The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-26

accident should be the one directly be-
meath the Maine. A Spanish authority
has claimed that had q submarine mine
exploded the harbor would have been
strewn with dead fish, which was not
the case. To this ] may say, an inter-
nal explosion OF the force exhibited would
have shocked them nearly as much.
o.
The explosion of a small mine or tor
pcdo against the vessels hui would, OF
itself alone, not cause damage OF the
magnitude actually observed. II would
merely blow big hole In the bottom.
causing the vessel to sink at once, no
doubt, but IL would not have rent the nun
so tremendously as the actual explosion
did. But it might have had cooperation
from the vessels own ammunition which
II might have exploded. In considering
this phase of the matter certain proper
ties of gun cotton, which was the hiEh
explosive used on the Maine. are TO be
remembered. Gun.cotton. when dry.
burns harmlossly in the open air. but
develops great expansive force Whcn
burned in confinement When wet 1t cam
not be ienitcd In ordinary ways anu is
as safe to handle as so much salt goldfish.
Ordinary and even quite severe blows
will not discharge IT. 1t can only be cX-
ploded by detonation Accordingly,
high explosive exploding on contact
with, or close to. the Names wet
gun-cotton would probably explode the
latter and bring about the disaster
Whether or not there was any gun-cot-
ton slowed well down below forward IS
not yet definitely known, so this theory
must be held in allegiance. The explo-
sion of a totLedo could likewise have
exploded one of the magazines; but here
again surmlse comes in. 1t is probable
that If any magazine exploded, II was
not the one containing the l0-inch ammu-
nition for this would have created even
greater damage than that which oc-
CURED.
Tho same reasoning that applies TO the
explosion of a torpedo or small submar-
inc mine may be used in the Considera-
tion of an internal machine, time bomb
or something of tho sort inside the veS-
sci. Unaided by the vessels own am
munition, it could hardly have wrought
the destruction that took place, but, like
a torpedo. it might have exploded either
the Sun-Cotton or a magazine. the spon-
taneous- combustion theory has about as
many objections to it as recommends
tions. Fires have started spontaneously
in coal bunkers very often, but they have
hitherto soon been discovered. If a fire
of this nature should have gained head
way next to the Maine's magazine the
explosion of the latter would have been
likely, Notwithstanding the fact that the
charges of powder in the magazine are
kept in tightly sealed separate metallic
canisters. That such a fire, though, should
have progressed sufficiently, without dis
covcry, to ignite the contents of the mag
azine is difficult of belief. Every coal
bunker has its automatic fire alarm,
which at once gives notification when the
temperature of the bunker has eXceedad
a certain degree. These devices have
proved satisfactory In the service, but
even If one should refuse to act excess
sire heat In the bunker affected would be
communicated to the adjacent compart-
ments the alarms III which would give
the signal when the safety point was
passed Again, the vessel was thorough
ly inspected at p. III. and all was found
secure. The suggestions that short. cir
cutting of electric wires or ignition of
paints and oils caused the disaster are
deserving of little attention; the former
because there are no wires within the
magazines; the latter, because the paints
and oils are remote from the magazines
and their ignition could be quickly discov-
cred Regarded al this distance and with
the aid of the limited information at
present available, the indications point
to the discharge Of a submarine mine as
the most likely cause of the explosion.
This could have been brought about by
accident or design.
The consequences of the disaster now
confront us. If the investigator of the
board of United States officers decides
that the calamity was due to accidental
internal causes, its next step will be to
fix the blame. If it cannot be attributed
to the incompetence or negligence of
anyone in the navy, such will he reported
and the only consequences will be the
adoption of steps TO prevent its recur-
renee. If anyone is blamable, a court
martial will at once ensue. In either
case, Spain will be eliminated from the
question. If, however. it he found that
the Maine was blown up. either Internal
ly or externally, by design, the aspect of
the case will be exceedingly grave. The
results will depend largely upon the dis
covery of the author or authors OF the
act.
If the explosion should be traced to the
Spanish government, war--fierce and i'm
mediate-is inevitable. IF it should be
shown that the deed was the act of an
individual or few individuals, the
Spanish government could not be held
strictly accountable unless il were proved
that it countenanCed the act or did not
take reasonable measures to prevent it.
1t is to he noted that there is danger
here. for, unless Spain promptly pun
mere disavowal and expressions of regret
or apology would not satisfy the United
| States. If it be proved that the eXplo-
sion was due to design the first act of
the United States government would he
to discover the perpetrators. If this were
| impossible there would still be grounds
| for demand upon Spain to show how
| such thing could be possible, as the
| Maine, on a friendly visit III a Spanish
port, was dependent upon the protection
| of her host. Spain would have to show
| that the disaster was not due TO any lack
| Of vigilance OF other shortcomings on her
| part. and unless she did so an ample
| apology and ample indemnity could
| rightly be demanded of her. Her refusal
| to grant these and to punish the Of
| tenders. If located, would be a casus belli
/ Here Is an important point. Suppose that
| il was q submarine mine that exploded
ana suppose that Spain proved that the
| explosion was due to an accident or tC
| the carelessness or crime of an irrespon-
| sible person. Spain would still have to
| explain why the Maine was guided to a
| mOOring buoy which placed her over