The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-04-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


No Recommendation IL Made Regarding
Action to Be Taken.
Washington, March 29.-The presi-
dent today 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 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 re-
newal Of the visits of our vessels to
Spanish water was discussed and &C
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 Motif
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.
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. a 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 8 O'Clock in the
evening of the 10th of February, the
Maine was destroyed by an explosion,
by which the entire forward part oil
the ship was utterly wrecked. In this
catastrophe, two officers and $50 mem
bers of her crew persisted, 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
neighboring 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 fan
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 munici.
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, soon gave way to the calmer pro
cess of reason and to resolve to in
vestigate the facts and await material
proof before forming judgment as tt
the responsibility, and if the facts
| warranted the remedy due. This
course necessarily recommended itself
| from the outset to the executive, fol-
only in the light of a dispassionately
ascertained certainty could it deter
mine the nature and measure its full
duty in the matter.
"The usual procedure was followed
as in cases Of casualty or disaster tt
national vessels Of any maritime state
A naval court of inquiry was at once
organized, composed of officers vel
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
thorough investigation on the spot
employing every available means for al
impartial and exact determination al
to the cause of the explosion. Its oper
| atoms have been conducted with thu
utmost elaboration and judgment
and while independently pursued, NJ
source of information was neglected
and the fullest opportunity was allowed
Tor simultaneous investigation by thu
Spanish authorities.
s'The findings of the court OF inquiry
were reached after % days continuou'
labor, on the 21st of March, and ha,
ing been approved on the Cad, by TIT
! commander-in-chi of the naval fore,
of the North Atlantic station, were
transmitted to the executive. It il
herewith laid before congress, together
with the voluminous testimony takel
before the court, which is in brief a
follows:
.sWhen the Maine arrived at Havana
she was conducted by regular govern
ment pilot to buoy No. 4, to which sh'
was moored in from ~ to 6 fathOm
OF water. The state of discipline OF
board and the condition of her maya
zines, boilers. coal bunkers and storag'
compartments are passed IN review
with the conclusion that excellent orde'
prevailed and that no indication OF an
Atlanta "a March 3(.-Fir0mor