Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-02-26
REMAINS FIRM.
Administration Still Unprepared
to Accept Unofficial Reports.
SOME SIGNIFICANT NEWS.
Large Orders of Coal by Navy
Department for South
ern Ports.
SOME SIGNIFICANT NEWS.
r Strengthening Defenses Near New York
Outside Explosion Theory Reiterated
Historic Precedents to Guide Ad-
ministratlon if Court of Inquiry
Rejects Accident Idea.

stories that come from unofficial sources
in Havana, as to sensational develop
ments in connection with the work of
the divers in the Names hull, the ad-
ministration remains firm in it's state
ment that there is no credible evidence
one way or the other as to the cause of
the disaster; and holds to it's purpose to
await the conclusion of the investiga-
ton now making by the court of in
quiry. This position was emphasized at
today's cabinet meeting. People who
looked for some startling announce
ment were disappointed, as the members
without reservation frankly admitted
that the subject of the loss of the Maine
had been discussed, but said that the
government had received no informa-
tion from Havana since yesterday, and
had no intention of changing its policy
until there was something of substance
10 warrant it. The Spanish legation was
equally in the dark as TO any of the dis
coveries reported from sources chat are
not cited, as was shown by a message
from Capt. Gen. Blanco.
Secretary Long has been under a
heavy and almost constant strain ever
since he was awakened in the middle of
the night a week ago last Tuesday by
the news of the loss of the Maine; and
now that matters are, at least for the
time being, in a quieter state, he has
Withdrawn from the navy department
and gone away for few days rest,
leaving Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
10 manage the department. The latter
has been thoroughly advised at every
step of the secretary's policy of treat
ment of the Maine affair, so that there
is not likely to be any change in that
respect caused by the temporary as
sumption of the duties of secretary by
Mr. Roosevelt.
Just before the department closed he
had word of the sailing of the cruiser
Montgomery from Tampa for Key West.
Up to that time, the vessel had been
given no orders, so that the date of her
departure for Havana, if she is to go at
q u, Is conjectural. The Castine the sec
ond of the United States warships on
the south Atlantic station, arrived today
at Barbados, where she Joined the Gin
cinnati 1t may be that the Castine will
go to Martinique to be docked, as she
is iqi need OF cleaning after her tropical
service.
Since so much depends upon the re-
port of the court of inquiry, it may be
interesting to note that so far Secretary
Long himself does not know when to eX-
pect this important document, having
up to this time heard nothing from any
of the members on this point. He rather
expected that the court, which mas COM
plete power to work on its own lines,
would wind up its work at Havana be-
fore leaving, so as to avoid the necessi-
ty of a return trip. One member of the
cabinet had a more definite opinion on
the subject, expecting the receipt of the
report from the court about the middle
of next week. There is reason to believe
that, meantime, and to prepare for the
reception of a report that would show
the disaster to be other than the result
of an accident, some of the officials of
the administration have been looking up
the subject of indemnities, so as to lay
the foundation of a case, in the event
it should be decided to resort to that
method of settlement.
There are a large number of prece-
dents which will aid the authorities in
shaping their action in this decision
when the facts are fully established
While none of the cases show the fear
full loss of life sustained by the Maine
explosion, yet they include many
Instances IN which the United States has
adopted energetic measures to redress
the killing of American citizens in for
eign countries. In a general way these
mands for indemnity, proclamations eX-
: cluding the warships Of the offending
nation from our harbors, display of
force. non-intercourse, withdrawal of our
minister, reprsaa and blockade. Some
Of these steps border very closely on
war. although they are regarded as the
movements Just preliminary to actual
hostilities, and as amounting to a
threat that force will follow if repara-
fion. Is not made. The case of the Water
witch is considered to be the most anal
agous to that of the Maine, should it be
established that the Maine disaster was
not the result of accident.
The Water Witch was United States
ship engaged in 1855 in surveying the
entrance to a river of Paraguay. With
ouf warning and by orders of President
Tonez of Paraguay troops opened fire
IN the Water Witch. killing the man at
the helm and wounding others Intense
feeling was aroused in the United
States when the facts became known.
The president reported the facts TO
congress, and in his message asked au-
tboTitv to make demonstration of
force which would ensure suitable re-
Congress- authorized him to use such
force as is necessary to secure ample
SenarAtion Accordingly an armed fleet
was hastily assembled. The expedition
inrludP0 ~ aTIneu SHIPS lCdNS SuilSi
o50o sailors and marines 1t made a
formidable showing in South American
rsaters and President Lopez's govern
n,ent was awed into subjection. The
American commissioners and naval Off
ners were received at Ascension with
much honor and every reparation with
IN ne power Of the republic was given.
THIS included an abject apology, a
s sweening disavowal and $4,000 for the
s,,ffsrers from the outrage When the
4 fscts of the expedition We're reported
hto congress. the president stated that
tba d,spatch of this fleet had had a sal
#utsrv influence throughout the world,
snd had convinced foreign nations that
6tbs limited States would protect the lives
~ It's citizens with all the force at it's
command.
The case of the firing on the United
tstates ship Chesapeake by the British
ahip 1 Leopard, is another case affording
AlnY&sedent as to the governments
m6de of action. The Chesapeake was
1toceeding to sea when she was hailed
~ the commander Of the Leopard with
4 demand that British deserters said to
~ in The hold of the Chesapeake be
snrrendered The American commander
refused to comply whereupon the
Leopard first fired shot across the bow