The sun., 1898-02-20
ANXIETY IN WAsHINGToM
The Excitemeat OF tho Paat Few Daya Sac
ceeded by Painful Suspense.

Tho Exciteu,eat OF tho Past Few Maya Sac
ceedea by Painful Suspense.
WARRINGTON, Fob. 10.-washinRton has boen
for the past four days in q state Of unrest and
excitement unparalleled since the assassination
OF President Garfield. The excitement 10 pass
ing away now. and It is succeeded by q con-
dition OF painful suspense. Every possible incl
dent Of the terrible disaster In Havana harbor
last Tuesday night 10 known, and now the pub
lie waits only TO learn the cause. Little or moth
ing Of interest or Importance remains to be told
as to the disaster and its direct results and the
capital Is settling down to walt as patiently as
possible for the verdict of tho Board of Inquiry.
Not word was said in Congress to-day with
reference to the nll.absorblng topic that has
shocked tho civilized world and brought tho
country to the verge Of war. The Senate was
not In session and In the House NO Mason arose
to arouse the indignant wrath Of those who
think that patriotic Americans should uphold
the Administration inkits polioy Aof ascertain-
Hine tire cause OF the dcstruction uf tho
Maine before Furnishing those who may
bo responsible for 1t. 1t does not fol-
low by any means that because Wolcott
and Lodge and Hale and other members Of the
United States Senate rebuke such utterances az
those of tho Illinois Senator that they believe
that Spanish treachery is not responsible for the
death Of the American sailors. Indaod Mr.
Wolcott, In his eloquent and passionate
appeal to the loyalty and good sense OF
the Senate and tho country, plainly ex-
pressed his opinion that tho signs of war
arc unmistakable. He merely appealed for O
suspension OF judgment until the facts could be
brought to light. That his words met q
prompt response In the hearts Of the people is
shown by tho approval of his speech every.
where and the resulting silence of those few
Nl.A NtN,.aNa ata
Mason as they were uttered.
Secretary Longs statement to the public. fol-
lowing close upon tho heels of Senator VOL.
colts speech. has been accepted as convincing
proof that the Administration Is sincere in Its
endeavor to faBten upon the Spanish Govern.
ment the guilt for the destruction OF the Maine,
II the guilt belongs to them. and the concerted
attempt that was being made in q certain class
of newspapers to prove that the Secretary was
the spaniaFds through fear fell to pieces To-
day the Secretary had little to add to his
After a protracted conference with the Presi
dent, Assistant Secretary Day has sent to Con.
sul-leneral Lee nt Havana polite but peremp-
thoritles that they be permitted to take part in
the investigntIon to ascertain the cause of the
This action Of tho Secretary was promptly
published broadcast. and the traducers OF the
ssa The tSo
Maine was accidental. Secretary Long does not
claim any knowledge S except I TIE expert views Of
In his opinion there is absolutely no evi
dence that tao sPaniArdS ,hs had Ia hand in
the fact OF the explosion ,justifee a grave
suspicion against tho enemies Of the United
saspicion We'll grounded, the spanish Govern.
viii 5s so%peled Ito to yf prompt and
the discharged Minister. ,Dupuy Dc LONE
This same sort Of action also will be taken In
oe ee tSe Ss'' spanish Legation IN this ''SHS c.H'
II it shall 30 found that he made the remarks
paper charging that the discipline upon, ,Ameri-
can warships 70 lax and inshective. and claim.
the tss hS
of the United states into mourning The State
ais{s 70 ascertain I %hstSsr Lieut. sohrsi msae
the statements attributed to him. II he admits
incident" calling for prompt settlement.
The Administrstion at Washington have been
zcns in this trying crisis. as exomplihed IN moro
ways than one, and IN NO way more strikinRly
as
the ' American metropOis to-day The mn most tell eab
hs'e the % cosTa possible H
suit or Injury, but, no protection has been
the President and the member Of his Cabinet
that the Spanish ship win be permitted to re-
main in the waters OF New York Bay as long as
her way unmolostod: That much is due. they
think to ,h wheh his Is ph fi,rsndy terms
Unless tho condition OF dispassionate expec-
| fancy to which Washington hRs finally drlftod
that will require him to be at his desk every
moment Of his waking hours. as he has
President will go to Philadelphia Mon.
| day night. He has an engagement to ad-
dress the faculty and students OF the University
! "Pennsyivania Day" and has prepared speech
| 70 DELIVER on that occasion. President, MeKin:
| the Florida coast, on Thursday next to gain a
few days rest, as the guest Of Secretary Bilss,
It Is not thought likely. however. that this visit
will hA mAda.