e 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 co