Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-26
This said 20 Have Been Determined
On-The Same Authority Reports
That Divers Agree on Theory Oh
Outsfde Agency-War RumOrs.

tho administration remains firm in It's |
statement that there is no credible infor- |
nation one way or the other as to the
cause Of the disaster, and holds to It's !
nurpose TO await the conclusion of the |
investigation now being made by the |
court OF inquiry. This position was en- |
phasized at to-day's Cabinet meeHng' |
People who looked for some startling an
nouncement were disappointed as the
members without reservation frankly ad-
mitted that the subject of the loss OF the
Maine had been discussed, but said that
the government had received no ln1or-
nation from Habana since yesterday, and
had no intention Of changing its policy
until there was something of substance
TO warrant It, The Spanish legation was
equally in the dark as to any Of the dis
coveries reported from sources that are
not cited
Secretary Long has been under heavy
and almost constant strain ever since he
was awakened In the middle of the night
a week ago last Tuesday by the news OF
the loss of the Maine, and now that mat
ters are. at least for the time being, in
nnleler state. it has SSnt away ANi 90
few days rest, leaving Assistant-Secre-
tary Roosevelt to manage the department.
The latter has been thoroughly advised
at every step OF the Secretary's policy OF
treatment of the Maine affair, so that
there is not likely to be any change in
that respect caused by the temporary as
sumption Of the duties of Secretary by
Mr.. Roosevelt.
Just before the department closed he
had word of the sailing of the cruiser
Montgomery from Tampa for Key West.
I'D 10 that time the vessel had been
gwen no orders. so that the date OF de-
parture for Habana, if she IS to go there
at all. is conjectural. The ship went to
Tampa, instead OF Key West, on her re-
turn from san Domingo, in order to IA
cintate the speedy return TO his duties in
washington Of Captain Crowninshield,
the Cnief of the Navigation Bureau, who
saved n full day by the movement
The Castine. the second of the United
states warships on the South Atlantic
station. arrived to-day from Barbados,
where she joined the Cincinnati.
II may be that the Castne may go 10
Martinique, TO be docked, as she is In
need OF cleaning after her tropical SER
vice.
REPORT OF THE COURT.
Since so much depends upon the report
OF the court of inquiry, it may be In
teresting to note that so far Secretary
Long himself does not know when to ex-
pect this important document, up TO This
time having heard nothing from any Of
the members on this point. He rather
| expected that the court, which has COM
plete power TO work on its own lines.
would wind up its work 81 Habana be-
fore leaving, so as TO avoid the necessity
for return trip.
one member of the Cabinet had a more
definite opinion on the subject, expecting
the receipt OF the report from the court
about the middle OF next week. There Is
reason TO believe that mean time, and to
| prepare for the reception Of a report that
| vould show the disaster to be other than
the result of an accident, some of the
otfcials of the administration have been
looking up the subject Of indemnities,
so AS 10 lay the case before arbitrators
in the event IT should be decided to re-
sort TO that method of settlement.
There are large number Of precedents
| TO aid the authorities in this direction, II
| the facts are fully established
| While none of the cases show the fear
ful loss Of life sustained by the Maine
| explosion. yet they include many in
stances in which the United States have
adopted energetic measures to redress
the killing Of American citizens In foreign
countries. In general way, these me-
thods of redress have included demands
| for indemnity, proclamations excluding
warships of the offending nation from our
barbors. display of force, non-intercourse
withdrawal Of our Minister reprisal, and
blockade.
Some Of these steps border very closely
on war. although they are regarded as
the movements just preliminary to actual
hostilities and as amounting to threat
that force will follow If reparation Is not
made.
CASE OF THE WATER WITCH.
The case of the Water Witch is con-
s,dered 10 be the most analogous to that
of the Maine, should ii be established
that the Maine disaster was not the re-
suit of an accident.
The water Witch was United States
shin engaged. in 1855, In surveying tht
entrance TO one of the rivers OF Paraguay
wi,hout warning, and by order OF Presi'
dent Lopez, of Paraguay a force OF
troops opened fire on the Water Witch
,uiing the man at the helm and wound
inc others Intense feeling was aroused
=, tho United States when the news be
came known
,.na President reported the facts &c
congress. and in his message asked au'
,nor,tv to make demonstration OF force
which would ensure suitable redress In
response to this Congress authorized bin
70 use such force as is necessary tc
secure ample reparation.
accordingly. an armed fleet was hastily
eoronlea on a scale which Fwas regard
90 % as remarkable for those days. TIE
e1,,ion included nineteen armed ships
..,.a',v-t,ve heavy guns. and $500 sailors
ana marines. Accompanying this lormi
aan,e rorce we're civilian plenipotentaries
,,renared 10 make the demands of this
ps.-,,,ent and then enforce them bJ