Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-03
DISASTER TALK.
The Naval Department Thinks Harm Is
Done by the Broaching of Theories.
MEETING OF THE CABINET.
the Government Is Still in the Dark as Co
the Cause OF the Maine Wreck-seo-
Rotary Longs View-GOmez's
Determination.

of the greatest diligence on the part
of officers charged with an inquiry i'm
to the affair the cause of the disaster
is still shrouded in mystery so far as
any of the officials in Washington
know. Few of those acquainted with
the formidable obstacles in the way
of operations of the divers are sur
prised at this state of affairs and it is
beginning to be generally realized that
upon the testimony of the divers almost
altogether will depend the success of
the inquiry. Meanwhile the officials
of the navy department have reached
the conclusion that harm is being done
by the broaching of theories to ac-
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
this 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
involuntarily to the support of
the theory that the explosion was
of internal origin, while, as
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
1t. 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 Names hull 1t 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-
cation by its own divers into the
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department has not withdrawn that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
in 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 sofar adj
duced discloses as they were on the
day after the explosion. The truth
of this statement is Nouched
for by authority not to be ques-
toned. 1t 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 Cen
eral Lee would be guided by the same
considerations. In any event neither
of these officers have communicated to
the government anything bearing up
on the vital question at issue. The
court itself has been equally non-com-
municative and nothing is expected
from 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
probable time which the inquiry will
consume.
Longs Personal View.
WASHINGTON, March l.--F GLOWING
the cabinet meeting to-day a report
was circulated to the effect that Secre-
tary Long had stated that the element
of Spanish responsibility had been
eliminated from the incident of the
disaster of the Maine. When Seere-
tary Long returned to the navy de-
partment representative of the Asso-
eiated press asked him concerning this
alleged statement. He said that his
expression had been of the most
casual character. The expression
was based entirely upon his per-
sOnal Judgment and did not spring
from any evidence or information in
his possession He further said that
there was a material abatement Of the
excitement over the subject of the
Maine. The secretary added that his
reference to SPANS responsibility was
that the question of any official partie.
ipation by the Spanish government in
the destruction Of the Maine was
practically eliminated, in his judg-
ment lie desired to have It made clear
that that was his personal view on the
subject.
Under = Great strain.
NEW YORK, March 1.-The Havana |
correspondent Of the New York Trib. |
Hne says:
Ohicials OF the government are praying for |
relief from = strain which they cannot endure |
much longer. IL Is not encouraging when on |
GERS Of hiHh rank In the army, who deplore the |
Maine catastrophe e deeply and as sincerely |
Is do the American people, beg TO demand that |
q the United States intends 70 make tie disas-