The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-04-02
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
THE DISASTER TO THE MAINE.
Testimony Tn,<en Before the Beard
of Inquiry Accompanied the Re
port-Spnin Notified Tint the War
fn Cuba Must Cense-Conoentrn-
tien of United States Troops.

tIon was reached early this morning to
send in the testimony taken before the
board of inquiry to accompany the report
The members of the foreign relations com.
nittee of the senate made vigorous pro
tests against the former arranged pro-
gram, saying it would be great deal of a
farce to refer to that committee the find
ings of the court and withhold the testi-
a,ony. The committee desired the testi-
srony at the earliest possible moment. 1t
was also pointed out that Withholding the
testimony would be construed by some
persons to mean an attempt was being
made to keep from congress and the peo-
pie all testimony regarded as sensational.
The Message.
TO the Congress OF the United States
For some time prior to the visit OF the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular rep
resentatives pointed out the advantages
to follow visit of naval ships to Cuban
waters in accustoming the people to the
presence of our flag as symbol of good
will, and of our ships in fulfiilment of the
mission of protection to American inter
ests, even though no immediate need
therefor might exist.
Accordingly, ON the 25th of January
last, after a conference with the Spanish
minister, in which the renewal of the Wis
its of our war vessels to Spanish waters
was discussed and accepted, the peninsular
authorities at Madrid and Havana were
advised of the purpose of this government
to resume friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports, and with that view the Maine
would forthwith call at the port OF Ha-
vana.
Apparent FrfendIiness
This announcement was received by the
Spa nish government with appreciation of
the friendly character of the visit of the
Maine and with notification of the inten-
ton to return the courtesy by sending
Spanish ships to the principal ports of the
United States. Meanwhile the Maine en-
tered the port of Havana on the 25th of
January, her arrival being marked with
40 special incident besides the exchange
OF the customary salutes and ceremonial
visits
The Maine continued in the harbor of Ha-
vana during the three weeks following her
arrival. No appreciable excitement at.
tended her stays on the contrary, feeling
Of relief and confidence followed the re-
of the long interrupted friendly
intercourse. So noticeable was this imme-
alate effect OF her visit that our consul
general strongly urged that the presence
81 our ships in Cuban waters should be
kept up by retaining the Maine at Ha-
rama, or, in the event of her recall, by
sending another vessel there to take her
siace.
The Fatal Night.
At 40 minutes past in the evening of
fhe 18th of February the Maine was de-
stroyed by an explosion, by which the en-
ire forward part of the ship was utterly
In this catastrophe two officers
and g60 of her crew persisted. those who
we're not killed outright by her explosion
being penned between decks by the tangle
II wreckage and drowned by the immedi-
Ute sinking of the hull. ..t.
Prompt assistance was rendered bv the
vessels anchored in the har.
'or, aid being especially given by boats
u the Spanish cruiser Alphonso XJII and |
he Ward line steamer City of Washing
on, which hay not far distant The wound. /
'd were generously cared for by the au-
.horities of Havana, hospitals being freely !
'pened to them, while the earliest recov- |
red OF the bodies were inferred by the /
in the public cemetery in the
1ty. Tributes OF grief and sympathy were
offered from all official quarters of the |
sland.
Eject on the Nation.
The appalling calamity fell upon the peo- /
sie OF our country with crushing force and I
OF brief time intense excitement pre-
'ailed. which in community less lust. or
elfishly controlled, must have led to hsstv /
tets OF blind resentment. This spirit, how /
sver, soon gave way to the calmer process. /
IS OF reason and a resolve TO investigate |
he facts and await material proof before
forming judgment as to the cause. re.
possibility, and, if the acts warranted.
he remedy due. This course necessarily |
recommended itself from the outset to the /
Executive, for only in the light of dis.
'assionately ascertained certainty could
determine the nature and measure of its
ull duty in the matter.
Appointment of the Court.
The usual procedure was followed as in
asses OF casualty or disaster to the nation.
u vessels of any maritime state. A naval
curt of inquiry was at once organized.
omposed OF officers we'll qualified by rank
md practical experience to discharge the
nerous duty imposed upon them.
AcesafoJ h. .