Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28
Effect Of Maine Report Already Dis
counted in Havana.
THE TROUBLE MAY COME LATER ON
An Intimation of Intervention Would
Bring It About.
VIEWS OF EUROPEAN AGENTS
Copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper.]


Special Cablegram From STAFF Correspondent
HAVANA, March &c. via Port Tampa,
Fla, March 27.-Havana Is prepared for
the naval boards report on the Maine dis
aster. The public has known for two weeks
that this court would declare the explosion
was external. 1t has also been known that
the Spanish government had no confidence
in the report to be made by the Spanish
court upholding the theory Of accident or
that it would command the belief of other
nations.
One reason was the knowledge that other
divers had made no such thorough investi-
cation as had been made by the Maine
divers. Possibly another reason was the
conviction that what the Spanish divers
Gid learn was not what they were wanted
to learn.
That the plan of the Sagasta ministry
was to keep the subject open was well I'M
derstood when the first suggestion of arbi-
tration was thrown out. Whatever is said
or done in Washington in regard to the
Maine is not likely to take this community
by surprise.
There Is no more likelihood of an imme-
date outbreak because Of the Maine report
than there has been during the last three
months from other causes. The volcano is
here. but it is still slumbering
News Will Come PfecemeaI.
The probability is that the authorities
will permit the full history of what hap
pens in the United States to be published
only In instailments. 1t may be several
days before the public hears all the facts;
this Is especially likely to be the case If
President McKinleys message is at all
aggressive and If radical action by Con-
gress is foreshadowed
capt Gen. Blanco has every advantage,
therefore, toward preventing an uprising
The Spanish classes believe war with the
United States is probable and they are
preparing for it. In the ardor of their
patriotism and loyalty they are too intent
on being ready to make 1t likely they will
break spasmodically. It is true that the
attacks on Consul General Lee and the
American consuls throughout the island
nave been renewed and the newspapers
have teen daily melting feeling against
the American correspondents for sending
news Of the developments which showed
that the Maine was blown up. Neverthe-
less this campaign Of patriotism has been
directed to definite end and premature
showing of it might defeat the purpose.
The government officials have had since
thursday night their otGers from Madrid to
prepare the army and navy and the civil
powers for war with the United States. In
the intensity of loyalty the Spanish classes
trust the authorities implicitly. They may
restrain themselves from INDUCING in anti
American demonstrations until the signal
is given. This applies alike to the army,
to the volunteers and to the popuIace.
What they will do If a reversal of policy
should come from Madrid and concessions
be made which are hateful to them need
not be guessed at until the change of front
| is made in Spain.
Maine Incident Is Separated.
The Maine incident is treated as entire
ly separate and distinct from the general
situation. This will be pleasing to the
Spanish authorities. If it is treated as a
part Of the general Decentralization which
exists, and which shows that there is
practically no such thing as sovereignty
| in Cuba today, the irritation will be very
| great. Nevertheless they will be able to
| stand this and even more.
| Some hints have been given them that
recognition of Cuban independence is under
consideration. The certainty that this
was coming might set them wild. But
| the Sagasta ministry would be looked to
| for direction. All realize that the day for
the recognition of belligerency has passed.
Should the policy decided on in Wash
| ingtou be a final offer of mediation between
Spain and the insurgents before acknowl-
edginS independence some members Of the
autonomist government would welcome
| 1t, but they would be the few Cubans
who were drawn into q political move
| ment that has failed and who want to be
| relieved of their burden. The dominating
government class. which is Spanish, would
find little choice between Intervention
based on the terms for arranging indepen-
dence and the recognition of indepen-
dence itself. The latter might enable them
TO keep up the friction that the Spanish
arms in Cuba are doing some fighting
against the insurgents. 1t will also satisfy
their desire to yield Cuba with honor"
Intervention Not Considered.
Direct armed Intervention by the United
States has apparently not been considered
| probable Neither the government nor it's
| supporters are ready for that.
Representatives of European CONNER
cial houses in Havana are watching ex-
pected developments in Washington keenIy.
| In some respects their opportunities for
forming opinions better than those of
| the Americans Their judgment is abso-
| lutely cold blooded.
Said one of them to me:
| 1OuT QcOplt IIeSu NOT look Tor an I'M
| mediate outburst here. but they will make
a grave mistake If they assume that these
| crazy Spaniaids are not likely to fight
| perhaps just when everything seems most
| peaceful. Their hope of putting down the
| insurrection is gone and they may do some
| wild things while they are trying to let
go.
THE United States must settle this
Cuban question, for 1t will never settle IT.
self. If your statesmen do NOT begin a
definite settlement soon they will find
| 1t harder to settle three months from now
| It is not our affair, yet we are all praying
| that you will be speedy about it,
I have heard the came views from others
in almost the same words with scarcely
| an exception. This is the kind of informa-
ton that is going from Havana to the
/ banking and commercial houses in London,
Berlin and Paris. Possibly 1t Is having