Arizona republican., 1898-03-07
Proable Decision that the Maine was Blown Up by a Mine
THE GATHERING AT HAVANA
Where the War Sentiment is
 Strongest
The Speech Which Senator Proctor Is Likely to Make on hIs Return From His Special Mission to Cuba.

Havana, March 6.-As the convic- tion becomes settled that the court of inquiry will decide that there was a mine explosion under the Maine, the discussion among American naval off cers and civilians here is prevalent as to the warlike measures which it is believed the United States government will adopt in case the question of the payment of an indemnity by Spain is overruled.
 A majority believe that American troops will be landed at some port east of Havana and in connection with the insurgents the Spanish soldiery will be defeated or captured in detail and that in the meantime fleet of United States vessels will blockade, if not lombard, Havana. No one doubts that the reduction of this city would be comparatively easy. That some Spaniards are of the opinion that an attack on Havana will be made, is believed to be shown by the abnormal activity displayed on board the Viz caya The Associated Press cores pondent has the best naval authority for the statement that the Vizcaya is in a constant state of readiness for an emergency and that the picket boats are on the alert day and night inside the harbor and outside the harbor at night.
 Senator Proctor is likely to make a speech in the senate on his return that will have great weight in de- termining the future policy of the United States. He is much affected by the suffering that he found in Ma tanzas, and is highly indignant at what he calls ''the inhumanity of the course pursued" During his visit to Artemisa, in this province, he saw thousands of reconcentrados who re- fused to beg, though starving. They were evidently of a class accustomed to make their own living and unwil- ling to become paupers. He saw thou sands of acres of the best tobacco and banana lands in the world reduced to waste, with trochas and garrisons at
 
 His driver, pointing to the noun tains miles away, said: "TI ere are plenty of insurgent camps ,here the Spanish have never discovered" The work of the distribution of American relief under Miss Clara Barton, MT. FL well and their assistants is, in Senator Proctor's judgment, carefully and ef- fectively carried on.
 It is pointed out that the men-of- war Vizcaya and the Almirante, Oquendo, when the latter arrives, might be caught in blockade and fall an easy prey to the United States feet The cruiser Alfonso XIII is without boilers and would be of no account All this discussion of the probability of war among Americans and Spanish proves nothing, and only shows the state of feeling here. The conduct of the Spanish divers who are investi- gating the wreck of the Maine is mystery. Thus far they have not been down five hours in the aggregate and they show no disposition to make a thorough inquiry.
 There is a demand far in excess of the supplies expected at Matanzas and Sagua Grande to be brought by the American cruisers. It will, however, afford unspeakable relief. Now that the Almirante, the Oquendo and the Vizcaya are lying in the harbor, Span iards exultingly declare their city is safe and it is given out officially in the newspapers that the new arrival is of the same size, armament and complement as the Vizcaya.