New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Washington. March 2s-Presldent Mckinley
at noon to-day transmitted to Congress the
findings of the Court Of Inquiry which inves-
tigated the blowing up OF the battle-shp Maine
in Havana Harbor. accompanied by the follow
ing message:
To the Congress Of the United States:
For some time prior to the Visit or the Maiie
10 Havana Harbor our consular representatives
pointed out the advantages to flow from tne
visit of National ships to the Cuban waters IN
accustoming the people to the presence OF our
flag as symbol Of goodwill. and OF our SHIPS
in the fulfilment Of the mission OF protection
IN American interests even though no immedi-
ate need therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the oath Of January last, atter
conference with the Spanish Minister, IN which
the renewal Of visits OF our war vessels 70 span
ish waters was discussed and accepted, the PENN
sular authorities at Madrid and Havana were
advised OF the purpose OF this Government 10
resume friendly naval visits to Cuban ports
and that in that view, the Maile would forth-
with call at the port of Havana This announce
mcnt was received by the Spanish Government
with appreciation OF the friendly character or
the visit Of the Maine. and with notiiication Oh
an intention to return the courtesy by senoihs
Spanish ships to the principal ports OF the
United States. Meanwhile. the Maine entered
the port of Havana on the 25th Of January, her
arrival being marked with no special incident
besides the exchange of customary salutes and
ceremonial visits
The Maine continued in the harbor Of Ha-
yana du ing the three weeks following her ar
rival No apprecable excitement attended her
stav: on the contrary, feeling OF relief and
confidence followed the resumption OF the long
interrupted friendly intercourse. SO noticeable
was this immediate effect OF her visit that the
Corsul-General strongly urged that the pres
ence OF our ships in Cuban waters Should De
kept up by retaining the Maine at Havana, or
in the event of her recall, by sending another
vessel there to take her place.
At forty minutes past nine In the evening
~ the 18th Of February the Maine was de-
stroyed by an explosion. by when the Ell
tire forward part of the ship was utterly
wrecked In this catastrophe TWO orcers
ana 264 Of her crew perished those who were
not killed outright by her explosion beins
nenned between decks by the tangle Of wreckage
and drowned by the immediate sinking Of the
hull Prompt assistance was rendered by the
roiqhhoring vessels anchored in the harbor, aid
beine especially given by the boats Of the Span
,sh cruiser Alphonso XII and the Ward Line
steamer City of Washington. which lay not FAR
distant The wounded were generously cared
for by the authorities Of Havana. the hospitals
being freely opened TO them. while the earliest
recovered bodies Of the dead were Inferred by the
municipality in a public cemetery in the city.
Tributes Of grief and sympathy were offered
from ell official quarters Of the island
The appalling calamity fell upon the people OF
our country with crushing force. and for brief
time an intense excitement prevailed. which, In
community less just and self controlled than
| Cd tO has e
sentiment This spirit. however. soon gave way
N the calrner processes OF reason and to the re-
solve TO Investigate the facts and await material
proof before forming Judgment as to the cause,
the responsibility. and, II the facts warranted,
the remedy due. This course necessarily recon-
mended itself from the outset to the Executive.
for onlv in the light Of a dispassionately ascer-
tained certainty could It determine the nature
and measure Of Its full duty In the matter.
The usual procedure was followed. in all
cases of casualty or disaster to National vessels
of anv maritime State. naval Court OF Inquiry
wes a, once organized composed Of officers we'll
qualified by rank and practical experience to
discharge the onerous duty imposed upon them.
Aided bv q strong force Of wreckers and divers,
the Court proceeded to make thorough nvesti-
cation on the spot, employing every available
means for the impartial and exact determination
of the causes OF the explosion Its operations
bsva been conducted with the utmost delibera-
ton and Judgment. and while Independently
pursued. no source of information was neglected
and the fullest opportunity was allowed for a
simultaneous investigation by the Spanish
! thorities
The finding OF the Court Of Inquiry was
| reached after twenty-three days OF continuous
labor on the 2lst of March instant, and having
been approved on the 22d by the Commander
In Chief Of the United States naval force Of the
| North Atlantic station. was transmitted to the
| Executive.
II is herewith laid before the Congress- to-
| eether with the voluminous testimony taken
before the Court. It's purport is. in brief. as
| follows:
| When the Maine arrived in Havana she was
| conducted by the regular Government pilot
! 10 Buoy No f. to which she was moored In
from five and one-haf to six fathoms OF water
The state OF discipline on board and the con-
| dition of her magazines. boilers, coal bunkers
| and storage compartments passed In review
with the conclusion that excellent order pre-
vailed. and that no indication Of any cause
for an internal explosion existed in any quar-
ter
At o'clock in the evening Of February IS
everything had been reported secure and all
was quiet. At forty minutes past nine o'clock
the vessel was suddenly destroyed There were
two distinct explosions with a brief interval
between them. The first lifted the forward
part OF the ship very perceptibly: the second.
which was more open prolonged and OF greater