The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-17
OPINIONS OF C0NGRESsMEN
SOME POSITIVE IN CHARGING SPAN
IARDS WITH TREACHERY,
Though No Facts Have Yet Developed
to support Their Assertions-Vfews
of Several Naval Officers.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-President Nc
Kinley and Congress are of one mind as TO
the advisability of suspending judgment in
regard to the destruction Of the battle ship
Maine. The appalling disaster fills every
ones thoughts, but with remarkable unan-
unity public men of high and low degree
counseled moderation and advised that we
wait until all the facts obtainable are known
as to the cause of the wrecking of the war
ship. The investigation which was set on
foot this afternoon may not be completed
for day or two, but whether it is over in
an hour or in two weeks the disposition to
keep down excitement is likely to prevail,
judging from the present temper of the na-
tional capital
Indications thus far point to the conclu-
tai, but such may not prove to be the case.
and it will take great deal of substantial
evidence to remove the suspicion which has
seized on the country that it was Of Spanish
that the administration could do for the re-
lief of the distress occasioned by the disas-
ter has been done, and the Spanish govern
ment has been prompt>to extend its sympa-
thy while the Spanish officials in Havana
have done all that lies in their power to
extend assistance The situation is. never
theless, regarded as extremely critical, and
if the people develop an ugly temper, as it
is feared they may as they dwell on all the
features and phases of the affair. Congress
and the administration may be forced to
sisted. From a political standpoint, there
fore, the effect of the news on the people
is of the highest Importance, and those who
have the direction of policies will watch.
with anxiety. advices from the interior.
Unless the proof is conclusive that the ex
plosion was really and genuinely accidental.
and that it could not have been caused by
Spanish connivance, popular feeling may
force summary climax.
The naval establishment is in warIike
mood, and tremendous pressure has been
put on Secretary Long to send naval
squadron into Cuban waters at once. The
argument is advanced that it will be just
easy to keep down the excitement at home
and abroad with number of battle ships off
Havana as it would be if these ships were
ten or twenty hours away. Secretary Long
falls back on the advice of Consul General
Lee not to send any war vessels, and the
President indorses the secretary's view. If
any men-of-war are dispatched to Cuba
there will be no brass band display about it.
but they will steal away quietly, and some
move of that kind may not be regarded as
startling if it should be undertaken.
Fighting joe Wheeler, member OF Con-
gress from Alabama, telegraphed the Pres
ident this morning early, saying that in the
event of a war with Spain he wanted the
opportunity to resign his seat in Congress
and head the first regiment of volunteers
to engage In the struggle. General Joe
was the Phil Sheridan of the Confederate
army, and as a dashing cavalry officer
made a name in history. 1t would recon-
cile members of Congress to a war with
Spain to have the old warrior resign, for he
is regarded as something of a bore.
"Dirigo" is the motto of Maine, Dirigo,
translated, means Il lead" This fact is
pointed out in the navy. where superstitions
abound as an omen of i'll. The Maine led
into the harbor of Havana. The Maine
leads in the number of casualties among
the new navy, and it is probable that SUI
perstitious seamen viii look upon the affair
of last night as an omen of coming disaster
to the American fleet which may follow the
lead of the Maine into a hostile port
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