The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-02
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But There Were No New Develop
ments Brought to Light.

WASHINGTON, Mar 1.-The main
the Maine inquiry centered in a state
ment by Secretary Long, following the
Cabinet meeting, that in his personal
opinion any official participation by the
Spanish Government in the blowing up
of the Maine was now practically elm
mated from the situation. This state
ment was not of formal or official
character, and was made by Mr.. Long
as he walked away from the White
House
AS usual. the various Cabinet officers
We're besieged with inquiries as to the
question before the meeting. aud in re-
spouse to these opportunities the Sec
rotary rather casually summed up the
situation in a few words, stating that
most of the time had been given to sige
outrages on colored Postmasters in the
South Naturally the Cuban situation
had been gone over. he said, but there
were no actual developments, and he
felt that public excitement on the sub
ject had materially abated. Then he
added the statement, in the same pass
ing way, that any participation by the
Spanish Government; in the blowing UP
of the Maine was practically eiiminat-
ed, in his judgment.
This last remark was speedily given
wide circulation, apart from the quiet
ing references which had accompanied
it. 1t Immediately started much com
ment and discussion. and when Mr..
Long returned to the Navy Department
after lunch he found that what he had
intended to convey was being given the
force of an official declaration that
SPANS responsibility for the disaster
had been eliminated. In order to make
clear his meaning. as a personal ex-
preston OF opinion, Mr.. Long dictated
the following statement:
The main things we talked about IN
Cabinet were the outrages on the Post
masters. one white man in Georgia,
and one a colored man in South Caro-
lima.
I'm regard to the Cuban situation, I
said thought things We're growing quiz
eter every day. and as far as my judg-
ment went, / was inclined to think that
any official participation on the part Of
the Spanish Government in the disaster
was now practically eliminated
The foregoing conveyed all that Mr.
Long desired 10 say on the subject,
and this much was given only to Off
set enlarged versions of what he had
said. Persons occupying the closest
relations with the Secretary said that
the opinion expressed was such as any
one might give with the-.>>ts now at
hand. II was not In any sense, it was
explained. a conclusion drawn from
new evidence not made public either
from the Court OF Inquiry or any officer
now concerned in the inquiry
Neither facts nor limitations have
come from such sources. it is said at
the Department, which would serve as
the base of an opinion. The only
declaration of Senior Dubosie. the Span
ish Charge d Affaires, that no mines
nor submarine defenses exist in the
harbor Of Havana. had come to the at
tention OF Secretary Long. and this
statement from the authorized repre-
sentative of the Spanish Government
was felt 10 have been given its due
weight In the opinion expressed by the
Secretary. 1t was pointed out by per-
sons bearing close relations with The
Secretary that the language used was
official participation on the part OF
the Spanish Government.
This. it was said, had no bearing on
the question of SPANS responsibility.
The official participation of Spain was
one thing. While the responsibility in
case the disaster proved TO be Of eN-
ternal origin Was quite another thing.
The Secretary's statement was re-
stricted. it WAS explained. 10 excul-
pating Spain from direct official knowl-
edge and participation in the affair. In
case 1t was shown that the act was due
to some fanatic or person not con-