Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-03-04
STATEN E,N' Z 9 B E CT
SENIOR DU Bose SAYS HAVANA HAIR
Dor WAS. NoT3MiNED.

Statement Not Made az Matter Of
Of Opinion, but AZ q Fact, Ascertained
Upon Inquiry, From spanish Authority.
It Il Considered Important.
w AsH1NGToN, Feb. rs The govern.
ment authorities have been placed in
possession Of the information reaching
Senior Dn Bose, charge d'affairs of the
Spanish legation, that no mines exist
inside or outside of Havana harbor.
This information reached Senior Dn
Bose after midnight, and was COM
municated to the public in a brief and
explicit statement. It can be stated
that this sta tement was made, not as a
matter of opinion or personal convic-
ton ON the part Of Senior Du Bose, but
as conclusion Of fact ascertained from
those whose official position makes
them familiar with every circumstance
connected with Havana harbor. Until
this information was in the possession
of the charge d'affaires, he had no per.
sonal knowledge of the facts.
Suegested by Correspondents.
It was suggested to him by repre-.
sentative of the press that in many
quarters positive statements were being
made that mines existed within Ha-
vana harbor and in the vicinity of the
Maine. Under such circumstances, he
was asked for direct statement bear
ing on this point, with view to clear
ing up any misrepresentation that might
exist. In view of this request, Senior
Du Bose set on foot an inquiry by cable
which gave him the information which,
up to that time, he had not possessed.
Naturally, the inquiry was distasteful
to the charge, and to the Spanish au.
thorities, as they deeply resent any
even implied imputation that the catas-
trophe to the Maine could be due to
mines or other external influences.
But for the purpose of giving the one
essential statement of fact in the
knowledge of those having the only
direct information on the subject, the
official statement was secured and made
public by Senior Du Bose.
Not a Government Statement.
It is not, however, it is explained at
the legation, statement of the Span.
ish government, for the government
has not felt called upon to repe] insin.
uations, which from it's standpoint
grossly reflect upon it's honor. The
purpose of Senior Du Bose was to make
the statement as one OF fact established
FROM the best official authorities and
not to make it as a government utter
ance, which he regarded as unneces-
sary. AS statement of fact, however,
it is given by Senior Du Bose with the
greatest positiveness, and from sources
of Spanish information whose authority
he says is not open to question. He
would not discuss the subject further,
saying it sufficed to make the one es.
sential statement Of fact.
Alger Thinks It Probably True.
When the attention of Professor
Philip Alger of the bureau Of ordnance,
navy department, was called to Senior
Du Bosc's statement, he says he has
been looking for some such expression,
as that seemed the natural thing for
the Spanish authorities to make such a
statement in case no mines existed in
Havana harbor From the first he said
he had maintained the view that the
explosion Of the Maine was probably
the result of an accident, and if Du
Bosc's statement could be proved to be
true, it would, in his opinion, render
the torpedo theory of the explosion en-.
tirely untenable.
FUNERAL OF MISS WILLARD.
Her Remains Laid to Rest at Evans
ton, Ills.
EVANSTON, Ills, Feb. 25.-The last
rites over the body of Frances Willard
president of the w. 9. T. u, were per.
formed here during the day. The city
was in mourning, schools and business
houses being closed, and flags put al
half mast out Of respect for the dead
leader Private services were first hello
at ''Rest Cottage Miss Wizards
home, at which were present only the
relatives and most in innate friends anc
off ce,s IF the w c. IT TT A nrava,