Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-03-05
CONSUL GENERAL LEE
EXPRESSES AN OPINION
Advises the State Department That
the Maine Disaster Was Not
Result of an Accident,
ABOUT SPAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY
She May Refuse Indemnity on the
Grounds That Explosives Were
No Under Her Omcial
Control.

Washington, Feb. 2S.-A Washington
correspondent to the st. Louis Repub-
lie says: / am in a position to state
that Consul General Lee, in commune
cations to the state department has
expressed the opinion, based on the re-
suits which have thus far come to the
surface, that the disaster to the Maine
was not the result of an accident.
This, of course, Is not the final con-
clusion of the court Of inquiry. But
1t is Consul General Lees opinion,
founded on all that he has been able
to learn regarding the accident and
The circumstances surrounding it.
There now is no doubt that Spain
will be held responsible for the terri.
hle calamity if the generally accepted
theory of the disaster shall be con
tirmed by the court of inquiry. The
degree OF PREPARATION demanded will
depend upon such facts as can be es-
ta~blished, showing whether or not the
explosion was due to a mine or tor
pedo in the possession and control of
the Spanish military authorities.
AZ this time it may be said that the
president does not anticipate any dis
covery which will put the settlement of
the question beyond the pale of diplo-
macy. What may arise after apprO-
pirate demands have been made upon
Spain as IA result of the disaster is am
other matter, depending upon the at
titudc of Spain. The president has
never held the position that the govern
lnent of Spain or the immediate repre-
Sentatives of that government in ha-
vana had any direct connection with
the disaster. In that light they cannot
regard il as a hostile act, but il should
OF course, be SO regarded if the Spanish
government should refuse to make the
PREPARATION demanded. The real danger
of the situation is thought to lie in
the negotiations that may be under
taken for "a satisfactory reparation. 1t
is beginning to be seriously doubted if
Spain will ever admit that the catas-
irophe was due to any other cause than
accident on the ship, and if she should,
&c is doubtful whether she would pay
II large indemnity, make the dis
nvowal which would be demanded and
execute the person or persons guilty
IF the destruction of the ship. Nothing
short of $4,000, 900 indemnity would
likely satisfy the authorities if the
question is 60 be settled on an indem-
atty basis. 1t is doubted whether
spain would be willing or able to pay
his indemnity.
In the absence Of prima facia evil
iencc that the explosion occurred from
some implement of war under the con-
.rol Of the Spanish government, which
ihe authorities here all admit may be
very difficult TO furnish, Spain would
De very likely to haggle over the ques-
lion of indemnity and insists upon pos
sible proof before agreeing to pay il.
1t may be accepted as Il foregone con-
elusion that the demand for indemnity
will be made If it is definitely settled
!hat the original explosion took place
outside of the ship, even though the
government may not be able TO prove
hat the torpedo or mine under he con
.rol of the Spanish government caused
t.
If such a demand be made, Spain
would doubtless resist il, and it is
quite probable that the United States
would be compelled TO submit an inn
Derative ultimatum which would leave
Spain the choice of a settlement or
war. The president appreciates that
the temper Of the country is such that
1t will not stand any prolonged delay
in the settlement of the controversy
over the loss of the Maine, and he will
be very prompt TO act when he has the
final conclusion of the court of inquiry
before him.