
The granting of belligercnt rights to the
Cubans would not be a cause of war with
Spain. Spain was prompt in granting
belligerent rights to the Confcderatcs at
the beginning of our civil war, but our
government did not for Il moment con
slider it as IA cause for war. 1t should be
done rs a matter of right, and if Spain
government Il cause for war, it would be
our duty to to accept it; and thereby en-
able us to end the tiendish butchcry that
has prevailed in Cuba for three long
years. Let us get the facts and then act
as justice, humanity and the honor Of the
nation demand