The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-18
ACCIDENT Or DESIGN.


The battle ship disaster has driven the De
LONE incident completely out of the public
mind. One of the main results of that incl
dent was to confirm and strengthen popular
opinion as to Spanish duplicity and deceit.
Mr.. De LONE had received personal kind
nesses and hospitality from President Nc
Kinley, had broken bread and drank wine
at his table, and, If accounts were true. had
been demonstrative and almost obse-
quious in his personal attentions to- the
President. Yet, in a confidential letter TO a
Spanish friend he abuses and vilifies him
outrageously. If Spaniards are not natur-
ally deceitful there is nothing in the tradi-
tional belief and common consent of other
peoples. That this opinion has some in
fiuence on public sentiment in the United
States regarding the destruction of the
Maine there can be no doubt. She had gone
to Havana on friendly mission, like the
battle ships of other nations. Spain and the
United States being at peace, she had as
good a right there as she would have had in
any port Of Europe, or, for that matter, in
the harbor of New York. She had been re-
ceived with the customary naval salutes
and visits and other courtesies had been
exchanged between her officers and the
Spanish officials. Yet these superficial evil
dences are no more conclusive of sincere
friendship than were Mr.. De Lome's con-
spicuous attentions to and professions of
regard for President Mckinley. Scratch a
Spaniard and you find deceiver. Mr.. De
LONE says now that he loves this country
and people and that the Spanish people
want peace with America and Americans,
not only from motives of policy but be-
cause they love America" The Spanish pa
pers at Madrid unite in expressions of re-
greet and sympathy on account of the dsas-
ter In the light of recent events and of the
bitter and violent abuse of this government
and people by these same papers for months
past, these expressions win be rated at their
true worth. The Spanish character does not
change in the twinking Of an eye, and moth
ing but a thorough investigation and COM
plete demonstration will convince a large
portion of the American people that the de-
struction of the Maine was not due to Span
sh treachery and duplicity The inter-
change of courtesies at Havana was all
between officials. The sailors on the Maine
got nothing but scowls and insults. "They
are greatly incensed at the Havana peo-
ple,'' says a Key West Dispatch who
looked upon their presence as a national
affront and who have published anonymous
circulars captioned Down with Ameri-
cans" The sailors, whose opinion in re-
gard to the cause of the disaster is as good,
in the absence of definite proof as that of
the officers or the officials at Washington,
and much better than that OF members of
Congress- believe that it was the work of
Spaniards. They may be mistaken, but it
will take strong evidence to the contrary to
convince them.
The promptness with which the Spanish
officials, both at Havana and Madrid, decid-
ed that the disaster was undoubtedly due to
an accident, and the unanimity with which
they announced this conclusion to the world
are somewhat remarkable. While Captain
Sigsbee was refusing to talk and asked a
suspension of public opinion. and while Gen.
Lee wired that 1.-The cause of the explosion
is yet to be Investigated" and the Washing
ton authorities maintained strict reserve,
Captain General Blanco had not only de-
cided that the disaster was accidental. but
had discovered the exact cause. He wired
to the Spanish legation at Washing
ton that 1.-The Maine blew up by
an undoubtedly chance accident, believed to
have resulted from an explosion of the boil
er of the dynamo" The same thing was
wired to Madrid and given out by the au-
thorities there. 1t would have looked much
better if instead of this hasty decision and
announcement, the Spanish authorities had
also requested a suspension of judgment
and announced their purpose to cooperate
in a thorough investigation of the affair.
But, notwithstanding their quick and easy
solution Of the mystery, an official investiga-
ton will be had, and if important discover
les are made they will be announced. even
if they should not sustain the theory of the
Spanish authorities.
1t is about an even chance whether inves-
tigation will show that the disaster was due
to accident or design. Pending such inves-
tigation the American people should MAIN
tain their present attitude of GOODNESS and
self-control Then, no matter what the in
vestigation may disclose, they will have
nothing to regret and the government will
be able TO shape its action according to as
certained facts.