The Ravalli Republican., 1898-02-23
TIE MAINE DISASTER.
Accident or Trcaclscry-Th Investigation
Begun Yesterday.

Accident or lIcachc!N--lnc lnNcStlSatloA
Begun Yesterday.
The blowing up of the United
States cruiser Maine in Havana har
Dor has caused intense excitement all
over the country, a few believing
that it was an accident, but the ma
iOritv being Of the opinion that it
was an act Of Spanish treachcry.
Many of these opinions have been
published and 60 to keep the inte-
rest up. The administration does
not propose to be unduly llasty in
coming to Il conclusion, and will
thoroughly Investigate the affair be-
fore acting. Should it be proved
that it was an accident it will only
tend to more care. Should the ad-
ministration be convinced that it
was Spanish act, d terrible ven
gcancc will be demanded by our
people. The investigation by gov
ernmcnt divers commenced on Mon
day, and no newspaper correspond
ents Or Spanish divers are allowed to
participate, and the officers in charge
are discrcctly rcticcnt. That the
sailors OF the Maine fully believe it,
was no accident is shown by the fol-
lowing dispatch:
Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. ga
special to the Times Union and Citi-
zen from Key West says: Sailors Of
the battlcship Maine suffering from
wounds in the Key West. hospital,
are smartng over the delay Of the
government in punishing what they
term Il Spanish outrage. In their
minds there is no doubt as to the
cause of the explosion, and they ex-
plain the delay in taking summary
action by saying that the president
is morally certain that there was no
accident, and, wishing to deceive the
Spaniards with Il feeling Of security
in using the short time to make the
necessary preparations to enforce his
ultimatum. / no action is taken
they say that not man among them
will again pace the deck of an Amer
lean mau-of-War. but if business is
meant it will take strong force tC
keep them from hurryiug to the
/ front, wounded though they are, t1
itakc a hand in what they look upon
as n personal ycDUcaucc.
owe were warned not to 90 tC
Havana" one said today. "being told
that danger awaited us thcrc. Wher
we got there we were again told
and it. was current runor that tho
harbor bottom was honcycOmbe(
with mines. We first chose ouI
anchorage ard rested there roH sew
cral hours. but the harbor mastC
compelled us to weigh anchor ant
proceed to spot marked by II buoy
We were rcvilcd on the streets 0
Havana, snccrcd at until our bloo(
boiled, and found out for our owl
safety, that it was necessary for u
to made our visits 10 the city il
force. No man dared to 90 alone
| There was no knowing what Woul(
happen to him.
"I'hc explosion itself is the bes
!. evidence That ii was a mine or tor
, pcdo. There was two sharp and dis
tinct reports. The first was like
peal OF thunder close ut hand, an
then darkness and chaos, made NOR
horrible by the screams Of dyin
men, the fierce shouts OF those fight
ING for cgrcss and the means Of thos
hcmmed in 50 die by fire orhy drown
ING. The Spanish warship was lyin
close at hand and Moro Castle W;
| not a shot away. Both have scarcl
i, lights, but none were turned upo
I~us to help the work OF rescue, an
because Of the darkness many BRAY
: men who could lave been rescued
) vent down to Davy Jones locker"