The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-27

He will never again trust himself to speak
in the presence of those who betray him.
Those who were present during his inter-
view with General Powell do not remember
to have heard any such expressions as
were quoted and did not hear the Cuban
question alluded TO. 1t may be said gen
orally, however that the President still adj
heres to the accident theory, and is waiting
Patiently with the hope that it may be con-
reasons for his belief, as explained by Sec
rotary Alger, are that if the Maine had
been destroyed by the explosion of a mine:
First-The vessel would have been lifted
with such violence as to have thrown the
persons who We're standing upon its deck
from their feet, and would have produced
such a shock that it would not have been
forgotten, whereas none of the survivors
describe any such movement or sensation.
'Second-If there had been an explosion
in the water sufficient to have produced the
existing condition of the Maine, there would
have been a tremendous commotion IN the
water which would have violently rocked
every ship in the bay and washed over the
low wharveS like a tidal wave, but men
who were sitting upon the decks of vessels
in the bay report no such phenomena, anu
those who were sitting upon the low DOCKS
at the custom house noticed no unuspaI
disturbance, and al first thought that the
explosion was in the fortress.
'Third-The explosion of a mine or a tor-
pedo would have covered the surface or the
water with dead fish, whereas none what
ever were Observed.
"Fourth--If the Maine had been destroyed
by the explosion Of d mine or torpedo the
water would have been thrown into the
air like a geyser and the decks or the yes.
sci would have been deluged, but none OF
the survivors reports such a phenomenon.
The President realizes that the situation
is serious and calls for the exercise OF the
greatest wisdom and discretion, but the
published statements concerning prepara-
lions for hostilities and councils of war are
false. He is going along with the regular
duties of his office as If nothing had hap
pened and lis confident of the ability or
the government to sail through the present
honor
nifty being compelled to defend them
with arms"
At the Cabinet meeting Friday there was
a free discussion of the situation, but every
one said that no new facts were brought
out and that there no change In the
opinions expressed last Friday that the ex-
piosion on the Maine was the result or an
accident. 1t was emphatically denied that
General Lee had cabled the department MS
opinion that the Maine was blown. up from
the outside, or that there was information
from any source indicating such conclu-
sion on the part of the board of inquiry.
Not fact from Havana has been WITH
held from the public, said Secretary VII
son. There is not fact in the possession
of the President or the Cabinet upon which
opinion be based, and while we are
not anticipating trouble, we are not going
to be caught unprepared for it, The Presl-
dent will meet all emergencies as they arise
with craftsmanship, dignity and determine
tion He will not be diverted from the path
of duty by the fear of any foreign power
nor by public cIamOr at home. He realizes
his responsibilities and that this is a good
time for people to keep their wits about
them, and he is proud of the dignihed be-
havior of the American people. There is
no occasion to fear that he will not com
port himself in such a way as to vindicate
the national honor, no matter what may
happen. But we ali feel that we must wait
quietly for the verdict of the board of IN
quiry, in which we have implicit confidence,
and when il comes there will be no doubt
of the ability of this government to take
prompt measures to meet the emergency.