A. Marix, Lieutenant-Commander U. S. N., Judge Advocate.

CHAPTER XXXV.

Patience at the vanishing point.

Our Former Troubles with Spain Recalled—­The Verdict of the
People—­Spanish Rule a Blot on Civilization—­The Attitude of
Other Nations—­The Necessity for Delay—­The Message to Congress—­
“The War in Cuba Must Stop!”

The American people did not wait for the report of the Naval Board to form an opinion as to the cause of the tragedy.  The masses think in events, and not in syllogisms, and this was an event.  This event provoked suspicions in the public mind.  The thought of the whole nation was instantly directed to Cuba.  The fate of the sailors on the Virginius, twenty-five years ago, was recalled.  The public curiosity about everything Cuban and Spanish became intense.  The Weyler method of warfare became more generally known.  The story of our long diplomatic trouble with Spain was recalled.  Diplomacy was obliged to proceed with doors less securely shut.  The country watched for news from Washington and from Madrid with eagerness.  It happened to be a singularly quiet and even dull time in our own political life—­a time favorable for the concentration of public attention on any subject that prominently presented itself.

Leslie’s Weekly voiced the popular sentiment in its issue of April 14 in the following language: 

“If the report of the board of inquiry is accepted as final, then the destruction of the Maine was an act of war.  The Maine was in a Spanish harbor on a peaceful errand.  Its location was fixed by the Spanish authorities, and if a mine was planted in the harbor, it could only have been planted by the Spaniards.  To think otherwise is to discredit the official report.  The verdict may be challenged by the Spanish government.  Spain may insist on the raising of the wreck and upon an expert examination.  If such an examination is made, and if the weight of evidence controverts the verdict, our position will be humiliating.  We take it, therefore, that our government is entirely satisfied with the examination, and that it accepts the verdict of the court of inquiry as final and without appeal.  This verdict makes Spain responsible for the loss of the Maine, the sacrifice of the lives of 266 heroes, and for all the consequences involved.  The indictment must be answered.  Any other nation than this would have demanded an immediate answer.  We can wait.  On the answer made by Spain the issues of the future must depend.  No policy of evasion such as Spain has pursued in all her dealings with us will enable her to escape.  She is at the bar of judgment with bloody fingers, and must plead guilty.  No other plea can be accepted.  And the punishment must fit the crime.”

Causes leading to strife.