The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-19


the situation when he says that in such
q case lit is best not IN think; IL is best
to know" The destruction Of the Maine
f. such an unparalleled incident that
II puts to the utmost test the calm
Judgment Of the people. Disaster has
overtaken other men-of-war. such as
that which befell the splendid English
battleship Victoria, In the Mediterra-
mean. and the capsizing Of the battle
ship Captain with every soul on board;
bat not Within recent history has bat
tleship representing a friendly nation in
the harbor OF another friendly nation
been destroyed under such circum-
stances that. while it Is possible only an
accident has occurred. the suspicion Will
arise that an enemy was at work.
While il may become necessary as
matter OF political justice to demand
that Spain shall assume all the re-
sponsibility OF the outrage upon this
nation. compared with which indemnity
for the loss is a small matter. it can
we'll be understood that the queen was
affected by emotion at the unfortunate
incident. Nothing could have been
more prejudicial TO the cause OF Spain
than an incident which has aroused
is a suspicion that the work was that
OF an irresponsible bastard Nations
that would have rejoiced were the
United States to be worsted in open
war with Spain are with her at this
time. If Ii were an accident, 1t is such
a wastefui loss and so utterly without
significance that there is only regret
fer the destruction Of a splendid vessel
and sympathy with the officers who
II 1t Is the work OF trsachery. any ma
ton might become the victim. and it is
one of those acts forbidden by the
ethics of civilized warfare.
While the letters OF Elmer Meiistrup
To his family would not ordinarily be
regarded as Of much value. they are
undoubtedly interesting. in view Of the
fact that they were written SO long be
fore an incident which he seems amost
10 have foretold. He was only an ordi-
nary seaman. but in his three letters
are 10 be found such anticipatory sug
gestions as are sometimes called second
sight. and with the possession Of which
sailors are often credited. In one he
says that the whole bottom Of the har-
Dor was covered with torpedoes In an
other ne says 1t Is a wonder some of
the ships don't blow UP, they are so
careless" In the third he said that his
family need not look for any trouble
unless something very unexpected
should happen" The unexpected has
happened, and now the world seeks to
know whether II was due 10 the tor
pedoes or u carelessness.
Il is wise 10 be exceedingly cautious
in expressing opinions. AS Admiral
NtbA4AfEtk ~ Aas - ZIG iCS5 S4kdl Is S&lR
against Spain or the Spanish govern
ment at this time the better It viii be-"
Whatever our suspicious may be. un-
less they can be confirmed by absolute
proof. we are called upon by a sense
Of national dignity TO pretend that we
hold spain absolutely exonerated. at
least, from intentional affront. II
would be very Notifying to be placed
in such a position that we showed re-
sentiment at Spain without being able
20 demand any reparation. II Spain
disclaims all responsibility. and we can
not show either tina, torpedo was dis
charged from without or the explosion
internally caused BY malicious design,
we would not be In a very good posi-
ton TO hold Spain 70 account Alto
gethcr II IS one Of the most pulling
conditions that ever confronted a re-
sponsiblc body Of men