The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-02
SIGSBEE AND LEE SILENT
NEITHER HAS YET EXPRESSED AN
OPINION ON THE MATTER.
Yesterdays Session of the Cabinet De-
ing of Negro POstmasters.

terest of the day in connection with the
Maine inquiry centeIed in statement by
Secretary Long following the Cabinet meet
ing that in his personal opinion any official
participation by the Spanish government in
the blowing up of the Maine was now prac-
tically eliminated from the situation. This
statement was not of a formal or official
character and was made by Mr.. Long as
he walked away from the White House.
AS usual the various Cabinet officers were
besieged with inquiries as to the questions
before the meeting, and in response to these
opportunities the secretary rather casually
summed up the situation in few words,
stating that most of the time had been
given to the outrages on colored postmast-
ers in the South. Naturally the Cuban sit
uation had been gone over. he said. but
there were no actual developments, and he
felt that public excitement over the subject
had materially abated. Then he added the
statement in the same passing way that
any participation by the Spanish govern
ment in the blowing up of the Maine was
practically eliminated, in his judgment.
This last remark was speedily given wide
circulation, apart from the quieting refer
ences which had accompanied it. 1t imme-
diately started much comment and discus
sion, and when Mr.. Long returned to the
Navy Department after lunch he found that
what he had intended to convey was being
given the force Of an official declaration
that Spain's responsibility for the disaster
had been eliminated. In order to make
clear his meaning as personal expression
of opinion MIR. Long dictated the following
statement:
1.-THE main thing we talked about in Cab
met was the outrages on the postmasters,
one a white man in Georgia anG one col
ored man in South Carolina. In regard to
the Cuban situation L said thought things
were growing quieter every day, and far
as my judgment went ] was inclined to
think that any official participation on the
part Of the Spanish government in the
disaster was now practically eliminated"
WHY THE STATEMENT WAS MADE.
The foregoing conveyed all that Mr.. Long
desired to say on the subject, and this much
was given only to offset enlarged versions
of what he had said. Persons occupying
the closest relations with the secretary said
that the opinion expressed was such as any
one might give with the facts now at hand.
It was not in any sense, it was explained,
a conclusion drawn from new evidence not
made public, either from the court of in
quiry or any officer now concerned in the
come from such sources, it is said at the
department, which would serve as the basis
for an opinion. The official declaration of
Senior Du Bose the Spanish charge
d'affaires, that no mines or submarine de-
fenses exist in the harbor of Havana had
come to the attention of Secretary Long,
and this statement from the authorized
representative of the Spanish government
was felt to have been given its due weight
in the opinion expressed by the secretary.
1t was pointed out by persons bearing close
relations to the secretary that the language
used was "off1cial participation" on the
part OF the Spanish government This, it
was said had no bearing on the question of
Spain's responsibility The official partici-
patton" of Spain was one thing, while the
responsibility of Spain in case the disaster
proved to be of external origin was quite
another thing The secretaryS statement
was restricted, it is explained, to eXculpat-
ing Spain from direct official knowledge and
participation in the affair. In case it was
shown that the act was due to some fanatic
or person upconnected with the government
then the question of Spain's responsibility
would be still open. MIR. Long was much
surprised that SO much attention had been
given to his passing allusion.
Aside from the Long incident, the day
brought forth few developments of i'm
portance relating to the Maine. No dis
patches of any character from Key West,
where the court of inquiry is sitting, were
given out during the day and as the rule
Of publicity is still in force, presumably
nothing came from that quarter. 1t has
just been learned at the Navy Department
why the Maine was tied UP to a buoy in
Havana harbor instead of anchoring, a
fact that has been the base for some of
the theories as to the cause of the disas-
ter. 1t is stated that not only is man-of-
war at buoy in much better place for
quick service than when anchored, but ii
appears that if a ship casts her anchor
in Havana harbor, so foul and polluted
with yellow fever and other disease germs
is the mud that adheres to it when it is
hoisted, that the ship must go into quar-
antine upon her return to any Florida port.
EXPERT ASSISTANCE NEEDED.
An indication that the court of inquiry is
either far from having reached any con-
clusion, or else is disposed, with a view
to meeting future criticism, to collect all
possible evidence, whether it be deemed es-
sential or not. is the cali to their assistance
of experts. 1t has already been a matter
of comment that, with all the ability COM
prised in this court OF inquiry, 1t has one
weak spot namely, the lack of practical
experience OF the construction of a ship in
its members. This is no part OF the duty
of lire officer. so that no reflection is car
ried by the statement. To remedy their
shortcomings the court has called upon the
department to send TO their aid e construc-
tor and carpenter, and in compliance