Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1898-02-25
WATT!

Ex-Preuier Crispi has been inter-
viewed in Rome and says hat he ad.
mires the resignation o. the people
OF the United States with regard 10
the Maine disaster. There Is no res
isnatioh- about it. This country is
simply sensible and patient. 1t is
waiting for the truth to be learned,
and it knows that the only way the
truth a be learned is through such
an official Investigation into the cause
OF the disaster US Is being made. After
that, it VIII do exactly what "A great.
powerful Nation should do under
similar circumstances.
There has been no excuse for all
this -war talk and there Is none
now. Nobody believes that assuming
the hlowing-up Of our ship was not
an accident, Spain rs a Government
Is guilty Of the monstrous crime, the
preparation OF which upon a country
with which she is at peace would at
once put her outside the family OF
civilized Nations. II IT is disclosed
that the deed was that OF a Spanish
subject, this country will make a
heavy demand upon Spain for indrm-
nifty, and the demand will be COM
Piled with. In the event that such d
demand Is disregarded. this country
Will fight. But Spain will not disrc-
gard the demand. aud there will be
no war. IL some unauthorized Amer
ican subject-or American soldier. IL
You Sil-should cause to be explod-
ed a submarine mine undera British
warship anchored III San Francisco
harhor, the result OF which act would
be the loss OF many lives, does any
reasonable mar suppose that Great
Britain would forthwith command
her Atlantic feet to begin the bom-
bardment OF the Eastern coast; cities:
Of course not. She would promptly
demand a heavy iDdemr ity for the
loss OF her ship and men. and we
would make haste 10 pay it. She
would demand that We find and pun
lsb the perpetrator ~ the outrage.
and we would hasten to do so. There
the incident would end, after probab-
~, much official correspondence had
passed In which this country would
formally disclaim any knowledge of
the unfortunate affair aud express
great sorrow at the occurrence.
Every Nation has its Anarchists
and its murderous maniacs and hu.
man devils, and every other Nation
recognizes that fact. Although a
Spanish subject should shoot down
the President of the United States
tomorrow, the deed Of itself would
not be an excuse for war. Nor would
there be ground for wal il tomorrow
nm American subject should slay the
Queen Regent and young Alfonso at
Madrid. In each instance it would
only have TO he shown that the act
had not received the authority or
sanction OF the subjects Government.
and, OF course, it would be followed
by the prompt punishment Of the
criminal.
We can afford to go slow in this
Maine disaster matter without in
volriDg the National honor and pride.
Our national honor and pride. we
might say, would be seriously in
volred did We do aught else but q,
slowly and calmly about the invest.
CATION into the facts. II is apprc-
hended that Captain Sigsber, com.
mander Of the Maine, and the man
responsible for that magnificent shin
and her crew, feels ne keen n
desire as anybody that restitu-
ton shall be made in full measure
for his loss, bnt he maintains. ia
does COnsul.Gencral Lee and every
other level .hendcd official connected
with the incident, that the duty OF
tho American people is to suspend
judgment until it is in possession Of
the facts.
Lot us hear no q about the
Resignation aud "fOrcbearRDce- Of
the American Nation in this matter
until wo know the truth. Then what
will follow will be a test of nur resiy-
nation ind forbcarancc-aud. may bc.
a test OF II patriotism, too.-Bcc.