Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-29
The Report.


port of the naval court of inquiry IN
the loss of the Maine. for which the
country has waited over month. wa :.
yesterday. made public and transmitted
to Congress by President Mckinley.
The findings of the court had been 80
thoroughly anticipated by the press of
the country that the official announce
ment comes simply as IA Verification.
and causes little or no surprise. The
accident" theory of the explosion
which the naval officers and govern
ment officials We're honor bound To cN-
cause of The explosion was shown, has
in reality been held by Very few per
general circumstances of this explosion,
the first of its kind in naval history,
made other theories than that of ac-
cidental origin persistcntly force them
selves forward in every American
mind. 1t is doubtful if any high officer
of the government. any more than any
intelligent citizen. has really belieN ri
the explosion that wrecked the Maine
and killed a60 If her men was of inter-
nal origin. The report. as was every
where expected, finds that the Maine
was wrecked by outside agencies. by
l.. nh, foo.
but unfortunately it does not find evil
dence to fix the responsibility. The
report is A most complete and crafty
ing exoneration OF Capt. Sissbee and
all on board. 1t declares that there
was perfect discipline. everything in
good condition. and the ma gazines per
fectly safe. The explosion was in no
way due to the fault of those on board.
The court has done its work thor
oughIy and well. 1t proceeded slowly
and carefully, getting all the evidence
possible, and sitting everything to find
the grains of truth. There was no un-
necessary delay, however, either i'll the
finding of a verdict or in giving it to
the American people. The court OF IN
quiry was made up of able and honest
men, and their verdict is just and be-
could not find definite evidence to en-
able them to fix the exact responsibility
for the iirinGof the fatal mine. But that
the Spanish government is responsible,
and viii he so held by this government,
seems not in doubt for u moment-even
though the words Spain" or span
lard" or spanish are not mentioned in
the whole report. The so-called in
Vcstigatiun "f the Spanish government
MAS nothing more than a farce. and its
verdict of an accidental explosion IN
board the cruiser is. in plain Yankee
rarlancr simply bluff. This verdict
Was not founded upon actual inVcsti-
CATION or any facts. but upon Spanish
insolcnce and obstinacy.
Tn" finding of our court of inquiry
which was sent to Congress, yesterday,
was also sent TO the Spanish govern
ment at Madrid. Under the circum-
stances this of itself is demand for
PREPARATION. but it is understood this
demand will not he at once pushed Is
the urgency of the Cuban situation S
the warrant for giving it prior atten-
ton The question of indemnity for the
loss of the Maine and her crew. how
ever. will not he allowed to remain n
the background. Neither the admins
tratiOn nor tn" American people Will
allow this. and all the Wiles of Castlian
diplomacy will not enable Spain 10
escape the matter of indemnity or Il
sterner rctribution when the time for
settlement comes The fact that the
report was referred to the proper com
I mittea without debate shows that Con
cress understands the President :
policy ANA is united in supporting It.
1t is expected that "A message Will be
sent to Congress, today or tomorrow
upon the matter or relief for the Gu
| bans. This country is not forcing war.
1t intends only 10 MAINTAIN its just
| rights. and to extend the aid TO a SUI
/ terng people at its doors which is de
| inanded by humanity and Christianity.
! If Spain refuses us tn" cxercs" of this
| right. or rufuses the demands which
| the maintenance of our honor and
rights rompcls us to make then it is
difficult to see now anything but war
! can result