The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-03-04
WAS A SUBMARINE MINE
Belief GrowingThat the Maine
Disaster Was Design.
PRESIDENT DESIRES A DELAY
Wants Time to Make Necessary Prepar-
ations for War-Con gressmen Discuss
Subject With Much Seriousness.

aGlOnS 1Oc " "ar-COnkreSSmen DISCUSS
Subject With Much Seriousness.
Chicago, March. 1.-The Tribune
has this dispatch from Washington:
1t is a significant fact that within the
last two days there has been a remark
able change of opinion in the navy de-
partment in regard to the explosion of
the Maine. When the first news ar
rived here last week experts at the de-
partment were nearly evenly divided
as between an accident and design.
But today, after studying the later re-
ports, and especially the photographs
sent from Havana, nine out of ten of
the officers at the department express
the belief that the Maine was anchored
over submarine mine. The only
difference of opinion seems to be as to
whether that mine was exploded by
Spanish officers acting under orders Or
by some enthusiast. The latter opin-
ion is generally held, but it is said
that this does not lessen In any great
degree the responsibility of Spain for
the horrible catastrophe. If the Span
ish officers allowed the warship to be
moored to buoy which was attached
to submarine mine they thereby be-
came responsible for the result, whether
the mine was exploded by official Or
ders Or not. The placing of the mine
in an exposed place in a harbor, if it
was done at all, was done by Spanish
officers, and if the mine was exploded
by anybody at all they were directly
responsible.
The Chronicles dispatches of the
same day are even more specific, as fol-
lows: The president is striving to
postpone as long as possible the crisis
which is almost certain to be precipi-
tated by the report of the board of in
quiry commissioned to investigate the
destruction of the battle-ship Maine.
In the inner circles of the admins
tration it is no longer pretended that
the Maine was blown up by accident.
Good authority is given for the as
sertion that Mr.. Mckinley has had in
his possession for three days positive
evidence showing that the Maine was
destroyed by external agencies.
The Spanish authorities are aware
of the fact that the president has this
evidence in his possession, and they
have sent messages which have been
kept from the public, disavowing all
responsibility for the act and offering
to make humble apology, as well as
monetary compensation for the damage
inflicted; and, in short, to do anything
which may be done honorably to pre-
vent war between Spain and the United
States.
The evidence in the presidents hands
fails to disclose the identity of the men
who are responsible for the awful crime.
At least three persons are concerned,
and one of them Is known to be Span
ish officer. 1t is not doubted that all
the guilty parties will be identified and
promptly put to death by the Spanish
officials at Havana.
This information has come to me,
says the correspondent, from reliable
source. l first learned it yesterday,
but at that time could not be sure OF
it's accuracy. Developments during
the last "a hours have convinced me of
it's truth.
President Mckinley desires delay
for two reasons. First, he wants the
present excitement to subdue. Second,
he wants time to prepare for war,
which may be caused at most any day
by act of congress.
1t is hardly necessary to say that the
president will do all he can to avoid
war. While he expects the finding of
the court of inquiry to corroborate the
evidence now in his possession, he still
holds to the belief that Spain's offer to
make full satisfaction will be accepted
by the American people.
The change of sentiment in the de-
partments is plainly evident. The
screws have been loosened and subor-
dinate officials are permitted to talk.
They no longer argue that the Maine
was destroyed by accident.
They say: "Oh. it will not be nec-
essary for us to fight even if it turns
out that the ship was destroyed by de-
sign. Spain will be asked to make
amends, and if she complies in the
right spirit, that ought to satisfy the
people,"
But that kind of talk is not heard at
the capitol. The senators and repre-
sentatives in cloakrooms and corridors
discuss the question with more serious
ness as it becomes more apparent that
they will soon be called upon TO face
grave responsibility. They insist that
if the Maine was blown up by design,
it was due to Spanish treachery and
that blood alone can atone for the
crime. They regard was in such an
event as inevitable.
Lebanon, Mo-, March Yesterday