The record-union., 1898-04-12


ties for her friendly visit
Writing the State Department the
next day, General Lee informed the
Department that the Spanish authori-
ties professed to think the United
States had an ulterior purpose in send
ing the ship. Say it will obstruct au-
tonomy, produce excitement and
probably a demonstration. Ask that
it does not come until they can get
instructions from Madrid, and say that
if for friendly motives as claimed, de-
lay is unimportant."
The kilograms from January 25th to
February 4th relate merely to the re-
ception of the Maine and the exchange
of visits between her officers and the
naval and civil authorities in Havana.
On February 4th Assistant Secretary
Day informed General Lee that the
Secretary of the Navy thought it i'm
prudent, for sanitary reasons, to keep
the Maine long in Havana. He asked
ii some vessels had been kept there
all the time and requested his views
In reply General Lee said he thought
there would be no danger to the health
of the vessels crew before May. We
should not relinCuish the position of
peaceful control of the situation, or
conditions would be worse than if the
vessel had never been sent. Americans
are departing with their families in
haste on account of the distrust of the
preservation of order by authorities
If another riot occurs will be against
the Governor-General and autonomy,
but might include antiAmerican DEM
onstration also A first-class battle
ship should replace the present one, if
relieved, as object lesson, and to coun-
teract Spanish opinion of our navy and
should have torpedo boat With it to
preserve communication with Ad-
miral"
The next telegram of Importance was
sent by General Lee early on the morn
ing of February 10th, announcing to
the State Department the destruction
of the Maine. That telegram has been
published. During the forty-eight
hours that followed General Lee kept
the department informed of the oc-
currences in chronological order.
In dispatch of February 2Sth he
said that after the divers under Cap
tain Sigsbee had made a cursory ex-
animation of the wreck "the Spanish
Government would like to unite with
ours in having the bottom of the ship
and harbor in the vicinity Jointly ex-
amned"
The next day Judge Day informed
General Lee that his Government had
already constituted an investigation of
the disaster. which would be conducted
independently He added, however:
This Government will afford every ia
Icility it can to the Spanish authorities
in whatever investigation they may see
fit to make on their part"
The first intimation of the cause of
the explosion was given by General
Lee on February 22d, when he tele-
graphed Copper cylinder ammunition
found intact in 10-inch forward maga-
zine starboard side this morning. Seems
to show that magazine not exploded.
Evidence beginning to prove explosion
on port side by torpedo"
General Lee informed the department
on February 2Sth that arrangements
had been concluded for both Govern
ments to conduct independent investi-
cations of the disaster, his correspond
ence with General Blanco being trans
mitted in full.
In concluding his letter to Blanco
General Lee said: II am quite sure
that neither Government has any other
object except to ascertain all the facts
connected with the explosion of the
Maine and that the great desire of
both Governments is to proceed har-
moniously with the work"
At this point correspondence between
General Lee and the State Department
concerning the Maine disaster abruptly
terminates, so far as the correspond
ence submitted to Congress is con-
cerned