Widespread gloom prevails throughout the United States, occasioned by the tragic loss of the battleship Muine, and popular feeling runs high in denunciation of the Spanish authorities. between the two Gov altogether unexpected is fol'awing extracts taken from our American exchanges which arrived Ly the Gaelic on Wednesday Now York, 17th February.
A Sun special from Washing'
The Administration realises fully as the eneral public can the force and wisdom of its ancient admonition. In time of peace prepare for war." This is just what the Administration has been doitig for several months past, and the increased activity among the officials of the War and Navy Departments noticeable during the past day or two means that they are arranging to reap ata moment's notice the fruits of what they have sown. If the declaration of war comes to-morrow or next week or next month, the Government will not be wholly tin prepared.
Key West, 20th February.
It is learned from what may be considered a semi-oficial source that the diver sent down on behalf of the United States to examine the wreck of the battleship Maine have made a preliminary report, of the result of their work. Incredible as it may seem, after a partial examination of the mayaziues of the Maine the divers report that the one in which the explosion is supposed to have occurred is intact. According to the informant, the contents of the magazine ave unharmed. Therefore, if this report be true, an entirely different aspect is given to the terrific explosion which brought death and destruction to the Maine,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.