Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-17
Spanish Officials Uneasy Over Find
ing of Naval Court.
WILL MAKE A COUNTER CLAIM
Autonomist Cabinet is an Object Of
Contempt on All Sides.
DEMAND ON CONSUL GOLLAN
Copyright, 1898, by Charles NJ. Pepper)
ecial Dispatch from Staff Carrespcndent

Special Dispatch from Staff Correspondent.
HAVANA, March 16, via Key West, Fla,
March 1T.-Havana continues quiet on the
surface. There is a lull in the enthusiasm
shown over the presence Of wsrShips and
the arrival of new recruits. Popular feel
ing will be renewed in few days, yet there
is little probability of a demonstration
which will show the real sentiment enter
tanned toward the United States.
Every effort of the officials is now di-
rected to warding off intervention. The
elections, which take place in the latter
part of April, are now brought forward as
an excuse Tor delay.
Whiie the authorities are disturbed over
the prospective report of the Sampson court
cf inquiry into the Maine disaster, they
Iely on diplomacy to help over that Incl
dent so it will not be a factor il int,lven-
ton. The Spanish expectation is that the
United States will maintain that the ship
Spain will counter this with it's own
court of inquiry's report, that the ex-
plosion was due to an accident. The claim
will be made that the two governments
offer, disinterested experts from neutral
governments should be called in. Arbitra-
ton as to indemnity may be suggested. l
presume this program is understood in
Washington. 1t is worth nothing only as
showing that Spain will welcome the sug
gestion that the Maine explosion be treated
Il an episode distinct from the general
conditions in Cuba. II that is the policy of
the administration it is in accord with the
policy which Spain is seeking to establish.
VIII Not Return to Havana.
Captain Sampson and associates will not
return to Havana unless the purpose is to
Kill time. The divers can gather no more evil
dence regarding the nature OF the explosion
than they have already collected. The re-
suit of the divers invest tigation had been
analyZed before the board left Key West.
The Spanish classes have little knowledge
of what is happening in Washington. SO
little is permitted publication that they do
not know the full significance of congress
sional action or the attitude Of the admins
tration.
The officials show irritation over the COM
ment of congressman who have lately been
in Cuba. Some terse opinions attributed to
Senator Proctor are especially dstasteful
to them.
Conflicting news is published regarding
the purchase of warshlps. The statements
that the United States has bought warships
from Brazil or some other country are
counteracted with equally positive state
ments of purchases by Spain. In this way
the delusion of the popuiace is maintained
The volunteers are again occupying atten-
tioE. Squads of them are drilled in artil-
lery practice under the direction of regular
army officers. They are made to feel their
importance and the friendship between
them and the army Is strengthened. The
volunteers are working themselves UP to a
pitch where they will fight anybody except
the insurgents. They are now engaged in
festival of patriotism for the strengthen
ing of the navy. grand ball, which is to
be given Saturday night, is under their di-
rection. The officers have contributed with
much publicity to this entertainment. So
has the Austrian consul, who is a Spanish
merchant. The volunteers asking
threateningly why the members of the au-
tonomist cabinet have not contributed.
Contempt for Autonomist Cabinet.
This cabine: is an object of contempt by
all parties, although some pity is felt for
Its members. Its only remaining function
1s TO serve as scapegoat for the Sagasta
government in Spain and for Blanco in
Cuba. Secretary General Congosto's ex-
traordinary demand on British Consul Col
Ian for disclaimer of the Prince of Wales
reported attitude favoring American inter-
vention has excited renewed interest in
England's position. Consul GolIan treats
the incident as the outbreak of an ill-tem-
pered subordinate and without official sig
nificance. Nevertheless it does not pass
without comment on the sensitiveness of
the Spanish authorities to European opin-
ion.
Military operations continue to show the
generalization and paralysis on the part of
the Spanish troops, with Gomez giving
fresh proofs of the activity of the insur-
gents. CHAS NJ pEpDED.