The _Maine_ disaster is to the public almost as much of a mystery as
ever. Little of absolutely reliable information has been made known, and
until something is officially stated by the court of inquiry, judgment
must be suspended.
The court of inquiry began the investigation almost immediately after
its arrival at Havana. The sittings were held on the lighthouse tender
_Mangrove_, and lasted for a number of days; the court then adjourned to
Key West.
The investigation has been a secret one throughout, and though the
numerous correspondents have done their best to obtain information, very
few facts have been ascertained; and fact and fiction have been so mixed
in the newspaper accounts that it is not safe to accept as final any of
the statements.
In some foreign papers it has been hinted that the disaster resulted
from an accident due to lack of discipline on board the vessel. The
utter falseness of this statement is shown by the facts. Just think of a
crew, or what was left of it, mustering without confusion on the deck of
a sinking, burning vessel, and this vessel likely to be blown to pieces
at any moment! Could any better evidence of perfect discipline and
heroism be given? Every man took his place without comment; each order
was given quietly and coolly, and obeyed with precision. Is it possible
that an accident could have happened on that ship through lack of
discipline?
Of course, many of the newspaper accounts have more or less foundation
in fact, for no effort is spared by their correspondents to be the first
to ascertain and report the truth. The general impression now seems to
be that no explosion in the ship originated the disaster.
One New York paper stated that the most important evidence was given by
an officer of the _Fern_, who is said to have discovered that the keel
and armor-plates of the _Maine_ had been driven upward, this proving in
his opinion that the explosion must have occurred under the vessel.
The correspondent of this paper also said that the ten-inch and six-inch
magazines were upset and hurled from their places in opposite
directions, and added that the forward boilers were overturned and
wrecked. There were no fires under these boilers at the time of the
explosion. Fires were under the after boilers only.
He added, that from the discoveries of the divers there was every
indication that the explosion came from a point beneath the keel, just
forward of the conning-tower, and that this explosion drove keel,
plates, and ribs almost to the surface, the main force of the explosion
having been exerted on the port side of the vessel.
According to this report, the ascertained facts, collectively, indicate
that the contents of the reserve six-inch magazine were exploded by the
first explosion, and that there was no explosion in either of the other
two magazines. In the reserve magazine was stowed twenty-five hundred
pounds of powder, in copper tanks, each of which contained two hundred
pounds.
Several of these tanks have been found by the divers, all in crushed and
shapeless masses. It is important to note that in the six-inch and
ten-inch tanks recovered the excelsior used for packing the charges
shows no injury from flame or gases.
The powder stowed in the six-inch reserve magazine was used for saluting
purposes only. The magazine itself appears to have been utterly
destroyed, only a few traces being left to show the spot where it was
once located.
The under part of the ten-inch magazine is wholly inaccessible to
divers. In the upper part is lightly wedged a mass of powder cylinders,
too heavy for divers to extricate, but apparently containing unexploded
charges of powder.
The Dow torpedo-tube of the _Maine_ has been located in the wreck. It
lies in the débris forward, submerged several feet under water. The
writer adds that these are the facts as he has obtained them from
sources that he believes to be entirely trustworthy and authentic.
The careful way in which the statement is worded shows how uncertain has
been the information relative to the testimony before the board of
inquiry. As a matter of fact, on the day when this article is being
written we are very much in the dark as to what information the inquiry
is really developing. The secrecy maintained by the board is, of course,
very necessary, for at this time it is most important that, until the
facts in the case are absolutely established, our Government should do
its best to keep back any news tending to inflame public opinion. An
unconsidered and hasty step by our authorities in this matter might
plunge us into war. It will be time enough for us to think of war when
we know beyond a reasonable doubt that we have been injured by Spain and
that Spain refuses to make amends for the loss. Even if the _Maine_ was
blown up by a mine, that does not by any means prove that the Spanish
Government was guilty of the dastardly act. If Spain does what is right
toward redeeming the loss, we will have no just cause for a declaration
of war, and our Government will without doubt use every honorable means
to avoid a conflict.
In connection with the _Maine_ disaster there was no greater example of
heroism than that of the chaplain, the Rev. John P. Chidwick,--"Father
John," as the sailors call him.
From the first he has devoted himself night and day to his
work--spending part of his time with the poor fellows maimed and dying
in the hospital, making their hours of suffering brighter, and from this
work turning to that still more difficult task, the identification of
the dead. He was one of the last to leave the vicinity of the wreck that
terrible night. It was only after the last sailor had been picked up
that he went ashore, and only then because he could be of assistance to
the poor fellows who were suffering. Greater heroism is required to face
such scenes of suffering and death as he had to face, than is necessary
to storm a fortress in time of battle. His name will never be forgotten.
Captain Sigsbee, too, has shown a wonderful amount of self-command in
this time of great trial. Cool and deliberate at the moment of the
disaster, he gave his orders with absolute self-possession, doing the
very best that could be done to save his ship and men. The magazines
were flooded to prevent further damage, and every available step was
taken with as much judgment as if he had had the same terrible
experience many times before. His first reports were worded with the
greatest care, for had he let slip one ill-advised remark it might have
plunged this country at once into the horrors of war. You will remember
his despatch, and how he advised the country to await facts before
forming a judgment. This despatch did more than anything else toward
making the proper investigation possible, and the final action will in
consequence be based upon facts carefully ascertained and deliberately
considered.
The latest news with regard to the movements of the board of inquiry is
that it went to Key West for a few days only, and with the intention of
returning to Havana for further sittings.
* * * * *
On February 23d, Secretary of War Long completed arrangements with the
Merritt and Chapman Wrecking Company, of New York city, and with the
Boston Towboat Company, to undertake to raise the _Maine_. It was agreed
that they were to be paid $1,371 a day for their work, $871 a day for
the use of their regular appliances, and $500 a day in addition for the
use of the great floating derrick _Monarch_. On the delivery in New York
of the hull of the wrecked vessel, $100,000 will be paid. It is,
however, provided in the contract that the total cost of the work shall
not exceed $200,000.
The question as to the amount of the indemnity to be paid for the
destruction of the _Maine_, in case Spain is held liable for the
disaster, has occasioned considerable comment in the press. It has been
asserted that the Government should demand at least $10,000,000, and
even so large an amount as $30,000,000 has by some been suggested as the
proper sum to be asked. The ship itself cost about $3,000,000, and the
fittings several millions more. The indemnity should, of course, cover
not only the material loss of the vessel, but the loss of life and the
injury done to our Government.
* * * * *
The divers at work on the wreck of the _Maine_ have been steadily
hampered by the difficult situation of the vessel. In the first place,
the hull is sinking into the mud at the rate of a foot a day, and a week
after the disaster the divers had to wade through mud up to their
waists. Then, too, the water is so dirty that they can hardly see below
the surface.
Nevertheless, they have succeeded in bringing up many valuables, among
others the paymaster's safe containing $2,700.
* * * * *
The opinion seems to be growing that we may never be able to discover
the cause of the disaster. The fact that the forward half of the ship
has been completely destroyed adds probability to this view. The after
half, however, is reported to be practically intact.
As for the submarine mines, it may be that their existence will also
remain problematical. A prominent naval officer has explained that such
mines consist merely of big metal cases filled with gun-cotton, and that
their explosion would blow them into atoms.
* * * * *
In spite of our sensational newspapers, which had done their best to
spread the "war scare," our country has acted in a thoroughly sensible
and praiseworthy manner in relation to the disaster of the _Maine_. The
best of our newspapers, moreover, had also shown a willingness to avoid
sensational news for the sake of encouraging peace. This shows that we
are a much less aggressive nation than we have hitherto been thought to
be.
In this connection it is worth while calling the attention of the
readers of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD to the immense influence that our
newspapers may exert at a time like this. If all of the papers had
behaved as disgracefully as some have done, we might now be really on
the verge of war.
In other words, it is of the highest importance to us as a nation, with
an absolutely free press, to have for journalists men and women who
possess not only ability, but character and discretion as well. So much
that was false was published in some of the papers that their reputation
for reliability has been entirely lost, and now no one pays very much
attention to what they say. They have certainly now a well-established
reputation as monumental liars, and this reputation will stick to them
for a long time to come.
* * * * *
In the minds of the public the question as to whether the _Maine_ was
blown up by accident or design seems to have reduced itself to the
question whether the harbor of Havana is fortified with subterranean
mines.
On this point some curious evidence has been presented by an American
citizen who has just returned from Cuba, where he has been for two years
in the employ of a large importing house. His name is J. P. Sherman, and
he is a native of Chicago. In an interview recently published in a New
York paper, he stated that it is a fact well known to residents of
Havana that its harbor was fortified with both torpedo and submarine
mines by order of General Weyler. Early last spring Captain-General
Weyler engaged the services of Charles A. Crandal, an American torpedo
expert, formerly a member of the crew of the United States ship _San
Francisco_, to lay out the mine and torpedo service of the harbor of
Havana. Crandal worked at night, and during the time that he was in the
service of the Spanish Government he placed ten mines and seven
torpedoes in the harbor.
Crandal went to Havana in the latter part of 1895, and was employed by
his firm as a packer. He stated that he had served as a marine and diver
on the United States cruiser _San Francisco_, while Capt. W. T. Sampson,
now president of the _Maine_ board of inquiry, was in command of that
vessel.
Crandal left their employ in May of last year, and soon after said that
he had entered General Weyler's employ and was working on mines and
torpedoes.
When General Weyler left Havana the map showing the location of these
mines and torpedoes was transferred to the custody of a spy, known
throughout Havana as Captain del Pedrio, who was seen on more than one
occasion on board the battle-ship _Maine_ in his capacity as captain of
the harbor police.
The mines and torpedoes were connected with an electric firing plant in
the magazine diagonally across the channel from Morro Castle, and it
would have been one of the easiest things in the world for one of the
spies to have placed the switch and blown the _Maine_ out of the water.
Weyler received in July or August a consignment of ten large casks,
which Sherman himself saw in the Custom-House shed. Crandal told him
that these contained mines, which he claimed were to be placed on the
west side of the island to prevent filibustering. When Crandal had
completed his work of placing the mines and torpedoes in the harbor he
was retained in the Spanish service, but when General Weyler was
recalled he took Crandal to Madrid with him.
In contradiction of Sherman's statement, one of the Madrid newspapers
which is known to express the views of General Weyler declares that it
has the authority of one of the chiefs of the army, supposed to be
Weyler himself, for saying that there are no submarine mines beneath the
harbor of Havana.
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE GOVERNOR'S PALACE AT HAVANA.]
After staying for only a few days in the harbor of New York, the
_Vizcaya_ quietly sailed away to Havana.
Her departure was a great relief to our Government, not because she was
a menace to the safety of New York, but because it was feared that harm
might come to her while she was in American waters.
The presence of the vessel, however, in the greatest of our ports at so
critical a time made the War Department realize the importance of
protecting New York more carefully. So the United States monitor
_Terror_ was sent to New York harbor and will remain there for the
present. Work is being pushed on other war-vessels that are in the
shipyards for repair or in process of construction, as it is quite
possible that we may need our whole strength at any time.
* * * * *
Last week we referred to the report that a strong feeling was growing in
Washington in favor of putting an end to the Cuban war by having the
United States purchase Cuba.
The report has reached Spain and has brought out the following despatch
from a correspondent in Madrid:
"I have it on the highest authority that Spain will never, no matter
what government is in power, consider any such suggestion or any
compromise in Cuba beyond the broad measure of autonomy drafted by the
liberal government.
"This is an absolute, irrevocable decision. People who suggest anything
else are only wasting time and arousing unfounded hopes in the minds of
the rebels."
Spain's feeling whenever mention is made of possible interference in
Cuba by another power was lately shown by the indignation expressed in
Madrid at the report that Bismarck wanted the war to be settled by
arbitration. The Spanish Premier, Señor Sagasta, refused to believe the
rumor, and declared that "No one would dare to propose such an
absurdity," and that "No Spanish government would listen to or dream of
such a proposal."
In view of this news, the present attitude of Congress toward Cuba is by
no means reassuring. Many of the Republican Congressmen are strongly in
favor of passing the Senate resolution recognizing the belligerent
rights of the Cuban insurgents. This resolution was "shelved" some time
ago by being referred to the House Committee of Foreign Affairs. So warm
is the sentiment in favor of Cuba throughout the country, that many
members of the House of Representatives are said to believe that they
must pass a definite measure in support of the insurgents before
Congress adjourns.
* * * * *
It is reported that Consul-General Lee has been quietly advising the
American families in Havana to leave Cuba. On the other hand, we have
good authority for the statement that the captains of the American ships
in the harbor of Havana have been informed by our Government that they
are in no danger, and may, with assurance of safety, remain in the
harbor.
This is an example of the contradictory news that is constantly coming
to us from Cuba.
The fact remains, however, that there is in Havana a strong
anti-American feeling. The Spaniards seem to believe that we are not
sincere in our declarations that we do not want to interfere in the war
or to secure possession of the island.
The friends of General Weyler seem to be particularly hostile to us. It
is said that, in case the destruction of the _Maine_ is found to have
been caused by a plot, they will join forces with the other enemies of
the United States in Cuba and attack the Americans in Havana.
* * * * *
On February 26th, while King George of Greece was riding through the
streets of Athens with his daughter, the Princess Maria, two men fired
several shots at him. The driver of his carriage whipped up the horses
and the King escaped injury. One of the footmen was wounded in the arm.
King George displayed great bravery. As soon as the first shot was fired
he rose from his seat and stood between the Princess and the would-be
assassins.
It is supposed that the attack was due to the unpopularity which the
King acquired among many of his subjects during the late war between
Greece and Turkey. The King's escape, however, was made the cause of
great rejoicing and thanksgiving in Athens. From all parts of the
civilized world, too, telegrams of congratulation were sent to him.
King George is the second son of the King of Denmark, and brother of the
Princess of Wales. He was born in Denmark in 1845, and was elected in
1863 by the National Assembly at Athens to fill the vacancy in the
Greek throne. Four years later he married the Grand Duchess Olga, niece
of the late Emperor Alexander II. of Russia.
Until the Græco-Turkish war broke out, King George was one of the most
popular monarchs in Europe. He believed in a liberal form of government
and he lived in a very simple and democratic style. His wife, too, was
highly esteemed for her fine character and abilities. She soon became
known for her great love of the sea, and she is said to be the only
woman in any navy in the world who holds a commission as admiral.
When, about a year ago, King George defied Turkey and the great powers
of Europe in his brave defence of Crete, and actually went to war with a
power vastly stronger than his own little kingdom, he was applauded for
his courage in nearly every country of the civilized world. It was even
thought that Greece was on the verge of winning back her old glory.
But the result proved to be a bitter disappointment. The Greeks were
utterly routed, and King George and Crown Prince Constantine, his son,
were accused of having shamefully mismanaged the war. At one time it
looked as if the royal family would be driven from Greece. It was
reported also that King George intended to abdicate.
Since the close of the war, however, the King has appeared in some
measure to have strengthened his position in Athens. The attempt on his
life, however, suggests that the feeling against him among his people
must still be strong. It is reported that during the last few months
his life has been repeatedly threatened.
Two days after the attack was made on the King, one of his assailants,
while being searched for, gave himself up.
He proved to be an ignorant man named Karditza. It is thought that his
mind had been inflamed against King George by the severe criticisms made
on the King by some of the more violent newspapers in Athens. He has
made a confession showing that a conspiracy was formed by a political
society against the King's life.
A dynamite-bomb was discovered by the police near the spot where the
shooting took place.
* * * * *
England has maintained her firm position with regard to her claims in
Western Africa. She has informed France most emphatically that she does
not propose to be interfered with there as she was by the French
colonists in Madagascar.
She has practically persuaded France to agree that she shall have
absolute control of the Niger River. This means that the river will be
kept open to the commerce of the whole world.
It is said that at first Monsieur Hanotaux, the French foreign minister,
did not believe that Lord Salisbury would maintain his position in the
matter, and that this belief encouraged him to send the French troops
into Western Africa. But, with the assistance of Mr. Chamberlain, who is
a shrewd diplomatist as well as a man of nerve, Lord Salisbury held
firmly to his point.
It is now known that the difficulties have been practically settled, and
that France, though she has secured some concessions, has practically
backed down in favor of England.
Nothing pleases the English more than to have their own way against the
French. The English and the French have been natural enemies for
generations. The feeling of the French toward the English is even more
bitter than their hostility to the Germans.
* * * * *
The Chinese loan, about which we have heard so many different reports,
has at last been definitely granted by a combination of English and
German capital. The loan has been described as "semi-private," but this
does not prevent it from being considered a distinct success for Lord
Salisbury's negotiations, though regret is naturally felt in England
that Germany should have a share in it. As a result of the loan, England
has secured new concessions from China, which greatly strengthen her
influence in Chinese territory and place her in a stronger position from
which to insist upon her policy of open ports.
The news comes by cable that China has agreed to allow the control of
the imperial maritime customs to be placed in the hands of a British
subject "so long as the British trade with China exceeds that of any
other powers." As the British trade is now reported to be nearly ten
times as great as that of any other power, there is no immediate
prospect of a change.
* * * * *
The sentence of Zola to a year's imprisonment and to the payment of a
fine of $600 has been only the beginning of extraordinary proceedings in
France, resulting from his trial.
Colonel Picquart, who has been a strong champion of ex-Captain Dreyfus,
has been expelled from the French army without a pension, and he is also
for three years to be constantly watched by the police.
Furthermore, the papers and the public men who have been conspicuous in
their defence of Zola and of Dreyfus have been warned to cease their
agitation. Even some of the foreign correspondents have received hints
from the governmental authorities that if they are not more careful in
their statements with regard to the Dreyfus case, they will be obliged
to leave the country.
* * * * *
It is hard to believe that such a state of affairs can exist in a
civilized country. The position of the French Government has been so
clearly defined, however, by the French Premier, Monsieur Méline, that
it is plain the French republic has for a time become almost a
despotism, ruled by a tyrant known as the French army, which is, of
course, the cause of all the trouble. In the Chamber of Deputies the
other day Monsieur Méline remarked:
"After military justice civil justice has declared itself. It has
proclaimed that the members of the court-martial were honest men, who
obeyed their consciences. The Zola trial has ended the confusion made by
those who presumed to put themselves above the laws of the country.
Those who appeared in court were not there as subordinates of the
Minister of War, but as individual witnesses under nobody's orders.
"Certain generals may have been led on too far, but they were led on by
the defence. One general no doubt spoke a word too much, but remember
the accusations that were flung in his face. They ascribed to officers
hidden intentions to undermine our institutions, but the French army
cannot be an army of one man. There is not a single officer capable of
an attempt against the country, for our officers have other dreams."
From this speech it is plain that the French Government is exerting its
power to crush the present movement in favor of Dreyfus. But those who
have followed the Zola trial carefully and impartially are convinced
that the Government will fail. What the result will be, no one can tell.
But there are many who believe that one result will be a revolution
ending in the overthrow of the republic.
This, however, is an extreme view.
No one really believes that Zola will be kept in prison for a year, even
if he does go there. He himself has borne his sentence like a hero, and
is willing to accept it without an appeal. His lawyer, however, and his
friends will do their utmost to save him from suffering so gross an
injustice.
Even if Zola were guilty of libelling the army, his intentions were so
honorable and unselfish that any fair court of justice could not have
failed to have acquitted him, or at most to have given him merely a
nominal punishment.
* * * * *
It is plain that behind the Zola case there lurks a very deep feeling
against the Jews. It is thought by students of French life at the
present time, that this is the real cause of the terrible bitterness of
the French people against ex-Captain Dreyfus and his defenders. They
believe that the Dreyfus party represents the Jews of France, for whom
they have an intense hatred.
It should be explained here that the Jews have acquired an immense power
in France, as they have, indeed, all over Europe. They are the great
financiers of the world, and their power is so extensive that it has
created the alarm and jealousy and malice now finding expression in
Paris.
* * * * *
The Government of France is now in so dangerous a situation that there
is a good deal of discussion as to what will happen in case the republic
is overthrown.
The President of the republic, Félix Faure, is popular throughout
France, but he has hardly strength enough with the people to become a
great leader. A few months ago he won enthusiastic approval by the skill
with which he arranged his visit to the Emperor of Russia, and by the
dignity and simplicity which he displayed during that visit.
President Faure is essentially a man of the people. For many years he
has been prominent in the commercial and the political life of France,
and he has always been a champion of the people's rights. But he is not
the kind of leader that would appeal strongly to the army, and, as we
have seen, the army practically controls France at the present moment.
Consequently, if a revolution were to take place in Paris as a result of
the Dreyfus affair, it would probably bring forward a popular military
man as a candidate for leadership. Such a man is to be found in General
Boisdeffre, who figured in the Zola trial and made a bombastic speech
glorifying the army.
A revolution would also, of course, bring up the rival claims in France
of the Royalist and the Napoleonic parties.
The Royalist party is at present headed by the young Duke of Orleans,
who thus far has done very little to distinguish himself. In the event
of a crisis, however, France might recall the fact that a few years ago
the Duke, though exiled from his country, as all the pretenders to the
French throne have been in recent years, forced his way into Paris and
demanded that he be given the right to join the army. This was a very
youthful and theatrical attempt to excite the enthusiasm of the French
people. It failed, however, for the republican Government succeeded in
placing the Duke in a rather ridiculous position. He was kept in prison
for a few months, and then quietly released.
The Bonapartist party has for leader Prince Napoleon Victor Jerome
Bonaparte, grandson of Prince Jerome, youngest brother of Napoleon the
First.
Prince Victor has had almost no chance of making himself known to the
world, and at the present time his chances of succeeding to the throne
of France seem very slight.
* * * * *
Our Government has been quietly making provision for strengthening our
navy and coast defences in case of war.
This fact does not mean that the governmental authorities believe that
war is sure to break out. It means simply that they are taking
precautions to be prepared for any circumstances which may arise.
The Department of the Navy has been hampered by being obliged to wait
for the approval of Congress before it can carry out certain important
work. It has, however, lately put two more vessels in commission without
the approval of Congress and on its own responsibility. They are the
monitor _Miantonomoh_ and the harbor-defence ram _Katahdin_.
Since the disaster to the _Maine_, the Government has received a great
number of applications for the regular army and for the naval service.
* * * * *
During the past few months some very rich "finds" have been made in the
Klondike, and a great deal of excitement has been created there. The
facilities for carrying on the work are now greater than they have
previously been, and to this fact is attributed the new discoveries.
If the latest reports are to be credited, the gold region is proving to
be as valuable as it was thought to be during the first excitement.
Nevertheless, it is only the few who win great profits, while the
majority suffer.
The Canadian Government is taking an active interest in the Klondike,
and it will probably undertake before long to have surveys made to
discover the best route from the interior of Canada to the Yukon, and
will also have the Mackenzie-River route improved. Sir Wilfrid Laurier
has lately expressed the belief that there are gold regions in the Rocky
Mountains yet to be discovered.
Our Government has several questions to settle with Canada, arising out
of the conflict of opinion regarding the boundaries between the American
and the Canadian Klondike. These are likely to be settled, however, in a
perfectly friendly way.
We continue to hear reports of suffering among the miners, and the
Government is doing its best to provide relief. The best relief it can
provide, however, is to keep out of the gold regions those who are not
sufficiently provided with supplies to keep them alive for a long
period.
An American correspondent from Dawson City has lately given a gloomy
picture of the way affairs are managed in the gold regions. The Canadian
Government, he claims, is doing more for the miners than our own
authorities. The Canadian mail service, for example, is much better than
our own. Throughout the Klondike, governmental discipline seems to be
very poor. Most of the money used is United States money, but the
store-keepers and the owners of saloons do their best to keep it out of
circulation; they naturally find gold more profitable. According to the
correspondent, the miners are the men who are making the smallest
profits in the gold regions for this very reason, as the store-keepers
have their own methods of measuring the gold and estimating its value.
No doubt by next summer banks will be established where miners may
exchange their gold, at full value, for money.