The silver star., 1898-03-31

Gent To-Day sent the following meSStiSt
to Congress:
To the Congress OF the United States
For some time prior to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular
representatives pointed out the advan
tages to follow visits of national ships
to the Cuban waters. in accustominr
the people to the presence of our flag
as the symbol of good will and of our
ships in the fulfillment of the mission
OF protection to American interests.
even though no immediate need there
for might exist
Accordingly. on the 25th of Janu-
ary 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 pcninsular authorities at Madrid
and Havana were advised of the pur-
pose of this government to resume
friendly naval visits at Cuban ports,
and that in that view the Maine would
forthwith call at the port of Havana
This announcement was received by
the Spanish government with appreci-
alton of the friendly character of the
visit of the Maine and with notifica-
ton of intention to return the cour-
tesy by sending Spanish ships To the
principal ports of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered The port
of Havana on the 23th of January.
her arrival being marked with no
Al
of customary salutes and ceremonial
visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival No apprecia BILE
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 the immediate eff
feet of her visit that the consul gen
eral strongly urged that the presence
OF our ships in Cuban waters should
be kept up by retaining the Maine Mt
havana or in the event of her recall.
by sending another vessel there to take
her place.
AT forty minutes past o 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 ca
fastrophe two officers and 2GO of her
crew pcrished, those who were nor
Killed outright by her explosion being
penned between decks by the tanyle
OF wreckage and drowned by the i'm
Mediate sinking of the hull. prompt
assistance was rendered by the neigh
boring vessels anchored in the harbor.
aid being especially given by the boats
OF the Spanish cruiser Alpliouso NIL
and the Ward line steamer CITY of
Washington, which lay not far distant
The wounded Were generously cared
Tor by the authorities of Havana. the
hospitals being freely opened to them
While the earliest recovered bodies of
the dead We're inferred by the munI
cipaiify in the public cemetery in the
city. Tributes of grief and syinpatlly
were offered from all official ounr,er.
Of the island.
Inc appalling calamity fell upon the
people OF our country with crushing
force and for II brief time nm Intense
excitement prevailed. which in n com.
hiuhity less just and self-controllrd
thnn ours must have led to hnsty nets
OF blind resentment. This spiri;. how
ever. soon gave way TO the calmrr pro-
cesses of reason and to the resolve IN
investigate the facts and awuit III.
material proof before forming n iudo.
mehf ns TO the calse. the responsibility
ana. if the facts warranted. the rcme.
dy due. This course necessarily roc.
commended Itself from the outset to the
executive. for only In the light OF II
dispassionately ascertained certainty
could 1t determine the nature and
measure OF It's full duty In the matter
The usual procedure was followed
as In all cases OF casualty or disastc,
TO national vessels Of any marItim,
state. A naval court of inquiry wns
at once organized. compofed OF officer,
well qualified by rank and practica
experience to discharge the onero,,,
duty Imposed upon them. Aided b,
strong force Of wreckers nnd divers
the court proceeded to make n thor
ough Investigation on the spot. en-
ploying every available mems for III.
Impartial and exnct determination OF
the cnuses OF the explosion. Its opern
tons have been conducted with III.
utmost delllDerntlon and Judgment, nm,
while Independently pursued. II,
source OF Information wns neglecte,
nnd the fullest opportunity was nj
lowed for II simultaneous investig igatioi
by the Spanish authorities.
The finding Of the court OF lnauIr,
was rcnched after twcnty-tliree dnyl
Of continuous labor. on the 2ist o
March. Instant. md nnvIng been M
proved on the 22d by the commander
In-chief OF the United Stntcs nnvn
force on the North Atlantic station
wnH transmitted To the executive.