The herald., 1898-03-02
NO INTIMATION GIVEN
OF RESULTS OF THE MAINE
INQUIRY
LONGS PERSONAL OPINION
Is That the Element Of Spanish Re-
sponsibility Has Already Been
Eliminated
Associated Press Special Wire


Associated Press Special Wire
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The meet
ing Of the Cabinet today, at which all of
the members were present, disclosed the
fact that the government is still with
out news regarding the cause Of the dis
aster to the Maine. UP to this time the
Court Of Inquiry has not indicated In
any way the trend Of investigation. The
President and the members of the Cab
met are as completely in the dark as to
what the evidence SO far adduced dis
closes as they were on the day after
the explosion.
The truth Of this statement Ia vouched
for by authority not to be questioned.
1t Is explained that, under the peculiar
circumstances Of the case Captain Sigs-
bee would not communicate his theories
or knowledge of the facts to anyone ex-
cept the Court conducting the inquiry.
Consul-General Lee would be guided
by the same considerations. In any event
neither of these officers has communi-
Gated to the government anything bear
issue. The court itself has been equally
communicative, and nothing Is ex-
pected from this source until the inquiry
is completed and the findings sent to
the Secretary Of the Navy. Nor has any
intimation been received as to the prob
able time which the inquiry will con-
sumo. At today's meeting, the Cabinet
discussed a number of the theories
<Jxyav IN Hf,
cause of the explosion, but nothing ap-
preaching a definite conclusion was
reached.
Another matter which engaged the
attention Of the Cabinet was the murder
recently of the colored postmaster and
his infant child. at Lake City, s. c., by a
mob of hundred or more white men.
1t was remarked by a member of the
Cabinet after the close Of the meeting
that this most heinous crime had been
passed by almost unnoticed in the ex-
citement caused by the wreck of the
Maine. and that thoughtful men might
profitably give share Of their atten-
ton to this great wrong committed by
our people.
Following the Cabinet meeting report
was circulated that Secretary Long had
stated that the element Of Spanish re-
sponsibility has been eliminated from the
incident of the disaster to the Maine.
When Secretary Long returned to the
Navy Department, a representative of
the Associated Press asked him con-
cerning this alleged statement. He said
that his expression had been of the most
casual character. The expression was
based entirely upon his personal judg-
ment and did not spring from any evil
dence or information in his possession.
He further said that there was mater
ial abatement of excitement over the
subject Of the Maine.
Mr.. Long added that his reference to
Spain's responsibility was that the ques-
tion of any official participation by the
Spanish government in the destruction
of the Maine was practically eliminated,
in his judgment. He desired to have II
made clear that this was his personal
view on the subject.
TIRED OF SUSPENSE
NEW YORK, March 1.-OMcials of
the government are praying for relief
from a strain which they cannot en-
dure much longer. 1t is not encouraging
when officers Of high rank in the army,
who deplore the Maine catastrophe as
deeply and as sincerely as do the Ameri-
can people, begin to demand that if the
United States intends to make the dis
aster a cause for going to war, it shall
do so quickly, says the Havana CORES
pondent of the Tribune.
These expressions do not represent the |
settled convictions of those by whom
they are uttered. They are the utter
ances of men overburdened with anxiety
and uncertainty. In their calmer mo- |
ments, these officers would be the first |
to accept the mediation Of the United |
States as the best means of helping
Spain out of her desperate situation in |
Cuba.
Under the present strain, they do ac-
cept it. They complain that the |
thorough and comprehensive investiga-
tion which the Naval Court of Inquiry |
is making is too slow and they profess |
to believe that instead Of impartial in
to learn the facts the court |
is seeking to make out a case of foul |
play. These are representatives of the |
arm of the government who do |
not believe anything of the kind; they |
only talk to relieve their overburdened |
minds.
Ifthe clouds which the Maine disaster
has thrown over the relations of Spain |
and the United States were cleared away
the international complications would |
not be lessened. The loss of the Am
erican warship and it's crew had nothing
to do with the series of minor military
successes which the insurgents are gain
ing in all parts of the island. That is
due to the decentralization of the Spanish
troops. Gomez keeps almost within
range of the railroad and the telegraph
in Santa Clara Province. He could not
do so If Spain were able to carry on an
campaign. The So called crisis
In the autonomists' cabinet is another
thing with which the United States has
nothing to do.
The crisis is not dangerous one, be-
cause Gown and his radical colleagues
nave the secret support of the Sagasta
ministry. Galvez, Montoro and Zayas,
who are all that remain Of the conserya-
i've autonomists, may not indorse the
plan to open negotiations with the in
surgents and to offer Gomez place in
Lne cuban government, but their resig-
natlons are not expected The Sagasta /
Ministry approves the scheme OF max
Ing further concessions to the insurgents
and with this knowledge. members Of
Inc autonomist cabinet who disapprove
It are likely to be passive.
The Junta In New York has aIreoay
rejected the proposition. That is not
so important as the repudiat tio, 30 +L