The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-25
WAR IS EXPECTED.
sudden Conservatism OF Senate--Ac.
cident Theory Abandoned.

NAhfnh Ai'OiN
WASHINGTON D. c., Feb. 24-The
star this afternoon says. locally:
The Government is preparing for war.
The hope that war may be averted 10
growing weaker. but the little hope there
is will sustain the Government IN the ef-
fort to keep down public excitement as
long as possible. The sudden conserva-
tfm OF the Senate arises from convic-
t!on that "a rupture with Spain Is about
81 occur on account OF causes already ex-
is.ipg ana a dcsirc not 10 run ,ha risk OF
amy false step which would enable Spain
- snift ground and 61 the immediate re-.
sponsibihty Tor the conflict upon This Gov
ernmcnt. 1he situation, too, demands
that nothing should bc done IN this coun-
try 20 give excuse. however poor. for
popular uprising OF the Spanish IN CUBA.
The declaration by Senator 1nurston in
the Senate yesterday that IL would he
grave misfortune ~ onr strained relations
were f0 come 90 crisis before tho COM
plCtion 0f the Maine inquiry, voiced an
apprehension which Us felt by those most
familiar with the situation. The acl-
dent theory of the explosion Is no longer
seriously pressed. The most conserva-
NV. Wow ir AiAMN NAlf AAtAithfF VI thtA a.
cident being shown are 20 8. 6ht that
they are not worth arguing.
ACCIDENT THEORY ABANDONED.
n here is good reason fog believing that
the theory has been abandoned entrey
hy every one officially in touch with the
situation and th8t che mea in Congress
who will De relied upon for advice ana
support are no longer in Ignorance. But
IL would be folly-and it IS so recognized
By the strong men in Congress no matter
what has been their attitude toward
spain-to have anything said or done by
responsible althCr.tias which might has
ten the crisis IL Is believed that the ap-
prehension that very httle might eX-
cite a state of affairs IN Cuba which
would render further investigation 10y
the court OF inquiry impossible IS only
TOO well founded II IS believed that II
there are certain men IN cuba who know
exactly how the explosion occurred, they
are men who control q certain element
of the population. and for their personal
safety would resort TO violence 10 render
further investigation impossible Il they
we're convinced that a complete examina-
ton would disclose evid 5nce OF their
crime. The slightest excuse for a riot
would be ovailod Of and the consideration
Of the position In which their action
would place the Bianco government
would not hold them in check. lndiscre.
ton here. either on the part Of Congress
" OF any executive Official might endan-
ger. uot only The prosecution Oi the in
qulry but the lives Of General Lee and
our officers now in Havana
TINE FOR PREPARATION.
Moreover. there ls need of time for
preparation FOR wel. Certain propara-
1ions we have no. made because IL WAS
felt thai the publicity which would ne
cessarily follow might render war inevi-
table al time when the prospects were
that % could le avoided There are many
things 90 be done which might De I'M
possible after % declaration oi war Fog
this reason 10 is believed that thc inyes-
tigation by the board viii be PROLONGED
as much as possible The danger OK their
position will render n necessary that tho
INVESTIGATION in Havana hc got through
with speedily. but on thc return OF The
board 10 Key West their work will pro-
ceed with such deliheratiOr as the con-
dition OF affairs viii admit o. There is
an impression about Congress In guar
tiers where impressions usually have
semi Official foundation, thai. sufficient
evidence has already been found 10 make
it no longer "a matter OF doubt that the
Maine was destroyed By design The
impression" extends 70 tho belief that
it is officially known that the accident
theory ia uuteuablc. and that n no furth-
'r investigation were had there would
he a moral certainty OF the explosion
having been external But whatever
time can properly be gained by delibera-
ton on the part or the board and by Of
ncial reserve Will De avaiIcd Of a riot
in Havhna or the lnlpctuosity Of Spain
may force rupture before We are ready,
but II IL policy 10 take rs much time as