Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-03-31
NOT FIN H66ID6NT.
Report OF Ma ne Investigation Before Congress
Presidents Message Has Aroused the Nation


For some time prior to the visit of
the Maine to Havana harhor our con-
sular representatives pointed out the
advantages II flow from the visit of
our national ships to the Cuban wat
ers in accustoning the people to the
presence of our flag as a symbol OF
good will and in the fulfllment of
the mission Of protection to Ameri-
can interests, even though no imme-
date need therefore might exist.
Accordingly, on the oath of Janu-
airy last, after conference with the
Spanish minister, in which the re-
newal of visits of our war vessels to
Spanish waters was discussed and ac-
cepted, the peninsular authorities
at Madrid and Havana were advised
of the purpose OF this government to
resume friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports, and in that view the Maine
would forthwith call at the port of
Havana
This announcement was received by
the Spanish Government with appre-
citation of the friendly character of
the visit of the Maine and with Motif
cation of intention to return the cour-
tesy by sending Spanish ships to the
principal ports of the United State.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the port
OF Havana on the 25th of January.
her arrival being marked with no
special incident besides the exchange
of customary salutes and ceremonial
visits.
The Maine continueiin the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No appreciate
excitement attended her stay. On the
contrary feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption of the
long-interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was this immediate
effect of her visit that the consul
general strongly urged that the pres
ence of our ships in Cuban waters
should be kept up by retaining the
men at Havana, or, in the event of
: her recall, by sending vessel to take
: her place.
At forty minutes past 9 on the
evening of the 18th of February the
Maine was destroyed by an explosion,
, by which the entire forward part of
! the ship was entirely wrecked. In
this catastrophe two officers and 250
of her crew persisted those who were
not killed outright by her explosion
being penned between decks by the
the tangle of wreckage and drowned
: by the immediate sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by
the neighboring vessels anchored in
2 the harbor, aid being especially given
by the boats Of the Spanish cruiser
: Alfonso XIII, and the Ward line steam
er, City of Washington, which lay not
} far distant. The wounded were gen
erously cared for by the authorities
OF Havana, the hospitals being freely
opened to them, while the earliest re-
covered bodies of the dead were in.
! tered by the municipality in a public
cemetery in the city. Tributes OF
grief and sympathy were offered from
all official quarters of the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon
the people of our country with crush
ing force, and for brief time an in
tense excitement prevailed. which in a
community less just and self-control-
ing than ours might have led to hasty
acts of blind resentment. This spirit.
however, soon gave way to the calmer
processes of reason, and to the resolve
/ to investigate the facts and await the
material proof before forming iudg-
ment as to the cause, the responsible
ity. and Gf the findings warranted it,
the remedy due. This course neces-
sarily recommended itself from the
outset to the executive, for only in
the light Of dispassionatelv ascer-
tanned certainty could it determine
the nature and measure OF its full duty
in the matter.
The usual procedure was followed,
as in all cases of casualty or disaster
to national vessels Of any maritime
state. A naval court Of inquiry was
at once organized, composed Of officers
well qualified by rank and practical
experience to discharge the onerous
duty imposed upon them. Aided by
a strong force Of wreckers and divers
the court proceeded to make thor