The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-02-25
SPANS RESPONSIBILITY DIS
DISCUSSED.

~ LIZ government OF Spain IN case the
Maine explosion was due TO a min
in the harbor Of Havana and was the
work Of a fanatic, or an accident, has
become a subject Of discussion among
the lawyers. international Law Is a
matter largely Of precedent and a mine
explosion in a fortified harbor in time
OF peace has no precedent. All unite
in saying that if such an event was by
design it would be the cause for war.
No less an authority than Robert T.
Lincoln, secretary OF war under Pres
idents Garfield and Arthur and former
minister to England, is positive that
in case Of accident, or IL the mine was
exploded by a Spanish fanatic, Spain
would not be burdened with any legal
responsibility. Mr.. Lincoln said:
In neither case would the slightest
liability attach 10 Spain. Assuming a
mine exploded by a fanatic or accident,
that would be the end OF the affair.
Giving international law the widest
latitude and stretching precedents to
their limit, there would be no liability
against the government of Spain. 1t is
an elementary principle of
al law that a government is in no way
responsible for the acts of private citi-
| zens. 1t Is another primary principle
that no nation is responsible for acct
dents. AS to the right of a nation to
fortify its harbor as ii sees fit, there
cannot be the slightest doubt. When
ever a vessel, therefore. enters the
harbor of a foreign power, it is with
notice of such defences and with an
assumption of the chances they in
! vOlve."
THE vISCAYA'S STAY TO BE
SHORT.
Washington, February 21.-The So
cial courtesies which the government
intended to extend to the officers of
the Vizcaya have been abandoned on
account of the Maine catastrophe. AS
a result the stay of the Vizcaya at
New York probably will be materially
shortened and she is likely to sail with
in the next three days, probably on
Thursday next. The ship undoubtedly
will proceed direct to Havana, not
| stopping at Charleston or other ports,
as has been suggested during the earl
Ter preparations. The ViZcaya will
not coal at New York, according to
the understanding here, nor will it be
necessary for her to take coal before
reaching Havana. This determination
gives relief to the authorities here, as
the taking on of coal in time of public
excitement is attended with more or
less risk, the coal affOrding an oppor-
tunity to extremists for the secretion
of explosives, despite the utmost pre-
tld lhoy TX ohSA
SPANISH NAVAL OFFICERS
ASHORE.
New York, February 21.-Captain
Eulat and four of his officers were
brought to the city today from the
Spanish cruiser Vizcaya by Lieutenant
J.. A. Dougherty, u. S. N, on the gov-
eminent tug Narkeeta, and escorted to
the navy-yard. A large crowd was
outside the Spanish consulate where
the first party stopped, but there was
no demonstration of any kind. AT the
navy-yard Captain Eulate paid his
respects to Admiral Bunce. the COM
mandant, and was received with the
usual honors. Captain Eulate spoke
at some length in Spanish, addressing
himself officially to the admiral. The
c~onsul-general of Spain translated as
follows:
Captain JULIA said that he has spe-
cial orders from the government of
Spain requesting him to say that he
is here to return the visit made by the
Maine and other ships to the island of
Cuba. The admiral can fancy his sur
prise and great sorrow on reaching
American waters to learn that the
Maine was no more. The captain begs
to express his keen sorrow for the ap-
palling misfortune that has overtaken
the Maine and his keen sympathy with
those who lost relatives and dea ones,
in sympathy for which he has placed
his flags at half-mast and will keep
them there until his departure, save
on Washington's birthday, Captain
Eulate considering himself and his Of
ficers as being in mourning.
onuy vmexplosifiw1h?m aswg Npbhg
Many invitations w been extended
to him, he says, and his officers, two
entertainments having been arranged
especially for their pleasure, one 10y
the Circulo-Cervantes Colon, a society
representing the Spanish colony in
New York, and a dinner by the con- |
~sul-general Of Spain. But none will
be accepted. SO solemn an occasion
does not admit of any festivity.
Captain Eulate, OF leaving the navy
yard, visited Governors island and
paid his aspects to General Merritt, |
U. S. A. Afterward the party drove |
quickly to the city hall, where a call
was made upon Mapor Van Wick.
Both on the arrival and departure Of |
Captain Eulate a company Of marines |
presented arms. |
AT WORK ON THE MAINE.
Havana, February 21-Consul General
Lee says the Spanish officials are not
interfering with the Investigation into ]
the causes of the disaster. He has no |
titled the captain of the port that the |
wrecking tug Right Arm will be here
tomorrow from the Merritt and Chap |
man Derrick and Wrecking Companies.
No objection will be made to the pres
ence of the tug or her prospective
work. She will probably make an
early attempt to save the big guns,
and if possible the more valuable parts
OF the Names machinery.
Today the divers found a copper
cylinder used in conveying charges
to the 6-inch guns. The fact that it
had exploded seems to show that there
was an explosion in the magazine for
fixed ammunition in the magazine for
ward. This afternoon the court Of in
quiry personally inspected the wreck Of
the Maine. BY their invitation Captain
Peral, appointed by the Spanish gov
as a special judge to investi-
gate the disaster and his secretary, |
viewed the divers at work. Captain
Peral expressed his appreciation Of the
shown to him by the court
of inquiry.
a l@ls4r r-1-a -o1x-o-n1 L