Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-25
Officials Deceive Spanish Public as to
Result Of Investigation.
TRY TO UPHOLD ACCIDENT THEORY
When the Truth is Known Out.
break is Likely to Follow.
PROGRESS OF THE INQUIRY
Copyright, 1895. by Chas. N. PepperD
.cial Cablegram From a StafY Corresnondent

Copyright, 1885 by Chns. NJ PepperD
Special Cabegram From stsn Correspondent.
HAVANA, February "a. via Key West.
Fla, February 25-Eforts 10 aliay public
sentiment regarding the Maine disaster by
intimidation may be well meant, but the
policy is mistaken one. especially az an
piled to the Spanish public
The apparent policy now is to create the
impression that the naval court made un-
expected discoveries which change previous
opinions and support the theory OF accj.
dent.
These rumors accumulate I'm Havana
They may reach the United States 1 do
not imagine the American people are show
ing any lack of self-restraint which makes
1t necessary to deceive them. IL the court
OF inquiry should ultimately report an ac-
cident as the cause of the Maine disaster
that report should be accepted unqualified
ly' no matter what preconceived opinions
may have been. But I'm a dispasslonate
statement of the news it must be said that
no evidence has yet been produced chang
ing the indications of foul play. The bet
ter policy would be to let the Spanish pub
lie in Cuba and Spain know the probable
tiles than to continue deceit. They must
learn some time.
Less Fearful Of Outbreak.
officials seem less fearful of an outbreak
of the populace than formerly. by the
time the report on the Maine disaster is
made public both the vizcaya aud the
Cquendo warships will be in port.
The government places more reliance on
navy than army officers. 1t will also have
loyal troops on which dependence can be
placed. IL Spain shows willingness to
make reparation there is consequently a
possibility that the Maine disaster will not
lead to war, and that an outbreak I'm Ha-
vaLa may be prevented. 1t is simply
possibility, not a probability, but IL Is
worth consideration.
CHAs. M. PEPPER.
Discussing War Probabilities.
HAVANA, via Port Tampa, Fla. Feb
ruary 24.-Americans in Cuba are now dis
cussing war probabilities I'm its personal
aspects. They do not know positively that
the naval board of inquiry will report that
the Maine was blown UP. They only think
SO from what they have heard Those
who have lived here years and who un-
derstand Spanish character think that if the
trouble does come II will not follow a reg
ular sequence of events. beginning with q
formal demand from the administration
for reparation from Spain: Spain's refusal
on the ground that the charge of conspir-
acy is not proven: a report from the Pres
ident to Congress. and finally a resolution
OF Congress formally declaring war.
believe that as the procedure is laid
down in the books the consul general and
the consuls on the island would be given
notice to withdraw. American citizens
would have time to close up their affairs.
and when everybody was ready the guns
would be fied That is, II the guns are to
be fired. II is comfortable method 1t
would be in accordance with the digniied
consideration the United States has acs
corded Spain since the revolution began
at some expense to the country's prestige
and some loss of life by starvation and
otherwise to the unfortunates on the
island.
How War Would Come.
But no Americans in Havana OF other
foreigners expect IT to come about that
way. They think il there is to be war It
will come sharply through an unlocked.
for accident, possibly In the harbor OF
Havana, perhaps of Key West. They ap-
pear to look en- political demonstration
in Madrid CT in this city as more the likely
means of bringing on a conflict through
its influence on the Spanish army or navy
officers. Some Americans here refuse TO
become alarmiStS. ThCy declare no war
will arise because the United States Will,
by show of strength, make the ignorant
people and the scarcely less ignorant ONE
cisls and army classes understand that the
day Of forbcarance is past. These men be-
lieve that upon the Spaniards OF this type,
when they know an active hand, without
pretense Of velvet covering, II to stretch
forth to clutch them by the throat, the
threatened outbreak win not come and the
Sagasta ministry will not be forced into
war. These Americans even think that
peace is sure and that within thirty days
Spain will be availing herself Of the good
offices Of the United States in arranginn
terms with the insurgents.
BASED on Commercial Mems Views,
They base this on the opinion so largely
held by the commercial classes that Amer
lean Intervention and that the bankers Of
Europe will prevent Spain from going to
war in order to lose Cuba with HONOR
They also believe that the Gagesta nlinis-
try fs educating the Spanish people to an
OF the real condition here
~ its acceptance of the radical autono-
mists' programs for further concessions to
The insurgents. These concessions. when
all answered. are substantially that Spain
Ihau keep tho nag. tho forts, the army
md the war vessels ana the Cubans shau
have everything else. On paper Il 70 Q
Dood schsma It might havc been accepted
Two ysars aso. Now the insurgents Der.
1eaf nAxotat1ons 10 ha oDens1 oaly for the