The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-30
The Maine Report
and The Message


Cd HE report on the Maine is modei.
The presidents message meets all
the needs of the occasion. Ihe
judicial calm of one and the SOBER
- and restrained dignity of the other
will commend both to the country and TO
the civilized world. In the face or an
appalling national disaster, whose char-
acter, cause and condition move TO Wrath
and indignation, neither the officers VINO
Investigate nor the president who an
nounces their decision to congress per-
nit the emotion Of the hour to color the
verdict of history.
The evidence marshalled by the court
in it's report is convincing. In technical
problem of this difficult and intricate
character it would have been easy to
confuse the chief issue with subordinate
details. with skill and precision the
court presents two facts which decide the
occurrence of an external and internal
explosion. The bottom of the boat was
bent in and thrown up, the keel plates
being lifted thirty-eight feet above their
original position. The upper deck plat
ing and main deck to port and starboard
are folded back on each other in an ir-
regular V. Only two causes could have
worked this double reversal of the nor
NAL place of keel and deck plates-first
the explosion of a mine without the Ves-
sci, bending in the bottom, and, second
the explosion of magazines within the
Maine, doubling up the decks. Every
other source of accident Is carefully elm
mated The discipline of the vessel is
proved to have been above reproach. Its
magazines, it's coal bunkers and the nu-
merous sources and causes of spontan-
eouS combustion and accidental explosion
on a modern war vessel are accounted
for With brevity, with simplicity, by in
direct and direct proof, by demonstrating
tl,,H t11p nSyiGf tod n1 hU
ing that only an explosion. both without
and within, could have worked the ruin
wrought, the court of inquiry has pre-
sented an unanswerable argument which
will decide the verdict of today and set
tie the ultimate findings of history.
With like sobriety and reserve, Presi-
dent Mckinley has laid the report and
its accompanying evidence before con-
greSs. Speaking for great nation and
addressing the world not less than con-
gress, President Mckinley permits HIM
self no departure from the austere dig
nifty of his office. With jealous justice,
infinitely more effective than charge or
invective, he recognizes all that was done
by Spanish authorities after the explo-
sion. He allows himself no suggestion
of responsibility through negligence or
design. At no point and in no manner
does he overstep the severe self-respect
whose responsibility lies heavy on the
shoulders of another. He lays all before
| congress He informs congress and the
| people that Spain has been notified and
! he leaves the suspected nation before
! the bar of civilization to make such an
| swer as ii can.
! The deliberate consideration which
! President Mckinley invokes the coun-
| try will give in the same spirit and in
| the same unanimous decision with which
| it met Captain Sigsbee's plea for "sus-
! pense of judgment" on the morrow OF
! the disaster. The result has proved the
| wisdom of that advice. Sudden and ILL
| advised action or premature conclusion
would have preiudlced the place and case
! of the United States, now and hereafter
! Both stand today above criticism. No
where, outside of Spain, will the findings
of the court be questioned or challenged
They are an end of controversy.
| The presidents advice today displays
like wisdom and will ripen to a like re-
! suit. Whatever the answer of Spain, the
| United States can wait in the signifi-
| cant silence of the president, shared with
| equal dignity by congress, making no
charges and uttering no threats, aware
| that time and justice work together in
| a world where no life is sacrificed In
vain and no duty done goes unrewarded
In the arbitrament of fate. Those still
| entombed In the wreck, those buried in
a soil alien-but not long to be under
the shadow of an alien fag-and those
laid to rest at home. all the dead and
the living all, met death and duty with
unshaken courage and discipline as un-
shaken. No cloud rests on them. Their
! record is clear, The land waits in armed
! silence and silent resolution TO take
whatever next step the act or utterance
of Spain may render necessary to sus-
tain the nations honor and discharge its
duty to brave men who died bravely in
| It's service.