The record-union., 1898-02-17
GRAVE COMPLICATIONS
May Result, Unless 1t Can be
Proven an Accident.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 16.-The Maine
accident formed the principal topic Of
consideration by the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations at its meeting
to-day. The opinion generally expressed
by members of the committee in this
informal conference were to the effect
that the occurrence may result in grave
complications, unless Spain can make it
very plain that no Spaniard was in any
way responsible for it. A prominent
member of the committee said after the
meeting that Spain would be expected
to make an explanation that would en-
tirely clear up the mystery, and that if
she did not this country would have a
right to demand such explanation
Most of the members of the committee
refused after the conference to ex-
press any opinion concerning the occur
renee.
1T is too serious to talk about at
present" said Senator Lodge
Senator Cullom said: Il can't see
how the explosion could have been the
result of an accident, and / think the
time is rapidly approaching when this
country must do something in regard to
Cuba"
Senator Clark would only say: 1T is
singular that such an accident should
happen at such an inopportune time
The greatest interest prevailed among
Senators and Representatives as to the
extent of the Maine disaster The i'm
mense gravity of the situation, in case
later advices should show that the dis
aste- was not purely accidental, was
admitted by all public men. Conserva-
tive public men in the face of the ap-
palling catastrophe, the meager infor-
nation at hand and the possible con-
sequences, therefore, declined to ex.
press any opinion at this time.
Senators and members of the House
as rule express the opinion for publ
cation that the catastrophe was the re-
suit of accident, and not of design, bat
there Were some opinions, generally ex-
pressed under the breath, with the adj
monitor not to publish, to the effect
that the affair looked very mysterious.
As a rule Senators expressed the opin-
ion that the department would and
should make a thorough investigation.
and added that for the present 1t
would be unnecessary for Congress TO
take tbs. matter up.
Committee, Chairman Singerly of the
Ways end Means, and members Of the
Naval Committee of the House all said
it was best to wait further information
before expressing themselves.
Hit said ii would be we'll for the
public TIC follow the cue given by Cap
tain Sigsbee. and suspend judgment un-
Ill the cause was ascertained.
Senator Plat of Connecticut express
ed the belief that the explosion would
be found to be the result of an acct
dent from within.
Ex-senator Butler of South Carolina,
member of the Committee on For
| eign Relations in the Senate during his
service, was of the opinion that some
bold man had gone aboard the Maine
and placed a grenade with a slow
match, where II would explode the mag
zine.
| Senator Hale. Chairman of the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs. said he had
| just come from an interview with the
| Secretary OF the Navy, and that he felt
confident that the Navy Department
would institute a thorough investiga-
ton. There is no occasion" said he
Senator. for Congress TO take the mat
ter up. 1t is. OF course. impossible from
| the Information received to say how
the accident occurred. but l feel coma
/ dent that the facts that have been de.
| veloped viii show that it was an acct
/ dent. The Maine was. of course pre-.
pared for action in case action should
be necessary. and had, therefore. many
vulnerable points exposed. A battle
ship is little less than a volcano unde,
the mos. favorable circumstances, ana
when legislating for the increase of ths
navy. / always feel that a war vess )
may prove as dangerous to those or
board as TO those to whom it may
| engage in contest"