Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-02-24
EUROPEAN OPINIONS.
Noted Statesmen Express Their
Views on the Maine Disaster.
AMERICAN RESIGNATION ADMIRED.
Crispi scepticsl ~ to IN AccIdsnt-Aussr's
Holds That Charges Against Spain
Must He Prove ,-Germsny and
France Non. Committnl.

premier, one Of the creators of the triple
alliance and the greatest statesman OF
Italy, says regarding the Maine dis
aster:
am not technical expert In matters Of this
kind, and, therefore, cannot sit In 1udgmens
on the cause Of the Maine explosion ask
myself however, and cannot helpsdoing 80
WIN such explosions do not take place In ordi-
nary and normal times l think there Is not
person In the world who can really believe IL
was due to simple accident. l admire tnp
resignation Of the United States, but WIN
more energy the Cuban question would nave
been settled long while ago. II now the re-
bellion should be stified in the blood Of Its up
holders the shame and disgrace will fall on the
whole civilized world.
Sig. Flore. an international arbi'
traitor and European authority on in
ternational law, said yesterday:
Spain is not positively obliged to take any
action except, II proved indirectly responsible,
ss for instance, II Spanish authorities, having
suspicion Of crime. did not take fitting pre-
ventive measures Meanwhile Spain Is not
obliged to prove non-responsibility. lnterns-
tional law presupposing good faith.
AUSTRIAN AUTHORITIES.
VIENNA, Feb. %. Replying to an in
curry yesterday, Baron Jettel, first
court counselor of the Austrian foreign
Office, high authority on information
oil law, said:
The Maine incident is no question OF interna-
tiopal right but only criminal case. 1t can
be Judged according to the laws Of the country
to which the offenders belong. II the United
States government suspects that Spanish sub
jects committed the crime, this suspicion tne
United States must have verified
Adm. Field was non.commlttal, ana
1t was apparent that the naval authorl'
ties were reticent lest any expression
of theirs might favor the suspicion
that the catastrophe was not the re-
suit of an accident The hypothesis
of malice is freely discussed among
politicians. 1t is held that the ex-
penses of investigation must first be
betrayed by the American govern
ment, and If guilt of Spanish sub
iects is proved, Spain must re-
fund the expenses of the examination.
If something in the condition OF the
fragments point to the guilt OF Span
ish subjects. Spain will have to search
for the guilty persons and try them by
Spanish law. lfSpanish law demands
that a reward be offered, Spain is
obliged to do this. These officials say
the present political situation in no
way puts obligations on Spain in this
affair, which is considered by all ma
tions in purely criminal light, ..
GERMAN OPINION ON THE MATTER.
BERLIN, Feb. 23.-The following was
received yesterday from an eminent
authority in the German foreign office
Owing to his official position, he de
clined the publication Of his name:
Spain is responsible when negligence II
watching can be maintained against It, o.
when 1t is shown that Its connivance has beei
either active or passive, or when the deed II
done or promoted by any Of Its officials In &c
tive service
If the Spanish government is not re
sponsible, and the act was committed
BY q private citizen Of Spain, opinion
as to the position Of Spain and tn
amount Of its liability is not unani
nous among German internationa
lawyers They state, however, tha
the United States would be justi
fed in inspiring Spain to pu
all criminal machinery in INC
ton and exhaust every re
source to bring the criminal t
, Justice 1t could even insist on Spail
Offering a reward if dissatisfied wit
the ordinary police procedure 0
: doubtful of its success The first &C
of Spain would be to apologize for tn
/ act of its citizen, and assure tn
United States that the criminal 0
q criminals, when discovered, would b
). brought to justice.
FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER'S VIEW
PARIS, Feb. SS.-Foreign Ministe
Hanotaux, despite his multiplicity
\ duties, when asked his opinion as
$ diplomatic authority as to what actio
. on the part of Spain would satisfy tn
: requirements of the international 81
a uation arising upon the destruction
y the Maine, assuming it was blown U
: by design, but without responsibility
. attaching to the Spanish government
10 replied:
1t Is impossible for me to give the opinl'
vou require on the American-Spanish cris
n but. speaking as historian, cannot o. y
, moment recall any exactly parallel case !
a. ,,,a,noo ~ thoSe mowers TheV must