Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-03-31
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
~, r.co,uuendatiou l. Made Heghr"lhg
Action to lie Taken

dent to-day sent tlIN A0''""'"S
to congress-
"To the congress of the United
ct,tes-For some time prior to the
visit nj the Maine to Havana harbot
our consular representatives. Poii''e'i
ont the advantages to iollp" the Nls'''
Of naval ships to Cuban waters IN ac-
cnstomiug people to the presence OF our
nag a. a symbol OF good will and OF our
ehins in fulfllment Of the mission OF
motection to American interests, even
thourh no immediate need therefor
miuht exist. Accordingly, on the @o'h
of January last, after conference Win
the Spanish minister, in when re-
ncwal of the visits OF our vessels 10
Spanish water was discussed and ac-
cctted. the pcninsnlar authorities AT
Madrid and Havana were advised OF
the purpose Of this government to re-
sump friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports. and that with that end IN view
the Maine would forthwith call at the
uoIt OF Havana.
"This announcement was received
by the Spanish government with APP
rreciation of the friendly character OF
the visit of the Maine and with notlil-
cation VI d" i",'i'''Vl' ~ ai,,rs 90
co"i ''9' - 'f y iT',i,o1 utato.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the
port of Havana on the Goth o! January,
her arrival being marked with no spe-
clal incident besides 'h' cAO''"i'-0 w
customary salutcs ana CEREMONIAL N'9i'9'
Tine Maine continued IN the harl"r
of Havana during the three weeks lol-
lowing her arrival. No arpreclAple
excitement attended her stay. Oh tile
contrary, a feeling OF relief ana cohu-
dencc followed the resumption OF long
interrupted friendly intercourse. 80
noticeable was tins immediate effect OF
her visit that the consul-generai strong
ly urged that the presence OF our silp5
in Cuban waters should be kept up 10y
retaining the Maine at Havana, or IN
the event Of her recall, by sending an
other vessel there to take her pace
At 40 minutes past . O'CLOCK III the
evening OF the 10th Of February, the
Maine was destroyed by an explosion,
by which the entire forward part Oh
the ship WAS utterly wrecked. In TINS
catastrophe, two officers and 26O mem
bers OF her crew persisted, those VINO
were not killed outright by her eXplo-
sion being penned between decks by
the tangle OF wreckage and drowned by
the Immediate sinking OF the null
Prompt assistance was rendered by
nelghborlng vessels anchored III the
harbor, and beng especially gwen by
the boats OF the Spanish cruiser AL
phonso All and the Ward lire steamer
City OF Washington, which lay not tar
distant. The wounded were generously
care" lof .! ti't "utAoi !'ies Vi ia,
N"ia' 'he nos l't"'7 DOING lree'F opened
10 ti'e4n' "lllle 'he e"'l!e7t iecoNe'c' VI
'le "o'!ies were inferred ~ 'i'c iilu''iC'-
panty ia 'nc l'uc'lo oeLlctci! III 'l'e
CITY - l'iou'es VI s,,el anu si"P"'"S
were onerci ir'in an OFFICIAL quarters
u Wv iS'"ii"'
The appalling calamity Tell upon
the people OF our country with crush
ing force, and for brief time intense
excitement prevailed, when. IN a com
munlty less just and selfshly con-
trolled, must have led to hatsy acts OF
blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever, soon gave way to the calmer pro
cess OF reason and to resolve to in
vestisate the facts and await material
proof before forming Judgment as to
the responsibility, and II the facts
warranted the remedy due. This
course necessarily recommended itself
from 'he outset 10 'he executive loF
ON! III 'ile ilSht Oh "lSpasalohateiy
ascef'alhea certainty could II deter
mime 'he nature anu measure It's lull
DUTY IN the matter.
The usual procedure was followed
as in cases Of casualty or disaster to
national vessels of any maritime state.
a naval court OF inquiry was at once
organized, composed of officers well
quallhed by rank ana practical expert
tilce u uiScll"fge 'Ne ohefous dulles
imposed upon them' and, accompanied
ny strong lorce OF "reckers and DIV
ols' '"e co"i' pfoceeued 10 make
lhorough investigation on the spot,
en- ploN iHS every aNallab!e means tor an