The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-03-31
War or Peace ?

The Spanish question is still unsettled
but according to latest reports with a
possibility of a peaceful solution, al
though both countries continue vigorous
preparations for war. A summary of the
report OF the Court of Inquiry on the DIES
uuetion of the battleship Maine is given
destroyed by the explosion of a subma
rine mine, but does not fix the response
bilty upon any person or persons. The
accompanying evidence is conclusive as to
the external agency employed to destroy
the ship. In transmitting the report of
the Court of Inquiry and the evidence to
Congress President Mckinley sent mes
sage in which all the circumstances are
calmly and dispassionately reviewed, and
concludes with these words:
l have directed that the finding of the
Court of Inquiry and the views of this
Government thereon be communicated to
the Government OF Her Majesty, the Queen
Regent, and l do not permit myself to
U
ish nation will dictate a course of action
suggested by honor and the friendly re-
lations of the two Governments.
1t will be the duty OF the Executive to
advise the Congress of the result. and in
the meantime deliberate consideration is
invoked.
The spanish naval commission which
investigated the destruction of tie Maine
have made report, synopsis of which
was given to the press so that it ap-
peared with the report of our Court
Of Inquiry, in which they arrived at
a directly opposite conclusion, finding
that the Maine was destroyed by an inter-
nal explosion. This was perhaps to be
expected but with the overH helming evil
dence on our side to the contrary this
Spanish report will receive no credence
anywhere, and is an unimportant factor
in the questions at issue.
As Indicated some time since the Presi-
dent makes no demand for indemnity for
the destruction of the Maine; but his
words above quoted are significant in this
connection. The crime is laid at the door
of Spain, and it IS lett TO her ''sense of
justice and honor to make amends
Probably she will make none but her
standing among civilized nations will not
be improved by such course. On this
side the Maine matter seems to be grad
Cfj IN WI not
Sidered the graver questions involving
the fate of the Cuban people. Con-
gress is FESTIVE, and disposed to substi-
tute action for diplomacy. The Bos-
ton Journals Washington special says
1t may be said broadly that the entire
Democratic Party in the House, and at
least two thirds of the Republican mem
bers have made up their minds to course
of vigorous action in case there are any
limitations of delay beyond the pre-
sent week in the settlement of the Cuba1
problem.
Three resolutions We're Introduced in
the Senate Tuesday looking to Cuban in
dependence, by Senators Rawlins, Foraker
and Frye, and were referred to the foreign
relations committee. NJ. Frye's resolu-
ton lecites the conditions in Cuba and
directs the President, in his discretion, to
take steps to drive the naval and military
forces of Spain rom the island of Cuba
and to secure the complete independence
of the island. Senator Mason followed
the Introduction of the resolutions with a
vigorous war speech He described WILDLY
the disaster t. the Maine He said that
if 80 of the victims had been senators OF
sous Of senators we would not have been
40 days declaring war, yet the lives of all
American citizens were sacred alike under
our law and equally entitled to consider
alton. Nj. Mason said the catastrophe
should be replied to vigorously. He could
not speak for others, but for himself he
was for wal This declaration brought
out vigorous outburst of applause from
the galleries. A like den onstration was
expected in the House yesterday; and at
this writing it looks as though war will
De the result