Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-03-28
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Accompanying the Report OF the Board of
- Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 28.-The
President today sent Hhe 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 visit. of
national ships to Cuban waters, in ac-
customing.pe topresence of our flag
as symbol of good will and our ships
in fullillment of mission of protec-
ton to American interests, even though
no immediate need therefor might
exist.
Mission of the "Maine."
Accordingly on 25th of January, 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 penin-
sular authorities at Madrid and
Havana were advised of the purpose of
this government to resume friendly
udy0t tlDlLO al OuDdA BOt 10, ob0 tn0b
in this view, the MAINE" would forth
with call at the port of Havana.
This announcement was received blythe
Spanish government with an apprecia-
ton of the friendly character of
the visit of the Maine
and notifications of the in
tention to return the courtesy by send
ing Spanish ships to the principal
ports of the United States. Mean
while, the MAINE entered the port of
I Havana on the 25th of January, her
arrival being marked with no special
incident besides the exchange Of Gus
i tomarY salutes and ceremonial visits.
Confidence Restored.
| The sMaine" continued In the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks
| following her arrival. No appreciable
excitement attended her stay. On the
contrary, feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption OF a
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
1 So noticeable was this Immediate effect
J of her visit, that the Consul General
strongly urged the presence of our ship
/ in Cuban waters should be kept up by
retaining her at Havana, or in the
event of her recall, by sending another
vessel there to take her place.
Prompt Assistance Rendered,
| At forty minutes past nine on the
evening of the 10th of February the
1 Maine was destroyed by an explosion
by which the entire forward part oI
the ship was utterly wrecked. In this
catastrophe two officers and. 260 Of hel
crew perished, those who were mol
killed outright by the explosion being
} penned between decks by the tangle ol
wreckage and drowned by the imme'
date sinking Of the hull. Promp
assistance was rendered by neighbor-
J ing vessels anchored in the harbor, air
} being especially given by boats Of th'
Spanish cruiseri "AlpiIonsoe Kill" .ant
J the Ward line steamer, "City OF Wash
ington," which lay not far distant. ,Th
II wounded were generously cared for b,
the authorities Of Havana, the hospital
being freely opened to them, while th
earliest recovered bodies Of the 'dea,
0 elwere inferred by the municipality in
' public cemetery In the city,. Tribute
! of grief and sympathy were offere'
: from all official quarters Of the island
B The Peopls's rorbearancs.z 4 s
J. The appalling calamity fell upon th
: people Of our country with crushin
:, force, and for brief time an. intens
y excitement prevailed, which Ia d com
immunity less just aud self centrolIe