New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-21
OPINION IN HAVANA.
OFFICERS ANXIOUS FOR DEFINITE IN
FORMATION.

VARIOUS IDEAS AS TO rHE CAUSE OF THE FIX
PLOsIoN-sPANIsH OFFICIAL COURTESY
CAPTAIN srGsBEE THINKS THAT
THE INVESTIGATION WILL
DE FINISHED IN
SI4REE DAYS
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIHUNEI
Havana, Feb 10. via Key West, Feb. 20
The bad aspects Of the Maine explosion are not
improved by the progress Of the investigation
which is yet in its first stage. Some simple
truths must be stated. The Spanish authorities
do not cooperate with promptness and hearth
ness. Their refusal TO permit divers to
examine the wreck except officially in
dorsed by Captain Sigsbee Is perhaps justi-
fable. but the other delays vexatious.
and every hour has increased the difficulty
Of learning the facts. The arrival OF the
regular divers Of the Navy Department on the
Bache this morning and Captain Sigsbees Off
ciay commissioning them, surmOunted the diff
ficulty, and the search for bodies proceeds
The Maine is actually In ribbons. but enough
Of the vessel remains to make possible deter
mination of whether the explosion came from
without or from within The officers Of the Maine
DO not publicly discuss the theory of a sub
marine mine which may have been set or by
explosion but 1t evidently has weight with
them. They are particularly anxious for points
TO be gathered from the examination of the
plates of the hull. Their belief is that these
will have TO establish whether the explosive
force came from without not The nature
OF the damage to the port side has not been
fully settled but the weight Of opinion seems
to be that the hole made by an external
explosion.
THE SUBMARINE NINE THEORY
Captain Sigsbee thinks that the investigation
10 be made by him will be completed in three
days. and the result laid before the Court of
Inquiry. Special pains seem to be taken to
gather facts which would help to establish
whether or not the destruction could have been
caused by submarine mine. The Spanish au-
thorities have an advantage this point, for
they know whether the torpedo system in the
harbor has actual existence. and whether sub
marine mines laid. but II is not expected
tha, they will d sclose the secrets Of the Ha-
vana defences to aid foreign investigation. Some
persons believe that a plot was carried out by
Weyler's partisans. and that the secrets were
disclosed to conspirators by the officials who
were with Weyler and who. during his in
cumbency through their official position be-
came possessed Of the information. All this is
pure speculation, without basis in fact. Its
only significance Is that the matter should be
discussed at all. The Names officers, while not
denying the possibility of an accident, continue
10 show that many theories which state
ments of accident based are untenable
They do not share the Spanish Admrars eff
hand confidence that the explosion came from
within. 1t is we'll for everybody 10 await the
official investigation before accepting that con-
cusion.
PALACE OFFICIALS ANXIOUS.
Captain General Blanco and the Palace of1-
cias show every official courtesy. Their sin
cerity is undoubted; is their anxiety.
spcciel effor. is being made TO discourage talk
OF the explosion being otherwise than acct
dental
The newspapers give prominence TO dis
patches saying that It is recognized in the
United States that the casualty purely an
accident. Prominence is also given TO Madrid
dispatches quoting Sagasta and other Spanish
statesmen to the effect that sympathy in sor-
row has caused friendly feeling between Spain
and the United States.
UNFRIENDLY FEELING SHOWN.
Notwithstanding these assurances from
abroad a painful impression Is caused In Cuba
bv the knowledge that a considerable element
among the Spanish classes reioices with little
secrecy over the disaster. If instances were
isolated 1t would not be important Cnfortu-
nately the verified cases are too many to sup
port this charitable view. In several places
Spanish Army officers have drunk 70 tOass that
other vessels OF the American Navy may follow
the Maine In Matanzas. where mutterngs
were heard at the time Of the Montgomery s
visit the Intransigente newspaper La Region"
publishes an article saying in substance that
the calamity to the Maine was n judgment on
o. limo lin,
as IAN afectionate sign Of sympathy toward
the suffering and heroic Spanish nation" The
tone is one OF mingled sarcasm and mock con-
dolence In a frequented restaurant in Ha-
vana last night on the bill OF fare was Chicken
A In Maine" This indicates the feeling OF
part Of the populace, especially or the Volun-
toers While aware Of these manifestations.
Captain Sigsbee and COnsul-General Lee concur
in advice against sending further war vessels
TO Havana at present.
SPAIN EXPECTS BETTER RELATIONS.
-,,,. GRIP p-ypFi-TED INCREASE