Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-03-30
The President Transmits the Report and a
Brief Message to Congress, Which
Immediately Adjourns.
The Report Has also Been Sent to Spain
and Upon Her Reply Probably
Hinge Peace or War.
Especial to the Argus.

Especial to the Argus.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March q, l pm.
The President, after reviewing the
Incidents leading up to the time
when the ship Maine went to
Havana, and the condition of Ameri-
can interests there, says AZ follows:
"At forty minutes past nine on
the 18th of February, the Maine was
destroyed by an explosion by which
the entire forward part of the ship
was utterly wrecked. In the catas-
trophe two officers and 260 of her
crew perished. Those who were not
killed outright by the explosion be-
ing penned between the decks by the
tangle of wreckage and drowned by
the immediate sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neighboring ships in the harbor, aid
being especially given by the boats
of the Spanish cruiser. Alphonso
XIII, and the Ward Line steamer,
City of Washington, which lay not
far distant. The wounded were
generously cared tor by the authori-
ties uf Havana, hospit als being free
ly opened to them, while the earliest
recovered of the bodies were inferred
by the municipality in the public
cemetery In the city. Expressions OF
grief and sympathy were offered
from all quarters of the island. The
appalling calamity fell upon the
people of our country with crushing
force, and for a breif time, under the
Influence of the excitement which
prevailed, must have led to hasty
acts of blind resentment. This
spirit, however, soon gave way to
the common process of reason, and
to the resolve to investigate the
facts and await material proof be
fore forming a judgment as to thu
cause, responsibility, and, in fact
the warranted remedy due. Thi'
course necessarily recommended it
self from the outset to the Executive
for only in the light of dispassionat
certainty could 1t determine tn
nature and measure of it's full dut!
lin the matter. The unusual pro
cedure was followed as In the case O
casualty or destruction to nationa
vessels of any maritime State.
! naval court of enquiry was at ono
organized, composed of officers we
qualified by rank and experience t
discharge the onerous duty imposse
upon them. and by a strong force
wreckers and divers, the court pre-
ceeded to make a thorough invest
CATION on the spot, employing ever
available means for an impartis
and exact determination of the caus
} of the explosion. It's operation
, have been conducted with the mos
; elaboration, and. while Independent
. pursued, no source OF informatiu
was neglected. and the fullest oppo
n tunity was allowed for a simu
taneous Investigation by the Spanis
!. authorities. The findings OF Il
: lcourt of inquiry were reached aft
o q days of continuous labor, on Il
= 2lst day of March, and were a
'e proved ON the 22nd by the Comman
l. er-in-chief of the naval forces of Il
a North Atlantic station, and we
n transmitted to the Executive. 1t
N herewith laid before congress-, I
Rether with the voluminous tes
mony taken before the court.
le purport IL In brief as follows:
"When the Maine arrived
II Havana she was conducted by {
regular government pilot to bu'
u mo. 4. to which she was moOred
nom flve and q hall to six fathon
The state Of discipline ON board. .