The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-04-01
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
No Recommendation Is Made Regarding
Action to Be Taken.

Washington, March 29.-The presi-
dent today sent the following message
to congress:
''To 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 advantages to follow the visits
of naval ships to Cuban waters in &C
customing people to the presence of our
flag as a symbol of good will and of our
ships in fulfillment of the mission of
protection to American interests, even
though no immediate need therefor
might exist. Accordingly, on the 25th
of January last, after conference with
the Spanish minister, in which a re-
newal of the visits of our vessels to
Spanish water was discussed and ac-
cepted, the peninsular authorities at
Madrid and Havana were advised of
the purpose of this government to re-
sumo friendly naval visits at Cuban
ports, and that with that end in view
the Maine would forthwith call at the
port of Havana.
''This announcement was received
by the Spanish government with ap-
probation of the friendly character of
the visit of the Maine and with notifi
cation of an intention to return the
courtesy by sending Spanish ships to
the principal ports of tie United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the
port of Havana on the 25th of January,
her arrival being marked with no spe-
cial incident besides the exchange of
customary salutes and ceremonial visits.
1.-The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No appreciable
excitement attended her stay. On the
contrary, feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption of long
interrupted friendly intercourse. So
noticeable was this immediate effect of
her visit that the consul-general strong
ly urged that the presence of our ships
in Cuban waters should be kept up by
retaining the Maine at Havana. or in
the event of her recall, by sending an
other vessel there to take her place.
cat 40 minutes past O'Clock in the
evening of the 10th of February, the
Maine was destroyed by an explosion,
by which the entire forward part of
the ship was utterly wrecked. In this
catastrophe, two officers and 26O men,
bers of her crew perished, those who
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 hull
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neigh boring vessels anchored in the
harbor, aid being especially given by
the boats of the Spanish cruiser AL
phonso XII and the Ward line steamer
City of Washington, which lay not far
distant. The wounded were generously
cared for by the authorities of Ha-
vana, the hospitals being freely opened
to them, while the earliest recovered of
the bodies 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 crush
ing force, and for brief time intense
excitement prevailed, which, in COM
munity less just and selfishly con-
trolled, must have led to hatsy acts of
blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever, eoon gave way to the calrner pro-
cess of reason and to a resolve to in
vestigate the facts and. await material
proof before forming judgment as to
the responsibility, and if the facts
warranted the remedy due. This
from the outset to the executive, for
only in the light of dispassionately
ascertained certainty could it deter
mine the nature and measure it's full
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
qualified by rank and practical expert
ence to discharge the onerous duties
imposed npon them, and, accompanied
by strong force of wreckers and div
ers, the court proceeded to make a
thorough investigation on the spot,
employing every available means for an
impartial and exact determination as
to the cause of the explosion. its oper-
ations have been conducted with the
utmost deliberation and judgment,
and while independently pursued, no
) source of information was neglected
and the fullest opportunity was allowed
for simultaneous investigation by the
Spanish authorities.
The findings of the court of inquiry
were reached after % days. continuous
labor, on the 21st of March, and hav
ing been approved on the 22d, by the
commander-in-chief of the naval force
of the North Atlantic station, were
transmitted to the executive. 1t is
herewith laid before congress, together
with the voluminous testimony taken
before the court, which is in brief as
follows:
"When the Maine arrived at Havana
she was conducted by regular govern
ment pilot to buoy No. 4, to which she
was moored in from 51a to 6 fathoms
of water. The state of discipline on
board and the condition of her maga-
zines, boilers, coal bunkers and storage
compartments are passed in review,
with the conclusion that excellent order
prevailed and that no indication of any
Atlanta, Ga, March 3O.-Firemen
rssnondinp To an alarm found the