The record-union., 1898-03-07

NEW YORK, March IA dispatch
to the Tribune" from Havana says:
The arrival of the Spanish warship
Almirante OquendO While the Spanish
population was still rejoicing over the
coming of the Vizcaya has given the
Spaniarls an exaggerated notion of
Spain's naval prowess. The tendency
is to cause q feeling that war with the
United States would not be SO serious
for Spain. The idea may seem ridicu-
louS in the States, yet the existence OF
this belief among a large element of the
population of Havana should not be
ignored. These Spanish warships en-
courage the notion that the result of
the Maine inquiry is u subject of in
difference to the Spanish Government.
Not many days Will De needed for
Captain Sampson and his associates to
conclude the investigation.
The wrecking companies are making
progress in clearing a way through the
superstructure. During the absence Of
the board the Naval Department divers
have been able to extend their examina-
tion CT the plates OF the hull. They
found these plates twisted from an out
side explosion Everything previously
learned regarding the forward maga-
zine being intact, and the existence OF
large quantities of unexplOded ammu-
milton, has been confirmed ana
strengthened.
Without going into minutiae, 1t may
be said the Navy Department divers
have secured more technical evidence
from the condition of the huh and keel
and the interior of the wreck that the
Maine explosion was due to foul play.
AS TO whether by a torpedo or a sub
marine mine, doubts may be left Not
much proof can be gathered by the
naval board concerning the persons
who We're in the conspiracy.
The Spanish authorities are in q bet
ter position TO determine the matter.
The Spanish divers have been work
ing cry slowly. They have been Civ
ing more attention to the coal bunkers,
apparently, than to any other portions
of the wreck. They have made moth
ing more than a superficial eXamina-
ton Of the hull 1t seems to be under
stood hat the Spanish Admiralty Board
in its official investigation is finding
little evidence to give plausible support
to the theory of accident. This dis
tinctiOn from positive proof of an eX-
ternal explosion it may not be able to
ignore.
There is clearly less confidence in Off
cial circles than during the period when
the declarations of accident were made
by General Blanco The Spanish in
quiry proceeds in leisurely fashion. II
may be long time before conclusion
is reached. This Will be no reason for
long delay by the Naval Board.
Under other conditions, the Internal
policies of Cuba viii be exciting for
recent developments have been signifi=
cant. The radical autonomists hav-
ing failed in their plan of coaxing the
insurgents, a reaction has come. The
intransigeants now dominate the Gov
ernment's policy. The divided auto
nomist Cabinet is not a factor in the
situation. Senior GOWNS resignation
from the Cabinet has been demanded
by some of the violent intransigeants,
because of his radical utterances in
favor of more concessions to the insur-
gents, but the demand is not pressed.
The Cabinet is now powerless to with
stand pressure. The Weylerites and
UItra-Spanish classes and volunteers
are supreme.
An official assurance by General Blan-
co and Premier Sagasta that the Gov
ernment has no intention of disarming
them tells only half the story Here
after there will be more aggressiveness
in interfering in the affairs of the Gov
ernment. They may hurry it along
into action before the Madrid Cabinet
is ready The volunteers, as a class,
are filled with ignorant hostility toward
the United States. Their movements
hereafter will bear watching
Senator Proctor, who has been visit
ing places near Havana. is going to Sa-
qua and possibly to other parts of San
ta Clara province. He is in no hurry
to return to Washington. Apparently
Senator Proctor has formed o favora-
bic impression of Spanish rule in Cuba.
He is inquiring especially into the eco
nonlic conditions.
American relief, after much misman-
agement is finally reaching the starv-
ing people in the country for whom It
was meant.