Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-28

ccmbing with torpedoes and submarine
mines perfectly controlled from secret
places on shore, the entire harbor. The
plans were kept very secret and were known
only to him and his intimate subordinates.
The Navy Department must have known of
these deferses. If not Of the plans. The
guarded statements Of ex-Consul General
Williams prove that the State Department
has in its secret archives a report bearing
on the subject. And even physical proof is
not wanting, for some months ago an ex-
plosion occurred in the harbor, and it was
said to be the explosion of torpedo or of
mine with which the authorities were ex-
perfmenting on shore
The Spanish government has reserved
age of Inen-cf-war. The reason is obvious;
1t Is the only way that the Spanish could
forestall any possible hostile act from
ship in the harbor. Every buoy to which
mine to take care of that vessel. The ves-
sci is not allowed to archor for fear of
casual interference with the wires connect
Ing the mines. The Maine was not anchor
ed She was made fast to a numbered
buoy. designated by the harbor master, who
was unquestiCnably instructed by his SUI
periors. The Maine was in the anchorage
reserved for men-of-war, and was in the
clutches of the mines protecting that spot
of the harbor
The Question Who Did 1t:
THE question now which naturally arises
is: Who did it? 1t is as easy to answer
this question as Il is to explain the cause
of the disaster An officer of the Spanish
government, with knowledge of the plans
and with access to the keyboard of connec-
tcns, friend, admirer Instrument ani
aVengcr of Gen. Weyler. Such as he were
the men that Gen. Weyler left behind to
look out for his interests; they knew of his
plans, and mora, they We're inspired by his
hatred OF the United States and of Ameri-
cans; Ihey We're the ones who headed and
leu tne niobs in the riots in Havana, which
protested against autonomy: they wera the
authors of those disturba noes which were
tfe principal reasons for the Names pr;s-
ehce IN havana. They resented, in COM
mon with all Spaniarfs, the coming o. the
hrst American man-of-war; for theta the
ords and threats expressed in the Spanish
press should become realities; they insti-
gated the expressions of antipathy against
the r." officers and men who lande /: they
circulated the threatening haaJbills one
or which vas thrust into Capt Sigsbee's
Names, containing warning Us 20 the safe
~ OF his ship. They had seen that Gen.
Weyler had been punished by withdrawal
az the demand of the United States; that
mis- protest addressed TO the queen. in which
he defended himself and the Spanish army
from the just cr,IIcism of President Nc
hlnley, had been an additional cause of
mortiiicatioh ana disgrace TO their upholder,
Gen. Weyler. Further, few days before
me catastrophe. Capt. Sigsbee had recog-
i,-"-u' W VISITING tHe aulOnOmlc CdDIE1t,
the new regime, hateful to them And
as a elimination thu Dupuy de LONE let
ter, which caused the recall of the Spanish
minister. ard which for moment threat
ened to disturb the peaceful relations be-
tween The Two countries: for all these ccn-
siderations, and when il seemed that Spain
was refusing to apologize, ii was natural
for subordinate of the Spanish army TO
carry out what in his opinion was an act
OF patriotism, as by ii he would diminish
the power of the American navy, thus in
creasing the chances of his own country
and at the same time, as a faithful fol-
lower of Weyler. he was avengiiig the in
suits heaPed upon the national hero and
idol.
Spain's Responsibilities.
= You ask me If Spain is responsible for
such an act? To this l answer that a mas
ter is responsible for the acts cf his SER
wants, and principal of his agents; that
the Maine was enjoying the hospitality Of
friendly harbor. and it was the duty of
the Spanish government to see 10 1t that
no harm would come to the vessel from
agencies known only TO thu government
ana Its subordinates- 1t might not be a
case OF war. for it would be absolutely inn
possible to prove the direct connection Of
the Spanish government with a crime which
would place 1t out of the pale of civiliza-
ton, but 1t is clear case Of reparation and
apology to the flag that has been betrayed,
and of Indemnity, at least, to those brave
souls that have been SO mercilessly murder
ed. What should the United States do?
The conscience of the admins ira ton and
the integrity and patriotism of President
Mckinley will shortly answer this mo
mentous question"