The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-29

dent to-day sent the following message
to congress:
ITO 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 a visit of naval ships to
Cuban waters. in accustoming the peo-
pie to the presence of our flag as a SYM
Dol of good will. and of our ships In the
fulfllment of the mission OF protection
TO American interests. even though no
immediate need therefor might exist.
According. on the 25th of January last.
after "A conference with the Spanish
minister. in which "A renewal Of the visit
of our vessels to Spanish waters was
discussed and accepted. the peninsular
authorities at Madrid and Havana were
advised of the purpose of this govern
ment to resume friendly naval visits at
Cuban ports, and with that view the
Maine would forthwith call at the port
of Havana
This announcement was received by
the Spanish government with apprecia-
ton of the friendly character of the
visit of the Maine and with notifica-
tion of the intention 10 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 25th of January. her
arrival being marked with no special in
cident besides the exchange of custo-
mary salutes and ceremonial visits.
THE Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No appreciable ex-
element offended her stay; on the con-
trary. a feeling of relief and confidence
followed the resumption Of the long,
interrupted friendly intercourse. So no.
ticeable was the immediate effect of her
visit that the consul general strongly
urged the presence of our ships I'm Gu
ban waters should be kept up by re-
tanning the Maine at Havana. or In the
event of her recall. by sending another
vessel there to take her place.
AT $40 on the evening of the
18th of February. the Maine was de-
stroyed by explosion. by which the en-
tire forward part OF the ship was utter
ly wrecked. In this catastrophe two Of
ficers and 260 of her crew perlshed. those
who were not killed outright by her ex-
ploson being penned between decks by
the tangle OF wreckage and drowned by
the immediate sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neighbor.ng vessels anchored in the har-
Dor. aid being especially given by boats
Of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso Kill
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 munich
pality in the public cemetery In the
city. Tributes of grief and sympathy
were offered from all official quarters
of the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people of our country with crushing
force and for brief time intense ex-
citement prevailed. which in a commun-
ity less just and selfishly controlled
must have led to hasty acts Of blind
resentment. This spirit. however. soon
gave way to calmer processes of reason
and TO a resolve To investigate the facts
and await material proof before forming
judgment as to the cause, responsibility.
and, IL the facts warranted. remedy
due. This course necessarily recon-
mended itself from the outset to the
executive. for only in the light Of dis
passionately ascertained certainty could
II determine the nature and measure of
its full duty in the matter.
THE usual proceedings were followed
rs in all cases of casualties. disaster TO
national vessels or any maratime state.
A naval court of inquiry was at once
organized. composed Of officers well
qualified by rank and practical expert
ence TO discharge the onerous duty i'm
force of wreckers and divers the court
proceeded to make a thorough investi-
CATION on the spot. employing every
available means 1or an impartial and
exact determination OF the cause of the
explosion. Its operations have been
conducted with utmost deliberation
and Judgment. and while independents
~ pursued. no source Of information
was neglected and the fullest oppor-
tunity was allowed for simultaneous
investigation by the Spanish authori-
ties. The finding Of the court OF in
quiry was reached. after % days oi
continuous labor. on the 2lst of March
and having been approved on the 22d
by the commander-in-chlef OF the ma
val force OF the North Atlantic sta
tion. was transmitted to the executive.
1t is herewith laid before congress
together with the voluminous testi-
/ mony taken before the court. Its pur-
port is in brief as follows: When the
/ Maine arrived at Havana she was con-
Quoted by a regular government piloi
1 To buoy No. g. TO which she was moores