The Topeka state journal., 1898-02-21

MERELY A FL
ere of seamen visiting it's port
Rochester, N. Y, Herald.
If Spain sought war, she could have
it on easier terms; it is in her power to
begin. Let US wait until the Facts are
known with tolerable certainty that
there is no cause for war in the disas
ter.-Milwaukee Journal
Meantime all talk of war is out of
place It is morally impossible to i'm
agine the Spanish government reSpOn-
sible, even to the extent of cOnnivance,
for the destruction of a warship OF
friendly power in one of it's own ports.
Boston Post.
Realizing the gravity of the situation.
we must await with what patience We
can the report of the investigation Al
ter that our course will be clear, and
the honor of the United States will not
suffer.-Kansas City Times.
Should it prove that the Maine, lying
in the harbOr of a peaceful nation, was
destroyed by treachery, war IS new
table Mr.. Mckinley may not have suf-
ficient backbone even to resent an Of
fense so gross as this, but war in TINS
country is declared by the congress. In
this case the loss of the Maine 10 the
United States would inevitably mean
the loss of Cuba to Spain.-NeW orleans
Times-DemOcrat.
If our men must perish, is it not bet
ter that they shall perish in fair and
tins of mystery, treachery or 1nactlon :!
We believe the Mckinley adnlnlstra-
ton could take action that WOuld emu
the war in short order W III II HdNe
the courage to do h?-MlnneapollS
Tribune.
There are no relieving features to the
horror. The whole story IS one aWIuI
7oictllre of the unforeseen and unaccOunt-
able 1t will not be surprising II the
real cause shall never be known.-Bu1ra- a
10 Express. .
relation to the Cuban question is be-
coming more rapid, and as surely must
the deveIODine climax be drawing near
er to which these events are IeadlnS'
mis- climax may vet prove to be
peaceful one as it is to be hoped lhal At
may, but it would be an unduly cheer-
full view of the situation at present 70
say that the outlook IS growing. I5- pII5lIo-
er for that kind of a climaX.-RltISDur
Commercial Gazette.
Let us pray that the accidental ma
tlIre of the explosion may be demon
strated Let every American pray for
this-but yet more let every SpanIard
pray for it!-St. Paul Pioneer Press
There is no wisdom in making threats
or casting suspicious which may be un-
lust or in coming to any conclusion un-
til searching inquiry is made Inc nod-
Grafton of Captain Sigsbee, the com
mander of the Maine, is TO De com
mended by everyone who values the
peace. the welfare and the honor of his
country-NIi Evening Wiscon-
Disasters like that of the Maine are
inevitable if a nation multiplies its fleet
of modern warships with their intricate
possibilities of destruction. If the Maine
is the first of American men-Of-War TO
be lost from disaster apparently self
inflicted, it is because our navy mas
had a happier and more fortunate rec
ord than the English, the German, tne
Spanish and other natiOns.-Philadel-
phia Press.
1t is unquestioned that there is strong
sentiment in Spain against the united
States What it may result in IS du-
bious The SpaniardS appear to believe
that the United States seek war and
the Spanish minister is having a hard
time to persuade them to the contrary
Meanwhile all we can do is to await
developments, keep our powder dry and
our navy afiOat Boston Traveller.
The situation and circumstances at
tending the horrible catastrophe seem
to indicate conspiracy and treachery.
The explosion of a powder magazine on
the inside of such vessel would be
far more apt to blow hole in the deck
or roof than in the bOttom.-Columbus
COhiO) Press.
It is this great loss of life that will
especially stir the nation. The loss of
the Maine is a secondary consideration.
The American sailor has always proved
himself equal to every emergency, and
the sinking of the Maine offered no ex-
ception to the rule.-Ohio State Journal
Until the mystery of the appalling
catastrophe shall be cleared up there
will be many miSgiv1ngS about the safe
ty of these great war machines on the
waters Nebraska State Journal.
1t will not be enough to learn that
the ship was destroyed by an internal
explosion. The vital question will be
whether or not the disaster came from
an Internal machine introduced in the
coal bunkers or one of the magazines.
1t may not be possible ever to decide
this point satisfactorily, but no pains
should be spared to find the truth
Cleveland Leader
In the waters of Havana harbor the
bodies of nearly 300 American sailors
now bear dread witness to the folly OF
a vigorous foreign policy" began too
late.-St. Louis Republic.
Until something occurs to compel US
to discredit the sincerity, justice and
honor require US to receive in good
faith the protestatiOns and expressions
! of sympathy which emanate from the
Spanish peOple-DetrOit Free Press.
Between the "Old IronsiGes' that has
stayed on top of the water for nearly
{ 100 years and the new iron clads that
go down like a broken kettle under a
hard blow from without or within. the
) sailors will begin to think the ribs of
OAK preferable.-New York World.
All Americans are deeply and sincere
ly sorry for the brave men who lost
their lives on the Maine ana svmpathize
with the friends and relatives of those
who died But we believe that feelings
| so commendable will lead few Ameri-