Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-29

I was discussed and accepted, the PENN
sula authorities at Madrid and Habana
were advised of the purpose Of this gov
ernment to resume friendly naval visits
at Cuban ports. and that in that view,
the Maine would forthwith call at the
port of Habana.
This announcement was received by
the Spanish Government with apprecia
ton of the friendly character OF the
visit of the Maine. and with notification
OF an intention 10 return the courtesy by
sending Spanish ships to the principal
ports of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the port
OF Habana on the 25th of January, her
arrival being marked with no special in
cident, besides the exchange Of custo-
mary s9lutes and ceremonial visits. The
Maine continued in the harbor Of Habana
during the three weeks following her
arrival. No appreciable excitement at
tended her stay; on the contrary. feel
ing of relief and confidence followed the
resumption of the long interrupted
friendly intercourse. SO noticeable was
this immediate effect of her visit that
the Consul-General strongly urged that
the presence Cf our ships in Cuban
waters should be kept up, by retaining
the Maine at Habana. or, In the event
of her recall, by sending another vessel
there 10 take her place.
THE EXPLOSION.
"At forty minutes past in the eve
ming of the 18TH Of February the Maine
was destroyed by an explosion, by which
the eltire forward part OF the ship was
utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two
officers and 264 of her crew perished,
those who were not killed outright by
her explosion being penned between decks
by the tangle of wreckage and drowned
by the immediate sinking of the hull
Prompt assistance was rendered by
neiehboring vessels anchored in the har-
bor being especially given by the boats
of the spanish cruiser Alphonso MI. and
the Ward-Lne steamer City OF wash
ington, which lay not far distant. Ihe
wounded were generously cared Tor py
the authorities of Habana, the hospitals
being freely opened to them, while the
earliest recovered bodies of the dead
were inferred by the municipality in the
nublIc cemetery In the city. Tributes of
grief and sympathy were offered from
all official quarters of the island.
"The appalling calamity fell upon the
neople of our country with crushing
force and for a brief time an nte1se
excitement prevailed, which in a com
munity less just and self-controlled than
ours might have led to hasty acts CT
hind resentment This spirit howeve-,
soon gave way to the calmer process or
reasoning. and to the resolve TO lHVesu-
gate the facts and await material proof
before forming a Judgment as 10 the
cause. the responsibility, and, II the facts
warranted the remedy due. This course
necessarily recommended itself from The
outset to the Executive, for only In 'he
light of dispassionately ascertained
certainty could IL determine the nature
ana measure Of it, full duty In the mat
Ter The usual procedure was followed
az in All circumstances of casualty or
disaster TO the naval vessels OF any mari
time state.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
"a naval court of inquiry was al once
oreanized. composed of officers well-in-
formed by rank and practical experience
70 discharge the onerous duty imposed
unon them. Aided By strong force OF
- o,,d dIvers the court proceeded
70 make thorough investigation on the
spot. employing every available means
COR an impartial and exact determination
OF the causes Of the explosion. It's opera
tions have been conducted with the Ut
most denberation and Judgment ana
while independently pursued, no source
% information was neglected, and the
fullest opportunity was allowed ior