Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-03-31

Washington. March 2s.-The president
to-day sent the following message to con-
Eress:
To the Congress of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor Cur consular re-
ports pointed out the advantages to fol-
low from tho visit OF national ships to
the Cuban waters in accuatominEs the
people to the presence of our flag as the
symbol OF good will and Of our ships in
the fulhlnlent of the mission OF protec-
tion, to American interests, even though
no immediate need therefor might exist.
Accordingly, on the Gath OF January
last, after conference with the Spanish
minister, in which the renewal Of visits
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 govern
n:ent to resume friendly naval visits at
Cuban ports, and that i'll that view
the Maine would forthwith call at
The port Of Havana. This announcement
vas received by the Spanish government
with appreciation of the friendly charac-
ter Of the visit of the Maine, and with
notification Of intention to return the
courtesy by sending Spanish ships to the
principal ports Of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the port of
Havana on the 25th Of January, her ar
Y1VAl Deln8 mSrkoO Win 10 SpeclAA AlcA-
dent, besides the exchange Of customary
0alutes and ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor dur
ing the three weeks following her arrival
No appreciab]e excitement attended her
stay. On the contrary feeling Of reliet
and confidence followed the resumption
of the long interrupted friendly inter-
course. So noticeable was this immediate
effect Of her visit that tho consul-general
strongly urged that the presence OF our
ships in Cuban waters should be kept up
by retaining the men at Havana, or, III
the event of her recall, by sending other
vessels there TO take her place.
At forty minutes past nine in the even
Ing Of the 18th of February the Maine
was destroyed by an explosion, by which
the entire forward part Of the ship was
utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two
oficers and 200 of her crew Derished,
these who were not killed outright by her
explosion being. penned between decks oy
the tangle Of wreckage and drowned by
the Immediate sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by the
neiehboring vessels anchored in tho har-
bor, aid being especially given by the
boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso
XII and the Ward line steamer City Of
washington, which lay not far distant.
srha wounded were generously cared for
bv the authorities Of Havana, the hospi-
tails being freely opened to them, while
the earliest recovered bodies OF the dead
we're inferred by the municipality in q
public cemetery in the city. Tributes OF
grief and sympathy were offered from
All onlcial quarters Of the island.
The Appalling Calamity
fsn upon tho people Of our coutry with W.
crushing force. and for brief time an IN
+an.a axcitment prevailed, which in a
communtty less Just and self-c ontrolled
taan ours might have led to hasty acts
IN resentment. This spirit. however. soon
gave way to the calmer processes or rea-
son. and to the resolve to investigate 1he
go. ..is . -tnit th., n, atnrai nrn0f h'afora