Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-26
Our Representation. to Madrid.

The official submission of the Maine re.
port, which was authcritatively summar-
lied in yesterdays Star, brings the cas-. Of
the destruction Of the battle-ship to the
point where developments must occur. II
imposes upon Spain the necessity of an ex-
PLANTATION and on the terms of that ex-
PLANTATION much depends
The character of the report is such the
court finding positively that the Maine was
destroyed by an explosion from without,
that this government had no other course
open to i; than Immediately to make proper
representations to Spain setting forth the
findings. and clearly though in diplomatic
language indicating that this government
awaits an answering representation that
will place Spain in the proper attitude to-
ward the United States. Inasmuch as the
Maine. according to our trustworthy inves-
ugators. was destroyed while in the harbor
of Havana on a peaceful mission by an
agency other than that supplied by the ship
itself, it becomes Spain's duty Immediately
u demonstrate, If possible, that this dis
t.ster was not due in any way to her negli-
gence, carelessness or Indifference. In the
lack of any positive proof of IN official
completely in the explosion Spain can not
be required to exonerate herself as If &c
cused OF such criminal participation. But
she must clear herself of the suspicion that
she did not exercise the diligence in the
protection of the vessel which is required
by the law of nations and specifically by
the existing treaty between the two ma
tons. and she is under obligations to pun
ish the actual wrongdoer and to make due
leparation for the injury.
the Maine was destroyed by what ap-
pears according to the circum5tantial evil
dence to have been a floating mine, of a
kind that Is not ordinarily found save in
the possession of a government d gov
ornamental agency. 1t is a fair surmise,
therefore, that the explosive device that de-
stroyed the ship and killed her crew was in
Havana by reason of official action and
with official knowledge and it becomes
Spain's duty to demonstrate that the pro-
curement of that device by the person or
persons directly responsible Cor the tragedy
was not made possible by any govern
mental laxity. This showing should be as
positive as that which enabled the court of
inquiry to report that the Maine was blown
up by an outside explosion. The burden Of
proof on Spain. indeed, is not lightly to be
shifted 1t has been placed there by the
unmistakable logic of events.
The representation to Spain on this SUBJ
;ect which was sent today will doubtless
-iicit from Madrid a definite declaration
which will demonstrate precisely how
threatening the Maine issue Is to become.
The chances of avoiding a clash with
Spain diminished by the fact that there
are other representations which must be
made by this country, all involving equally
with the Maine matter the possibility of
precipitating a resort to arms. The Presi
dent is to follow up his previous intima-
ton that peace must be secured in Cuba
He Is also to insist that starvation must
be abandoned as characteristic feature
of the Spanish policy in Cuba. that official
relief of the starving by the United States
in all parts of the island must not be pre-
vented, and finally that the cause of the
wholesale starvation must be removed. If
a satisfactory treatment Of the Maine dis
aster and Spanish assent to the other rep
reservations above indicated can be Sc
cured by diplomacy, the credit to be be-
slowed upon the administration will be
vast. But, in view of the difficulties, if
diplomacy should fail, and war by the act
II Spain result, discredit could attach
20 this government, and the nation as one
man would sustain it.