The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-25
MAY DEMAND INDEMNITY.
Washington Officials Reported to
Have Abandoned Accident Theorv

Have Abandoned Accident Theory.
81. LOUIS, Feb. 24.-Tle Washington
correspondent Of the Globe Democrat saws
reports received at the Navy Department
indicate the battle ship Maine was blown
up by a torpedo, and that the officials are
already discussing the amount of indemnity
to be demanded from Spain, and the posi-
blhties of war if the indemnity is not
promptly paid. The correspondent SAYS: "A
torpedo, towed by .. long line behind a small
boat, was drawn against the bow of the
Maine on the port side and exploded 1t
struck near the forward magazine and
caused a partial explosion of its contents.
completing the wreck of the forward part
CT the ship. This is part evidence, part
theory. 1t is Sigsbee's knowledge and be-
lief The President has received the infor-
nation. He no longer entertains the opin-
ion he did in the beginning, that the de-
structon was an accident. The board of
inquiry is directing it's investigation to the
development of what is now considered the
explanation of the explosion--a towed tor
pedo and a double explosion, first without
and then within the Maine
There need be no fears as to the charac-
ter of the action the President will take. If
the board is able to complete the evidence
of this cause of the disaster there will be
neither hesitation nor leniency shown by
the President in dealing with Spain. There
may be no war, but if there is not it will be
because Spain does all that is demanded of
her in the way of reparation.
Marked waning of the theory of accident
is the development regarding the Maine.
To-day brought the dispatch bag from Ha-
vana. The Enclosures were of Saturdays
date. Important and confidential commune
cations between Washington, Key West
an0 Havana are not now trusted to the
wires. They go and come by mail under
the seal of government official business.
State and to the Navy Department infor-
nation and opinions about the destruction
of the Maine which could not be cabled.
When the departments closed this after
noon it was known that the information re-
ceived was of grave character.
1.-THE investigation has not progressed to
the point of justifying definite conclusions.
1t has, however brought out enough to af-
ford the basis of strong presumption of foul
play Almost no talk of the accident theory
is heard now At the White House and at
the departments there are no longer eX-
pressions of belief that the explosion was
an accident. The situation is grave. but
nothing can be done until we have the re-
port of the board of inquiry. That Is the
eff it was not an accident the officials
begin their speculations as to what rs TO
dent etc. The gossip of the corridors ana
the unofficial talk now proceeds upon the
expectation that the investigation VIII
fasten responsibility on Spain. If not that,
then it is believed that the report will be
indefinite as to conclusions. No one in au-
thority any longer looks for a fndlng OF
accident The information forwarded goes
to show that the inquiry has passed beyond
that point The finding will be design or
mystery, with the probabilities pointing TO
a conclusion that a crime was committed.
Tn he infOrma
Havana and Key West. BlancO and the
principal officers of the Spanish government
in Cuba are acquitted of personal knOWl-
edge of the plot that destroyed the Maine
That there was a plot and that the eXecu-
ton of it blew up the Maine are believed
by Consul General Lee, Captain Sigsbee and
all Of the officers of the ship. Blanco is
absolved from personal completely All OF
his subordnates are not. The conSplratofs
are believed to have been followers of Wey-
Ter. who had access to the material ana
who had such control of the conditions as
made it possible for them to carry out the
$50 well satisfied are the officials of the
government this will be the result of the in
quiry that discussion of what IS 10 come
accepts it as the basis High ofncefS or the
departments have been giving attention TO
the step to be taken when the board shall
lay upon Spain the responsibility for the
less OF the Maine. If 1t could be SHOWN tnaL
the Spanish authority on the island was
privy to the plot the action of this govern
ment would be a declaration of war. The
But such a result is rot looked for If IT
shall appear in the report, as is expected,
that subjects of Spain conspired and de-
stroyed the Maine, then the course will be
to treat Spain as responsible for the acts of
her subjects and demand an indemnity. The
smallest amount spoken of as likely to be-
ramed is $100G00O0 OF this $5000000 is con-
sdered the amount Spain should pay TO
the United States and $3,O00.0O0 the amount
to be distributed among the families or
those who were on board From $lO,OOO,OOO
the estimates run higher.
THE demand for this indemnity will be
peremptory if the report shall show clearly
the responsibility of Spain. 1t will give IA
brief limit of time, probably not more than
forty-eight hours. Opinions differ as to
what Spainis reply will be. One is that the
creditors of that bankrupt power will come
to the rescue. and that the indemnity viii
be paid Others are that the Spanish pride
will be invoked, that responsibility Will be
denied. and that the conflict will come.
mo doubt is entertained that il this crisis
should be reached the Atlantic squadron
will move across from Key West and take
possession of Havana harbor with or with
out battle. This is not wild or idle spec
ulation Ii is %he sober, calm talk of the
officials of the government to-day. 1t is the
programme toward the execution of which
all plans are being directed. The assembling
of the fleet goes on.