The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-17

was dealt by an enemy and Spain is re-
sponsible for it. This Government is re-
sponsible however in another way. The
Maine was sent there on an alleged
friendly mission. That was as hypo-
critical piece of business as De LONE S
acceptance OF the White House hospitali-
ty and his blackguardism of the Presi-
dent. The Administration lied to use
the language of diplomacy, when 1t said
the Maine was going to Havana on a
friendly mission. That was not its OBJ
ject and every precaution should have
been taken. We have endeavored to
'out-Spaniard' the Spaniard. In following
his tactics and while We have
been bowling and scraping and saying
nice things with our hands on our pis-
tol pocket. he has been doing the same
but, like the true Spaniard. used his still
leto rs ne bowed.
when the Maine went into the harbor
at Havana, | remarked to a few of my
friends that she might never come out.
She went there as | have said. playing
the hypocritical part of a friend. Had
she gone she ought. as an enemy II;
search Of a foe the Maine would have
given a different account of herself and
would not now be at the bottom OF the
sea.
81 want to see the Administration or
der the whole fleet to Havana, and j
want to see the fleet go there on busi-
ness other than that of a friendly visit.
This, however. is not TO be expected for
there seems to be a fear of vexing the
Spaniard. If l had my way we would
use the fleet, and by the aid of trans
ports land 600 men and run the Span
iards off the island. There will never be
peace until Cuba is free from these fell
lows"
IF IL is true as reported" said Sen
ator Bacon, that the Maine was sent to
the bottom by torpedo. war will doubt
less follow. / have believed from the
first that the explosion in the magazine
of the Maine was due to a blow from the
outside. If that be proven there is but
one thing that can follow"
The first official notice of the disaster
was taken in the Senate this morning
when Mr. Allen of Nebraska offered the
following resolution:
Resolved. That the Committee on Naval
Affairs is hereby authorized and directed
to make a thorough and immediate in
quiry into the destruction OF the battle
ship Maine in the harbor of Havana, and
report the same to the Senate.
Mr.. Hale, with his characteristic dill
gence In opposing everything looking to
inquiry that might affect Spain. said he
had NO objection to the resolution being
referred to the Committee on Naval AT
lalrS, but, he added, thdt the executive
branch of the Government was making
an investigation into the matter. and
would send all it's information to Con-
gress.
Il do not want this resolution referred
to the Committee on Naval Affairs. said
Mr. Allen. IL want the Senate to adopt
it, Those of us who are not members of
the Naval Committee or Foreign Rela-
tions cannot obtain any Information
from the State Department. We are as
much excluded as though We Were not
citizens of the United States. | do not
say this in a complaining sense at all.
but as "A citizen | feel that / would like
to know what progress is being made,
and the cause that gave rise 20 the eN-
plosion. ! think | ought to get this res
olution adopted without debate or dis
cusSion.
Mr.. Chandler, a member of the Naval
Committee. and at o;.e time Secretary
of the Navy. for some reason objected
to the consideration Of the resolution.
and under the rule il went over until to-
morrow.