Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-01
Mr.. LONGS OPINION
No Official Participation by Spain in
Maine Disaster.
STATEMENT At THE CABINET MEETING
Gained a Wide Circulation and
Exaggerated Meaning.
EXPECTS TO GO TO HAVANA

his judgment any official participation by
the Spanish government in the blowing up
o. the Maine was practically eliminated
This statement avowedly made as an
expression OF the Secretary's personal
opinion II gained speedy circulation how
ever, and was elaborated to the point of
being an official declaration that the elem
ment of Spanish responsibility for the
Maine disaster was no lor ger to be consd-
cred When Mr.. Long returned to the
Navy Department he was asked as 10 the
exact ma ture of this statement. He said 1t
mad been rather a casual and passing allu-
sion. more in the line of response 10 some
courteous question from the vigilant rep
resentatives of the press.
He said that he had intended to say that
there was abatement in the agitation
and excitement over the subject. As to
Spanish responsibility. he had said that
any official participation by the Spanish
government in the blowing up of the
Maine was practically eliminated. in my
Judgment"
Mr. Long desired to have II clearly un-
derstocd that this was an expression of his
Individual Judgment, and not any official
declaration TO be construed as a conclusion
drawn from evidence submitted to him
Notwithstanding this explanation, the
statement coming from such a high source
Immediately after the session of the cabi-
net caused much excitement throughout
official circles, and was accepted as direct
expression of the administration view of
the subject.
Later as a means of dsposing of all
doubt as 70 the exact nature of the Sec
retary's language. he dictated the follow
ing statement to Star reporter:
The main thing We talked about in abb
net were the outrages the postmasters,
one a white man in Georgia and one
colored man in South Carolina.
In regard to the Cuban situation / said
I thought things were growing queter
every day, and as far my judgment went
1 was inclined to think that any official
participation the part of the Spanish
government in the disaster was now prac-
tically eliminated"
Cause Still Unknown.
Two weeks ago tonight the battle ship
Maine was destroyed in Havana harbor,
and in spite of the greatest diligence
on the part of the officers charged with an
inquiry into the affair the cause of the dis
aster is still shrouded in mystery. Few
persons acquainted with the formidable
obstacles in the way of the operations of
the divers are surprised at this state of
affairs, for it is beginning to be realized
that upon the testimony of the divers
almost altogether will depend the success
of the inquiry. As for the survivors Of
the explosion it has not appeared that their
testimony has been of substantial value
Meanwhile the officials of the Navy De-
partInent have reached the conclusion that
harm is being done by the broaching of
theories to account for the explosion. So
notice has been served upon the naval ex-
pertS who have bpen heard from, in, +I,o
press that it is preferred that they shall
no longer discuss this matter in advance
or the report OF the court Of inquiry. One
reason for this action is the fact that the
department was finding itself committed
lhNoiuntarily to the support of the theory
that the explosion was Of internal origin,
while, as a matter of fact both Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt
have been at great pains to show that the
department stood entirely neutral as be-
tween the theorists and were prepared to
accept only the conclusions of the court of
inquiry as binding upon it. In consequence
OF TINS decision there is less disposition
manifested among the naval officers 20 talk
about the Maine affair in any phase than
has been the case heretofore.
Testimony of Experts Wanted.
An indication that the court of inquiry
n
eiusion or else is disposed, with view to
meeting future criticism, to collect all pos
sloie evidence whether 1t be deemed es-
sential or not, is the call to their assist
ance OF experts 1t has already been a
matter of comment that with all the ability
comprised in this court of inquiry it has
one weak spot, namely tho lack CT practi-
cal experience in its members OF the con-
struction of ship. This is no part Of the
duty OF a line officer, so that no reflection
IS carried by the statement. To remedy
their shortcomings the court has called
upon the department 10 send to their aid a
constructor and 4 carpenter and in COM
plance with the request Secretary Long
mas directed Naval Constructor Hoover and
Carpenter Helm to report 10 the court at
hsJ west IL Is expected that they will
go 70 Havana when the court returns there
From their familiarity with the structure
OF the Maine, upon which both of these
men worked when she was built in the New
YORK navy yard. they will be of great as
sisiance not only i'll suggesting easy meth
ods of work for the divers, but also in iden-
ufying portions of the wreck The latter
consideration is one OF the greatest i'm
portanee in view of the statements that
have come from Havana TO the effect that
some OF the ships bottom plates have been
fornd In the debris above water 1t is said
at the department that IL this is true, the
fact will be of Importance. But 1t would
not necessarily be conclusive evidence as
to the source of the explosion for il is
conceivable that as the deck was blown
up it might easily have pulled up with IL
some OF the frames and bottom plating
which are rigidly attached by rivets. With
out doubt the two experts will be much
L..rr.
divers TO identify any such piece of plate
No Orders to the Vessels.
No orders have gone out from The depart
IneEt to the vessels of tie squadron TO-DAY,
and the officials stamp as without founda.
ton the report that the squadron was yes.
terday ordered to be held in readiness To
sail for Havana. Likewise it is said that nc
selection has yet been made of a cruiser 10
Proceed TO Havana. and 1t is likely. in case
the court of inquiry should desire TO make
the return trip to Havana in a cruiser, tina,