The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-04-22
TIE MAINE DISASTER.
Some Important and Interesting.
Points Are DeYeIOnel.


The consulaa: correspondence in part was
devoted to the Maine disaster, and in this
part of the correspondence some important and
interesting points are developed. The corre-
spcm6ence consists largely OF cablegrams en-
changed by Assistant Secretary of State Day
ard Consu-General Lee. The first Of the tele-
grams is dated at Havana Jan. IL. and relates
to the riots which were then occurring in the
city. This and tho subsequent kilograms upon
the same subject have been published either
in whole in part.
On Jan. 81 Gen. Lee was notified by The
state department ttat the Maine would call
at Havana in day or Two and was directed
friendly calls between officers and authorities.
UE!er tie se.-..,e date Gen. Lee advised a
postpcnem~nt Of the Maire's visit fer six or
seven days. that the excitement might abate.
Later on the day Gen. Lea notified
that the Maine would arrive in Havana the
next day. and was asked to cooperate with
the authorities for her friendly visit.
Wiring the state department the next day
Gen. Lee Informed the state department that
the Spanish authorities professed to think
the United States had an Interior purpose in
sending the ship.
''Say it will obstruct autonomy. produce
excitement and most probably de,nonstra-
ton. Ask that 1t is not done until they can
get instructions from Madrid. and say that IL
for friendly motives, as claimed. delay is I'M
important
The kilograms from Jan % to Feb. relate
merely to the reception of the Maine and the
exchange OF visits between her officers and
the civil and naval authorities in Havana
On Feb. 4, Assistant Secretary Day in
formed Gen. Lee that the secretary Of the
navy thought it imprudent for sanitary rea-
sons to keep the Maine longer in Havana
He asked II some vessels had been kept there
ell the time and requestd his vshrdu shrdiu
all the time and requested his views
In reply Gen. Lee said he thought there
would lie no danger to the health OF the vessels
crew before May.
I'VE should not rel.nquish the position Of
peaceful control Of the situation or conditions
wot Id be worse than if the vessel had never
families In haste If no vessel was in the
harbor, account OF the distrust of preserva-
ton of order by the authorities. II another
riot occu:s 1t will be against the governor
general and autonomy, but it might include
an anti-American demonstration also. A first
class battleship should replace the present one
II relieved as an object lesson and to counter
act spanish opinion of our navy. and we
should have torpedo boat with it to preserve
communication with the admiral"
The next telegram Of Importance was sent
by Gen. Lee early on the morning of Feb. IL.
announcing to the state department the. de-
struction OF the Maine. The telegram has been
followed Gen. Leo kept the department in
formed of the occurrences in chronological Or
der. In a dispatch of Feb. % he said that
after the divers under Capt. sigsbee had made
Spanish government would like to unite with
ours in having the bottom OF the ship and
harhor in the vicinity Jointly sxamine Cd
that this government had already instructed an
investigation of the disaster which would be
conducted independently. He added. however:
..This government will afford every facility
It can to the Spanish authorities In whatever
investigation they may see fit to make upon
their nart'
plosion was given by Gen. Lee on Fet. g:
when he telegraphed:
cooper cylinders ammunition iound intact
In ten-inch magazine starboard side this
morning Seems to show that magazine not
exploded. Evidence beginning to prove ex-
plosion on port side by torpedo"
Gen. Lee informed the department on Feb.
% that arrangements had been concluded for
both governments to conduct independent in
yestlgatlons OF the disaster. his correspondence
with Cen Blanco being transmitted in full.
In concluding his letter to Dlanco Gen. Lee
said: nj
has any other object except to ASCERTAIN. ali
the facts connected with the explosion of the
Maine and that the great desire of both gov-s
ernments Is to proceed harmonaoesly- with tho
work" rs q i$a3 ~ . s,
Lee and the stats department eonosrninS The
Maine disaster Abruptly terminates % far -
the report ,sabnnittS6 - congress = Co.
rerned. ggE S s,5