The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-17
THE INTElllGENCER.
WHEELING, ,IAncn II, 1893.


~
An evidence OF the nervous state OF
the Spanish mind Is furnished ~ the
anxiety of government representatives
OF that nation to prejudge the cause OF
+ the; disaster to the Maine. The Spanish
goyernment,set about an official lnvesti-
CATION on It's own hook. with the mani
fest intention OF finding q verdict that
might offset the possible determination
z BY The United States court of Inquiry
\ that the, wreck was due TO an outside
force. While our board has not YET rem
dered Its decision. It Is generally under
stood that 1t will be TO the effec.
that there was an outside agency. al
I though It Is not known that the board
has fixed the responsibility, or found
Z that whatever conspiracy may have cx-
listed was known to the responsible
Z Spanish authorities.
Evidence OF the preconceived Judgment
OF the Spanish government OF the cause
of the disaster, md the anxiety to pre-
iju1sc ahead OF the finding by the Amer
lean court, Is found In the declaration
& OF Captain Pera!. the head of the Span
/: ish commission, that the vessel was
! wrecked by an explosion inside OF the
q ship. This evidence Is emphasized by the
fact,thIt Captain Peral makes the asser-
tien5in advance OF an official declaration
of the Spanish in vestlgation. which is
4 In violation of all rules that should
govern the conduct OF u naval officer at
such q time. The Incident has served to
.:tract attention 10 the contrast OF the
Spanish method with the proper and
honorable reticencc. in accordance with
usage. on the part OF! the board of in
curry OF the United States. which is re-
serving all expressions until the official
report Is In the hands Of the President
( of the United States. the only authority
Z 10; which 1t can make n report, and to
which authority IL will only report when
at has arrived at positive conclusion
cha question fraught with such momen-
tous results.
4 Not one of the members of the Amer
lean court has ever been quoted by the
press, although some alleged publica-
i lions have been made by sensational
a newspapers. onlyito be contradicted by
subsequent events or official denials.
No opinions, even. have been given to
the public by members OF the board. and
80, far all speculations as to what the
Z character OF the report will be have
been based upon the character Of certain
evidence, and the preparations for an
emergency that are being made by the
government.
The contrast between the course OF the
American board in observing the strict
reserve until 1t is ready to base report
g on absolute knowledge and faith In its
character, and that OF the Spanish COM
+ mission in prejudging the case in adj
vance of any official finding. Is so plain,
and the intent OF the Spanish declara-
u tons so apparent, that the effect can
y not be lost on the world that is looking
i, on. 1t has increased public confidence
+ in the. American court, and is exhibiting
to the other powers Of the world the
spirit1oc justice and honorable intent
Y that governs the attitude OF the United
States, and demonstrates the judicial
honor OF the court.
No official body was ever charged
with q duty moro momentous in It's
character. nor was there ever n court
or commission resting under a RESPONSE
Z billty upon which depended so much at
fecting the honor OF country. The
members have realized this from the be-
ginning, and are discharglng their trust
In a manner which Is making 1t a fore-
gone conclusion that the nation will
accept, without question, their decision,
{ whether It Is to the effect that the dis
aster was the result Of Spanish treach-
cry; or that the evidence does not justify
q positive conclusion fixing the blame
I on the Spanish government
So much confidence has this country
In its board Of inquiry that. future ac-:
ton. which will be prompt and vigorous,
WILDE taken unhesltatlnsly. Spanish
prcjudsments have; had no, effect, and
when tho Spanish decision, intended to
offset the American Judgment, is rem
dered, It will be accepted in this coun-
trya by other powers that are, watch
ing for tho decision before expressing
their eympathls for either side, for what
1t Isl worth merely as an offset, and
4 nothing more. Captain Parcels advance
4 assertion will not influence opinion In
the greport OF the American board Of
inquiry, no matter what It may be.
Tint Hawaiian Petition, "a
Thermometer petition presented, al