The herald., 1898-03-22
IHf SPANISH INQUIRY
FALLS TO PIECES BEFORE IT Is
COMPLETED
.f :.
THE DIVERS DID LITTLE WORK
Spain Hopes to Make a Case to Be
Passed Upon by an Arbitration
Board
Associated Press Special wire

Associated Press Special Wire
NEW YORK. March 21.-A special to
the Tribune from Havana says: The
Spanish inquiry into the Maine disas-
ter has gone to pieces in seeking to es-
tablish the accident theory. This admis-
sion is privately made in government
circles. The nature of the boards re-
port will not be changed. The explosion
will be charged to unknown causes. but
the Spanish finding will be with view
of making case to be passed on by a
third party. The work Of their divers
has not been thorough. Apparently
they have found SO little evidence on
which theory Of internal explosion can
be based that the Spanish court Is not
willing to stand unequivocally on the
theory Of accident, which 1t set out to
maintain. These facts have been known
for three or four days.
They may account for statements
from Madrid that the Maine incident
Will not be cause of war between the
two countries and also for hints at ar
bitrating the disputes on the question of
fact. This talk is semi-ofiicial. The
Spanish authorities realize the improb-
ability of successfully controverting the
case, which will be presented when the
report OF Capt. Sampson, and his asso-
ciates on the Maine Board Of Inquiry is
published. They have had an inkling
that the evidence on which the external
explosion was due to foul play will be
charged Is meant to satisfy, not simply
the American people, but the judg-
ment of experts throughout the world.
How strongly this conclusion of the
American board is fortified will soon be
known. The cue received from Madrid is
to have q counter case ready, so that
suspension of the worlds judgment can
be asked until diplomacy can arSange
for the satisfactory settlement The evi-
dent hope Of Blanco's government is to
keep the Maine incident entirely distinct
from other Cuban questions. Notwith-
standing this lack Of confidence in their
own theory of accident, II cannot be
learned that the authorities are doing
anything to uncover the conspirators
who are responsible for blowing up the
Maine. More Importance Is given to the
final report of the radical autonomists
to negotiate with Gomez and the insurg-
ent leaders on q new basis than it's GER
tain outcome warrants.
The, chief interest Is in the knowledge
that the negotiations are, in fact, Blan-
co.'s, and that IL they are entertained in
any form they will be clothed with a
full official character
A few officials profess confidence that
Gomez and the other insurgent leaders
will at least permit the propositions to
be made and will then dictate their own
terms Under which Spain's flag may re-
main. No ground whatever exists for
this delusion. Gomez has already given
an indication of his answer.
The insurgents will treat with Blanco's
representative only on the basis of in
dependence. With that understanding
they will agree to an armistice while
the good offices OF the United States are
employed in arranging an indemnity
and other details under which Spain
might be willing to withdraw her troops
and abandon the island. "The govern
ment Is cropping in circle" !" is the phrase
applied to the final effort to make terms
with the insurgents. It does not 60 fast
enough to travel. Probably the best
thing for all parties is to have the fail
ure Of the attempted negotiations with
Gomez made known promptly and en-
phatically. If there were faint prospect
Of success. this could only come through
double dealings.
The fifteen propositions of Giberga and
Gown are still the basis of all offers
made to the insurgents. Among these
Is included the disarming Of the volun-
teers. This organization holds the writ
ten assurance Of Gen. Parade, author
ized by Captain General Blanco, that no
such idea will be entertained. The Sa-
gasta ministry in Madrid indorsed tha
statement. The volunteers are petted.
They are now taking part in the regular
maneuvers Of the army as we'll as in
the artillery practice They could not
be disarmed without revolution, and the
attempt will never be made. Neverthe-
less, the insurgents have been asked to
accept scheme of enlarged autonomy,
OF which the disarming of the volunteers
Is part OF the program. They will not
be fooled, nor will the volunteers be
fooled. The deception was meant to be
practiced on the United States in seek
ing to make it party to the negotia-
tions, and in measure responsible for
their failure. That was the policy Of
the palace in Havana. 1t would hardly
have been made here had 1t not been ac-
ceptable in Madrid.
The Autonomist cabinet, or the radi-
cal members Of 1t, will not be left entire-
ly alone to serve as scapegoats. Gen.
Salano, chief of the general staff, while
not indorsing all the articles in the pro-
gram Of final concessions. to the insur-
gents. has approved them In the main.
He favored inviting Gomez to take part
IN the new Cuban government that was
to be formed. with the Spanish flag as
about the only thing left for Spain. A
Few Of the officers Of high rank who are
devoted to the monarchy sympathize
with Salano and would join him in max
Ing the sacrifice which these concessions
would demand. The majority of the
army officers. however, would revolt
against the propositions II there was
chance Of their acceptance by the in
surgents,. just as they revolted In the
January riots against autonomy. That
these insubordinate army officers are
quiet IL the best evidence that the at.
tempt to negotiate on new basis never
had sincere support. Consul General
Lee Is making reports to the State De-
partment on this matter. They are
based on full and authentic informa-
tion. Gen. Lees reports show that the
United States would be powerless to
persuade the insurgents to accept "am-
plified autonomy" Government ono
ials here have been making anxious in
quiries regarding the feeling Of the ad-
ministration on this point and also
whether American public sentiment