The Monte Vista journal., 1898-04-02

Maine to Havana harbor our consular
representatives pointed out the advan-
| tages to follow visits OF national ships
to the Cuban waters, in accustoming
the people to the presence Of our nag
rs the symbol OF good will and OF our
ships in the fulfillment of the mission
Of protection TO American interests,
even though no immediate need there
for might exist.
Accordingly, on the 9th Of Janu-
nry last, after conference with the
| Spanish minister. in which the renewal
OF visits OF our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted.
the peninsular authorities at Madrid
and Havana " ere advised of the pur-
pose OF this government TO resume
| friendly naval visits at Cuban ports.
and that In that view the Maine would
! forthwith call at the port of Havana.
| This announcement was received by
the Spanish government with appreci-
alton of the friendly character OF the
visit OF the Maine and with notitica-
ton of Intention TO return the cour-
tesy by sending Spanish ships TO the
| principal ports of the United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered the port
OF Havana on the 18th OF January.
her arrival being marked with no
special incident besides the exchange
I Of customary salutes and ceremonial
I visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
OF Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No apprcciable
excitement attended her stay; on the
contrary, n feeling of relief and conf
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was the Immediate ef-
feet of her visit that the consul gen
cral strongly urged that the presence
of our ships In Cuban waters should
he kept up by retaining the Maine at
Havana. or in the event of her recall.
by sending another vessel there to take
her place.
At forty minutes past In the even
! Ing Of the 18th Of February. the Maine
|
which the entire forward part Of the
ship was utterly wrecked. In this ca
tns'rophc two officers and 2G0 OF her
crew pcrlshcd. those who were not
killed outright by her explosion being
pcnncd between decks by the tnngle
Of wreckage and drowned 10y the i'm
mediate sinking OF the hull. Prompt
assistance was rendered by the neigh.
boring vessels anchored In the hnrbor
aid being especially given by the boats
OF the Spanish cruiser Alphonso MI.
and the Ward line steamer City OF
Washington. which lay not far distant.
The wounded We're generously cared
for by the authorities OF Havana, the
hospitals being freely opened to them.
while the earliest recovered bodies of
the dead were Inferred by the mum.
cipality in the public cemetery In the
city. Tributes OF grief and sympathy
We're offered from all official quarters
OF the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon tho
people Of our country with crushing
force and for brief time nm intense
excitement prevailed. which In a com.
muniiy less Just and sclf.controllc,i
than ours mus, have led TO haaty acts
OF blind resentment. This spirit. how.
ever. soon gave way TO the caimcr pr,
ccsscs OF reason and to the resolve 10
investigate the facts and await the
material proof before forming n 1udg
ment ms TO the cause. the responsibility
and, II the facts warranted. the rene.
dy due. This course necessarily rec,
commended itself from the outset 10 ,h,
executive. for only In the light OF a
dlspassionntcly asccrtnlncd certainty
could II determine the nature and
measure OF Its full duty In the matter
The usual procedure was followed
as In all eases OF casualty or dlsastc,
to national vessels OF any mnrltlm,
state. A naval court Of Inquiry wa,
mt once organized. composed Of officer,
well qualified by rank and practical
experience 10 discharge the oncrou,
duty Imposed upon them. Aided b,
n strong force OF wrcckcrs and divers
the court proceeded 10 make = thor
ough Investigation on the spot, EN-
ploylng every available means for III,
impartial nnd exact ctcrminaiion OF
the causes of the explosion. Its opera
tions have been conducted with III,
utmost deilbcrn'ion and judgment. nnt
while Independently pursued. u,
source OF Information was neglected
nnd the fullest opportunity wns al
lowed for n simultaneous Investigation
by the Gpnni.h authorities.
The finding Of the court Of inquiry
wns reached after twcniy.thrrc day,
Of continuous labor. OH the ?ist oi
March. instant. and nnving been sp
proved on the I'D by tho comma ntcr
in.chicf Of the United States navn
force on the North Atlantic station
was transmitted to the executive.
II is herewith laid before the Con
grcss. together with the voluininon,
testimony taken before the court. II,
purport is. In brief. ns follows:
When the Mninc arrived at Havana
she wns conducted by tic regular gov
crnmcnt pilot boat 10 buoy No. 4. e
which she was moorcd In from nvs
and onc.hnif 10 six fnthoins Of water
The state of discipline On board and
the condition Of her pngnxincs. boil
rrs. coal bunkers nnd storage coinpart
,nrii,s nrc passed h, review. with III,