The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-03-03
How Our congressmen Look up0|
the Present National Crisis.
NOT DUE TO AN AccIDENT5
Majority Think Ship Was Destroyed
by Exterior Explosion, But Con-
servative In Planning Our Action.


Withers: si7
Senator McLaurin said: The best
opinion can form from reading the
newspapers is that the blowing up OF
the Maine is not due to an accident
There seems to have been threats made
in Habana that the Maine would be de-
stroyed if allowed to anchor, and Capt
Sigsbee has wired the navy depart
ment not to send another vessel there
for fear it also would be destroyed
don't think the administration Will
hold out much longer against public
opinion in the Cuban mstter--a crisis
is at hand. If the official report shows
that the Maine was blown mp by 9 gov.
ernment mine our government viii
have to act I believe Spain-or .
certain party in Spain-wants war with
the United States. Each country
seems to be waiting to have the chip
knocked of its shoulder. I.
Representative Talbert said that he.
didn't care to express an opinion as to
the cause of the destruction OF the
Maine until the facts are made known
to the board of inquiry. 'But, he
said, ''if Spanish treachery is shown to
be the cause I don't see that there -
anything for Us to do but to give Spain
o licking. am now and have long
been in favor OF recognizing the inde-
pendence of Cuba.
Mr.. Stokes said: The weight Of un-
disputed evidence in hand points to
the disaster from external explosion
most probably o submarine mine, The
Spanish authorities knew the location
of the mines and the Maine Was assign.
ed to her place by the authorities, and
this makes out strong prima facie
case of deliberate treachery, in my
Judgment. Should such provo TO b
the case the very least that could Be
demanded would be full compsnsation
for the ship and reparation, as far -
possible, for the lives Of the crew. We:
might be justified in view Of other cir-
cumstances in declaring war.
DR.. Strait thinks that the cstastrophe
was the result Of treachery, perhaps on
the part of some Spanish followers 81
Weyler. Ii this be the case We would
have to demand indemnity for men and
property and if this j. refused wewould
have grounds for fight.
Congressman Wilson said: Congfese
is awaiting the action Of the administers
ton, as the Republican leaders have
adopted the policy Of letting the admin
istratlon pursue its own course. 1.-THE
Cuban matter could be once gotten be-
fore Congress there would be speedy
recognition of belligerency because
there are enough Republicans to join
the Democrats in the House to cAryy
such resolution. Speaker Reed viii
not give the House an opportunity 10
vote. So the matter is solely 10 the
hands Of Mckinley. Since the Gestruc-
ton of the Maine there has been re-
mendous pressure brought to bear upon
the President. That taken u com
nection with the DeLoms incident
and the admitted failure Of auton-
omy, is likely to result in the
President submitting q message
imme diately after the report
of the Maine investigating committee
indicating that he will pursue the
course of Intervention which is his last
annual message he suggested might
become necessary. That Intervention
will mean one Of two things; either the
recognition of belligerency, which will
speedily result in Cuban Independence,
or the purchace of her Independence
by Cuba from Spain at something like
Si00, 900, 600 with the United Statee
experimenting the collection OF Cuban
import revenues and thereby securing
the payment Of the purchase money. !.
do not think President Mckinley VIII
20 to the extent Of letting Congress- sd- I;
iourn without taking action himself or
instructing the House leaders to let
Congress itself act. The Republican
party cannot 60 before the country this
fall with such Q fragrant disregard o.
its platform pledges. Az to SPANS liA-
bility, I think that our government can
hold Spsin responsible only in the
event that Spanish authorities or Span.
ish agents were in some way connected
directly or indirectly with the explosion
No government can be held to answer
for the act of fanatic or fiend who has
NO Official connection with that govern.
ment But even If Spain is NOT
of the explosion presents au additional
contribution to the existing lawless con-
dition surrounding Cuba and viii have
it's effect in influencing President Mo-
Kinleyt to act upon the conclusion which
the great body Of the people OF the
country have already reached, that Gu.
ban autonomy is failure and that hu.
manity demands that the anarchy and
barbarity that has been prevailing IN
the island for the past year be termi.
mated by such proceedings on the part
Of our government as may be neces'
sary.
Congressman Latimer said that from
present information he thought the ship
was blown up from the outside. bnt
that he had no sympathy with the feel
ing that Spain should be held responsi.
bic unless it can be proven that the gov
ernment instigated the outrage.
Congressman Elliott did not care TO
express an opinion or add anything to
increase the present excitement until
the facts become known.
johnson at the Helm Again.
Prof. D. 3. johnson, president ois
Winthrop Normal and Industrial Coli
lege, who has been quite sick for sew
eral months, has almost entirely re-
gained his health, and is again at his
post of duty. The affairs Of the college