The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-02

Tie main interest of the day in con-
nection with the Maine inquiry center
ed in statement by Secretary Long,
following the Cabinet meeting, thut in
his personal opinion any official parti-
cipa lion by the Spanish Government in
the blowing up Of the Maine was now
practically eliminated from the stua-
ton. This statement was not of for
NAL or official character and was made
by Mr.. Long, as he walked away from
the White House. AS usual, the
various Cabinet officers were besieged
with inquiries as to the questions be-
fore the meeting, and in response to
those opportunities the Secretary
rather casually summed up the situa-
tion in few words, stating that most
OF the time had been given to the out
RACES of colorcd postmasters in the
South
Naturally the Cuban situation has
been gone over, he said, but there
were no actual developments, and he
felt that public excitement over the
situation had materially abated. Then
he added the statement, in the same
passing way, that any participation by
the Spanish Government in the blow
eliminated. in his Judgment. This last
remark was speedily given wide circu-
lation apart from the quicting refer
enccs which had accompanied It, 1t
Immediately started much comment
and discussion, and when Mr.. Long
returned to the Navy Department.
after lunch. he found that what he had
intended to convey was being given
the force of an official declaration that
Spain's responsibility for the disaster
had been eliminated In order to
make clear his meaning, a s a personal
expression of opinion, Mr.. Long die
tated the following statement
''The main thing we talked about in
Cabinet was the outrages on the post
masters. one n white nun in Georgia
and one Il colored man in South Caro-
lima.
"In regard 10 the Cuban situation ]
said I thought things were growing
queter every day, and as far as my
Judgment went ! was inclined to think
that any official participation on the
part of the Spanish government in the
disaster was now practically eliminat-
cd"
The foregoing conveyed all that Mr
Long desired to say on the subject, and
this much was given only to Offset en-
largcd versions of what he had said.
Persons occupying the closest relations
with the Secretary said that the opin-
ron expressed was such as any one might
give with the facts now at hand. 1t
was not in any sense, it was explained
conclusion drawn from new evidence,
not made public, either from the court
of inquiry, or any officer now concerned
in the inquiry. Neither facts nor init
nations have come from such sources
II is said at the department, which
would serve as the basis for an opinion
The official declaration OF Senor duBosc
the Spanish charge d'affaires, that no
mines or submarine dcfenses exist in
the harhor of Havana. had come to the
attention OF Secretary Long, and this
statement from the authorized repre-
sentative of the Spanish government
was felt to have been given its due
weight In the opinion expressed by the
Secretary. 1t was pointed out by per-
| sons bearing close relations to the sec
retary that language used was "ofIicial
participation" on the part OF the Span
ish government. This. it was said. had
no bearing on the question Of Spain's
Responsibility. The "Ofiicial participa-
ton of Spain was one thing; while the
responsibility OF Spain, in case the dis
astFr proved 10 be of external origin,
was quite another thing. The sccre-
taEy statement was restricted, 1t was
explained to eXculpating Spain from di-
rect, Official knowledge and participa ton
in the affair. In case it was shown that
The act was due to some fanatic or pcr-
son unconnected with the government,
then the question OF Spa:n's responsihiji
ty would he still open. Mr.. Hong was
much surprised that so much attention
had been given TO his passing al,usion.
Aside from this incident the day
brought forth few developments Of i'm
pOrtance relaxing 10 the Mainn No al.
patches of any character fl,.m Eoy
West where the court of inquiry IS SIT
ting, were given out during the day.
and as the rule OF publicity is s.iu in
force, presumably nothing came from
that quarter. The vessel movements an
nounced during the day were devoid OF
significance.