The Eddy current., 1898-04-02

Washington. March 2o.-The follow
ing Ia a synopsis OF tho report OF the
board OF inquiry In the Maine disaster
sent to congreas by President McKln-
ley
To the congress OF the United States:
For some time prior to the visit OF the
Maine TO Havana harbor our consular
representative pointed out the advant-
ages to flow from the visit Of national
ships TO Cuban waters. In accustomlng
the people 10 the presence OF our flag as
a symbol OF good will and our ships
In fulnllment Of the mission OF the pro-
tectlon OF American interests even
though no immediate need thereof
might exist.
Accordingly on the cath day OF Janu-
airy last, after a conference with the
Spanish minister In which renewal yls-
its OF our warships 20 Spanish waters
Is discussed and accepted. the penIn-
sular authorities az Madrid and Havana
were advised OF the purpose OF this
government 20 resume friendly naval
visits at Cuban ports and that In that
view the Maine would forthwith call
at the port OF Havana. This announce
ment was received by the Spanish gov
srnment by apprecIatIng the friendly
character OF the visit Of the Maine, and
with the notification Of the intention
10 return the courtesy by sending Span
ish ships to the principal ports OF the
United States ig the meanwhile the
Maine entered the port OF Havana on
the Goth day OF January. her arrival
being marked with no especial incident
besides the exchange OF the customary
salutes and renewal visits.
The Maine continued In the harbor OF
Havana during the three weeks follow
ing her arrival. No appreclablo ex-
ctement attended her stay; on the
contrary feeling Of relief and con
hdence followed the resumption OF q
long interrupted friendly intercourse
so noticeable was the immediate eifeci
OF her visit that the consul general
strongly urged that the presence OF oui
ships IN Cuban waters should be kept
up by retaining them In Havana, or
In the event OF her recall by sendlnl
another vessel there 10 take her place
Al 40 minutes past nine In the even
ing OF Feb. 18th. the Maine was de
stroyed by an explosion by which thu
entire forward par, Of tho ship was al
terly wrecked. In this catastrophe tw'
officers and 26O OF her crew perished
those who we're not killed outright b.
her explosion being penned betweel
decks by trngl wreckage AM
drowned by the immediate sinking o
the hull Prompt assistance rendere'
By nelghb0ring vessels anchored In th
harbor, aid being especially given b.
the boats OF the Spanish Alphonse Nl
and the Ward line steamer City O
Washington. which lay not far distant
The wounded we're generously care
for bY the authorities Of Havana, th
hospitals being freely opened to then
while the earliest recovered bodies q
the dead we're inferred by the munleI
pallty In the public cemetery OF IN
city. Tributes OF grief aud aympath
we're offered from the officials Of a
quarters Of the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon on
people with crushing force and for
brief time intense excitement prs
vailed. which In a community less jul
and self controlled than ousr mlgl
have led 10 hasty acts Of blind X
asntment. This spirit. however 500
gave way 10 ealmer reason, TO resol'
20 investigate facts and await mI
terlal proof before forming a iudgmei
a. TO the cause and responsibility. an
n facts warranted. the remedy du
This cause necessarily recommended
self from the outset 10 the executlv
for only In the light q, slapasslonate
ascertained certainty could Il dete
mine the nature and measure OF lts ~
duty IN the matter.
The usual procedure was followed,
In an cases OF causalty or disaster
national vessels Of any maritime stat
A naval court Of inquiry was at on
organised, composed OF officers W
Qualihed BY rank and practical exp
rienee to discharge the onerous duti
imposed upon them. Aided by a strol
force OF wreckers aud divers the eou