The Mena star., 1898-03-02
DISASTER TALK.
~.. Naval Department Thinks Harm Is none by the Broaching of Theories.
MEETING OF THE CABINET.
aoverpment Is stiII in the Dark as to th. Cause of the Maine wreck-sec- retary Long's view-Gomez's
 Determination.

w surNeroN, March 1.-Two weeks
 ,o-nipht the battleship Maine was ssstroyed in Havana harbor and in spite sftbe greatest diligence on the part st officers charged with an inquiry in- .ha affair the cause of the disaster z s.,ll shrouded in mystery so far as anu of the officials in Washington ,row. Few of those acquainted with ,bs formidable obstacles in the way ~ operations of the divers are sur. rr,sed at this state of affairs and it is bscinuinr to be generally realized that anon the testimony of the divers almost altogether will depend the success of inc inquiry. Meanwhile the officials of the navy department have reached tbe conclusion that harm is being done by the preaching of theories to &C., count for the explosion, so notice has been served upon the experts who have been heard from in the press that it is preferred they shall no longer discuss fhis matter in advance of the report of the court of inquiry. One reason for this action was the fact that the de- partment was finding itself committed inyoluntarily to the support of the theory that the explosion was of internal origin, while, as 2 matter of fact. both Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt have been at great pains to show that the department stood entirely neutral as between the theorists and were pre- pared to accept only the conclusions of the court of inquiry as binding upon it In consequence of this decision there is less disposition manifested among the naval officers to talk about the Maine affair in any phase.
 No advices have been received at either state or navy departments that would warrant the statement that the Spanish officials in Havana have at tempted to interpose any obstacles to the prosecution of the work of the wreckers on the Maine's hull. It is said that the very last phase of this matter was sent out in the published dispatch of Assistant Secretary Day, authorizing the Spanish government to prosecute an independent investi- hNeUA " Ato ONh A1bO bAtG cause of the loss of the Maine. The department has not withdrawn that permission.
 The Meeting of the Cabinet
 WASHINGTON, March 1.-The meet ing of the cabinet to-day, at which all members were present, disclosed the fact that the government is still with out news regarding the cause of the disaster to the Maine. Up to this time the court of inquiry has not indicated Tn any way the trend of the investiga- ton. The president and the members of the cabinet are as completely in the dark as to what the evidence so far ad- duced discloses as they were on the day after the explosion. The truth of this statement is vouched Tor by authority not to be ques- uoned. It is explained that under the peculiar circumstances of the case Capt Sigsbee would not com municate his theories or knowledge of the facts to any one except the court conducting the inquiry. Consul Gen eral Lee would be guided by the same considerations. In any event neither oi these officers have communicated to 'ae government anything bearing up- on the vital question at issue. The court itself has been equally non-com- municative and nothing is expected rom this source until the inquiry is completed and the findings sent to the secretary of the navy. Nor has any animation been received as to the prooaole time which the inquiry will Consume.
 =. Loag's Personal View.
 WASHINGTON, March 1.-F ollowing the cabinet meeting to-day a report was circulated to the effect that Secre- vary Long had stated that the element VI spanish responsibility had been siminated 2. from the incident of the u'saster of the Maine. When Secre- 'aey Long returned to the navy de- partfnent B representative of the Asso- o,a'ed press asked him concerning this a"eged statement. He said that his expression had been of the most easual character. The expression vas based entirely upon his per sohal Judgment and did not spring run any evidence or information in .'s .n possession. He further said that s1o.e was a material abatement of the over the subject of the naaife. The secretary added that his ,sD iefence to Spain's responsibility was ,a aa. the question of any official partic- pa'on tp by the Spanish government in
 uestruction of the Maine was eliminated, in his judg- leaI lie desired to have it made clear sn9 snps mat was his personal view on the