The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-28

md might have settled the question as
b the magazines at least ere this.
! Those who hold these views demand
That the hull forward should be raised
without further loss of time and before
it has sunk too deep in forty feet of
soft mud There are some who go so
far as to charge the United States gov
eminent with adopting the Spanish pol
icy of delay until the disaster shall be
partially forgotten or discounted.
Many of the Spanish officers are said
to entertain the opinion that this is the
case and to be very well pleased with
the notion. Good judges urge that
there is no use trying to raise the hull
until the Wreckage of armOr, SUPER
structure, engines, docks, guns and
masts have been taken out. To do this
will take time, and the apparatus for
the work can only be found in the
north. 1t is said no company IN the
world ever took a contract for such a
work where the blowing up of the
wreck by dynamite was prohibited lest
important evidence be destroyed.
But even the most moderate strongly
deprecates any more delay than is alb
sOlutely necessary, while all agree that
the American people are not likely
that or the other discovery, setting on
foot this, that or the other theory, are
still rife. In most cases, when run down,
they are easily proved false. It is
useless to deny that the interest here
is much less intense than it was a week
ago, but it is ever ready to be kindled
anew by any established facts.
The court of inquiry is as quiet as the
statue of Memnon, as dignified and as
stern. Its members are courteous, but
they feel the deep responsibility resting
upon them. To talk indiscreetly might
not only cost a commission, no matter
how high the rank of the holder, but
would surely precipitate trouble either
here or in the United States. They were
not exclusive when on shore and they
dined with Consul General Lee now and
again, but the wreck was always a pro-
hibited subject.
If memory did not give a tinge of
tragedy, Havana's habor would appear
commonplace enough today Sail
boats, tugs and launches ply to and fro
all day. Steamers, large and small, ar
rive and depart, and the hustle of a
busy and not specially picturesque har-
Dor comes and goes in the usual fash
ion. In yOnder mass of steel, which
seems to have Writhed in pain, lies all
that is mortal of more than so brave
men.
1t is generally expected that the court
of inquiry will return here after taking
testimony at Key West, and it is likely
that efforts will be made by agents dur
ing the courts absence to secure other
testimony.
The arrival of a battalion of more
than 1000 regular troops from BARGE
Iona, excited public interest only for the
day. Guns were fired, "vivas" shouted,
and decorations, which the rain spoiled,
hung, but that was all there was of it.
These men, so 1t IS alleged, are the ad
vance guard of a division OF 200
Spanish regulars, sent to take the place
of the sick and wounded who have re-
turned to Spain within the last few
months.
The Spaniards know that Senator
| Proctor is a close friend of President
| Mckinley and, despite his disclaimer of
| a political mission, they continue to at
| tach considerable Importance to his Wis
/ it at this juncture. Some think that he
| has been sent here by the president to
make a report on the situation, as Mr..
| Blount was sent to Hawaii by Presi-
/ dent Cleveland. The Spanish, who, in
| the main, are ignorant of American
/ customs and political methods, cannot
understand why a former secretary OF
/ war should come to Havana, and there
| are many expressions of surprise that
| Senator Proctor is not in uniform in
| stead of in civilian dress.