The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-03-02

lDe ferQlcG IS ASaiEsG oPaih
NTsjority Think Ship Was Des-'
troyed by Exterior Explosion, but
Conservative in Planning Our Ac-
tion.
Columbia State.
Washington, Feb. II I today
asked the South Carolina representa-
tives in congress to give their con-
stituents their views on the Cuban
question.
Senator TiIlman is out cf tho city.
Senator McLaulin said: Tie best
opinion | can form from reading the
newspaper is that the blowing up OF
the Maine is not due to an accident.
There seems to have been threats
made in Habana that the Maine
would be destroyed if allowed to
anchor, and Capt. Sigsbee has wired
the navy department not to send
another vessel there for fear it also
would be destroyed. l don't think
the administration will hold out
much longer against public opinion
in the Cuban matter-a crisis is at
hand. Ii the official report shows
that the Maine was blown up by
a government mine our government
will have to act. I believe Spain
or a certain party in Spain--wants
war with the United States. Each
country seems to be waiting to have
the chip knocked off its shoulder.
Representative Talbert said that
be didn't care to express an opinion
as to the cause Of the destruction OF
the Maine until the facts are made
known by the board of ipQairy.
But be said, "if Spanish treacbery
is shown to be the cause don't see
that there is anything for US to do
but to give Spain a licking. I am
now and have long been in favor Of
recognizing the independence OF
Cuban.
Mr.. Stokes said: The weight Of
undisputed evidence in hand points
to the disaster from external explo-
sion-most probably a submarine
mine. The Spanish authorities knew
the location of the mines and the
Maine was assigned to her place by
the authorities and this makes out a
strong primafacie case Of deliberate
treachery, in my judgment. Should
such prove to be the case the very
least that could be demanded would
be full compensation for the ship
and reparation as far as possible for
the lives Of the crew. We might be
justified in view OF other circum-
stances in declaring war.
DR.. Strait thinks that the catastro.
phe was the result CT treachery, per
haps on the part of some Spanish
followers of Weyler. Ii this be the
case we would have to demand in-
demnity for men and property and if
this isrefused we would have grounds
for fight.
Congressman Wilson said: Con-
grcss is awaiting the action OF the
administration, as the Republican
leaders have adopted the policy of
letting the administration pursue its
own course. Ii the Cuban matter
could be once gotten before congress
there would be speedy recognition Of
belligerency becausethere are enough
Republicans to join the Democrats
in the house to carry such resolu,
ton. Speaker Reed will not give
the house an opportunity to vote. So
the matter is solely in the hands CT
Mckinley. Since the destruction Il
the Maine there bas been tremendous
pressure brought to bear upon the
President. That, taken in conrec-
ton with the DeLo,ne incident and
the admitted failure Of autonomy, is
likely to result in the President sub
hitting a message Immediately after
the report Of the Maine investigating
committee Indicating that he will
pursue the course Of intervention
which in is his last annual message he
suggested might become necessary.
That intervention will mean one Ct
two things; either tie recognition OF
belligerency, which will speedily re-
suit in Cuban independence, or the
purchase of her independence by
Cuba from Spain at something like
100000, 900, with the United States
experimenting the collection OF
Cuban import revenues and thereby
securing the payment Of the purchase
money. 1 do not think President
Mckinley will so to extent OF letting
congress adjourn without taking
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