The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-28
Call Office, Riggs House


Washington, Feb. 81.
1t is pretty generally believed in
Washington tonight that the admin
istration is now firmly convinced that
the Names explosion was accidental,
and these are the reasons for this pre-
SUMPTION:
First-The assurance of the Spanish
Government that there were no torpe-
does or mines in that part of the har-
Dor, known as "Man-of- War anchor
age"
Second-The ordnance experts have
given their opinion that while a mine or
torpedo might tear holes in the vessels
hull and sink her it could not have
wrought such fearful havoc in the up
per structure of the vessel
member of Congress said to The
Call correspondent tonight: "If you
want scoop just say that a statement
will be given out by the Navy Depart
ment tomorrow or next day which will
assume that the explosion of the Maine
was accidental"
But such a statement would hardly
be given out in advance of the report
of the naval court" suggested the cor
respondent.
Yes, it will be put out as 'feeler' 4"
said the Congressman, who assumed to
know what he was talking about.
Whether the President and his ad-
visers have received any further tips
from Consul-General Lee, Senator
Proctor or members of the naval court
1 don't know, but it is certain that they
are now convinced that there were no
torpedoes or mines where the Maine
was anchored. And that the character
of the wreck pointed to an internal ex-
plosion."
But why should the administration
want to make any statement in adj
vance Of the report of the naval court?"
asked the correspondent.
Merely to head off the jingoes in
Congress- said he. 1.-THE President and
his Cabinet have been anxious and ap-
prehensive every day since the disas-
ter for fear that the jingoes in Con-
gress would break loose and pass res
olution recognizing the belligerent
rights of the CubanS. OF course, as
everybody knows. the passage of such a
resolution would precipitate a crisis"
The Washington Post, which is gen.
orally regarded as the mouthpiece of
the administration, as far as the Maine
affair is concerned, says: The Presi-
dent, 1t can be again stated, does not
expect war with Spain. He is of the
opinion that the present trouble can be
settled on a basis of diplomatic ne
gotiations if it should be decided that
the disaster to the Maine was not ac-
cidental, contingency which has not
yet arisen and may not arise. The
President expressed himself along these
lines to more than one of his callers
MI
sub mines in Havana harbor
was unsettled by the positive statement
of Senior Dubosc, the Charge d Affaires
of the Spanish legation, as we'll as by
the positive assertion of several naval
officers, who claim to have positive
knowledge. 1t is said as proving the
truth of Senior DuboScs statement that
submarine mines are never placed in
anchorage grounds because the con-
Meeting cables would always be in dan
ger from dragging anchors. They are
submerged in channels whenever they
are considered necessary"
The Post also publishes the follow
ing to show that the explosion may
have been, and probably was, acct
dental:
In volume x, Chambers Cyclopedia,
page 66S. is an account of the terrific
explosion that took place on board the
ship European when lying in harbor
at Colon. Panama, on April 8, 1866. 1t
says: AT 7 a. M. on the Sd a most
tremendous explosion occurred in the
afterpart of the ship. 1t was described
as most rapid, without smoke, but with
great flame, and the ship was i'm
mediately after seen to be on fire. The
whole of the deck and cabin aft were
carried away, and the side of the ship
was also much damaged, the plates
above the water-line being blown
away, and the parts below it being
much injured. For fear of further ex-
plosions the ship was lowed into the
bay, where she shortly sunk The
conclusion was irresistible that the ex-
plosion was due to the nitro lycerine
Gun cotton has large explosive power
also 1t has been known to explode
without apparent cause. Pending the
result of the official inquiry into the
Maine explosion. it is worth while to
remember that similar explosions have
occurred as the result of accident"