The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-02-28
Copyrighted. 1898, by James Gordon Bennett

Copyrighted, 1898, by James Gordon Bennett.
HAVANA, Feb. 81 completed to-
day hurried journey from New York
to within few feet of the battered de-
bris of the Maine, over which floats at
half-maSt the stars and stripes, and
from Jersey City to the pier where l
took a rowboat in Havana harbor l
heard one topic alone discussed. the
Maine and discussed by men in many
walks of life On the way to join the
staff of Herald reporters here l noticed
that in the Southern States, especially,
there is a tendency to become impa-
tient of what, rightly or wrongly, is
considered the delay Of the United
States Government in taking definite
action. l found that despite the ad-
vice of many of the foremost Amerl-
cans to suspend judgment and the OBJ
vious impossibility of action by the
Government before the board OF in
curry completes its work. many South
erners were inclined to believe the pro-
longed inquiry is evidence of hesitancy
rather than determination to be right
before going ahead.
This attitude l found surprisingly
general among railroad men and others
with whom ! talked on the way from
New York to the wreck itself, and
could but recall their 'earnestness in the
matter when l saw the wreck and
Chaplain. Chadwick among the cotrlns
awaiting the spoil of busy divers. l re-
port a condition and make no deduc-
TONS
There seems no doubt tonight that
while to-day's evidence before the
board was the most positive and m
portant yet lin line with the relations
concerning the position of the bottom
plates made in Fridays Herald. the re-
suit of investigation will not reach the
American people officially for consid-
cradle time This fact, taken in con-
nection with the growing impotence,
noticed during the journey and among
Americans here, leads to the Dellef tnat
interest in the cause Of the Maine dls-
aster will increase rather than subSlde
because of the prolonged session of the
hoard and the delay in an official ex-
PLANTATION of the means by which the
American crew were killed. The fact
Is that enough of the evidence heard
sence to convince many beyond doubt
that the ship was anchored over SUP
marine mine and that she swung safely
from her buoy till the very night when
conditions Of wind and tide placed her
fairly over the explosives.
OF course, there is absolutely no d.
rect evidence yet to prove who, II any
were in the plot to destroy the snip ana
crew and as to who assumed the un-
speakable responsibility of causing the
explosion. Few expect that any such
evidence, at least Of a trustworthy
character. will be adduced by the in
quiry at this time.
l heard to-day group OF Americans
talk as they looked at the wreck In
the harbor, and one. in explaining the
necessity for caution on Mckinley s
part and the possibility Of war with
Spain precipitating a general conflict
involving Europe, said, pointing to the
Maine:
Ewes of thinking men all over the
world are now directed toward that.
twisted iron and that flag at half
mast"
The evidence regarding the upheaval
of the keel. reported by the Herald, is
regarded here as overshadowing ali
previous information in significance,
and the daily proceedings Of the board
tend to give it greater Importance.
Demonstrations are likely to follow
the arrival of the Vizcaya from New
York She is expected on Monday, and
will be hailed joyously by the Spanish
as the first Of the powerful fleet soon
due in Havana harbor, which is to in
clude, besides the Alfonso XIII. now
here. the Vizcaya's sister ship, Almi-
rante Oquendo and the Christobal Co.