ssel routes, coaling-stations, and railroads
(even the new trans-Siberian railroad, about which we wrote in a recent
number) of all countries; and much other valuable information.

* * * * *

=Current History=

* * * * *

The _Maine_ affair is still the most important item of current history.

The Board of Inquiry has returned to Havana and is still carrying on its
investigation, and until this body makes an official report to the
United States Government, we should, as Captain Sigsbee telegraphed the
night of the explosion, suspend judgment.

There has been no way of ascertaining the results of the Board's
inquiries. The testimony of eye-witnesses of the disaster, sailors and
divers, was heard on board the _Mangrove_, anchored near the wreck. A
number of photographs of the _Maine_ have been taken under water, by a
man employed by the Board. These photographs are deemed very important,
as the Board can get a much clearer idea of the position of the debris
than they could from the descriptions of the divers. The belief is
widely entertained that the Board will report that the disaster was
caused by an explosion from the outside. How the two countries will act
after such a report is delivered, can only be surmised. Of course, Spain
will make her own thorough investigation; the divers have already been
permitted to examine the wreck to a certain extent. It is very hard to
believe that the Spanish Government had anything to do with the
explosion. Individuals, acting for themselves and not in touch with the
Government, probably "assassinated" the boat--if she was "assassinated."
In that case, the United States can with justice claim an indemnity.

If, however, it can be proved that Spanish officers knew that there was
a mine under the _Maine_, and did not take the trouble to tell Captain
Sigsbee, the United States would undoubtedly consider it a _casus belli_
(that is, a cause of war), unless Spain promptly agrees to make good the
loss.

As we told you last week, it is said that no dead fish were found in
Havana harbor after the explosion. Another significant report is, that
there was no large wave directly after the explosion took place. If
these reports are true, they would almost preclude the possibility of
its having been an outside explosion.

It was reported that Weyler, while Captain-General of Cuba, had caused
Havana harbor to be filled with mine