The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1898-03-31


WASHINGTON, March 29-The presi-
dent Monday sent the following mes
Iace 20 congress:
To the Congress of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit of
the Maine TO Havana harbor our con-
sular representatives pointed out the
ADVANTAGES To flow from the visit of
national ships to the Cuban waters, in
accu>toming the people to the pres
epcc Of our fag as the symbol of good
4 will aud Of our ships in the fulfillment
q the mission of protection to Amer
lean interests. even though no imme-
date need therefore might exist.
Accordingly on the cath % January
last after conference with the spanish
minister, in which the renewal of
visits ot our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted. the
pennSular authorities at Madrid and
Havana were advised of the purpose Of
this government 10 resume friendly
naval visits at Cuban ports, and that
IN that view the Maine would forth
with call at the port of Havana. This
announcement was received by the
Spanish government with appreciation
Of the friendly character of the visit
of the Maine and with notification of
intention to return the courtesy by
sending Spanish ships TO the principal
ports Of the United States. Mean
while the Name entered the port of
Havana on the 95th Of January, her
arrival being marked with no special
incident besides the exchange Of GUS
,omary salutcs 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. feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption Of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse.
30 noticeable was this immediate ef-
feet Of her visit that the consul gener-
al strongly urged that the presence of
our ships in Cuban waters should be
kept up 10y retaining the Maine at
Havana. or in the event of her recall.
10y sending another vessel there TO take
her pace
AT 30 minutes past nine in the even
ing Of the 18th of February the Maine
was destroyed by an explosion, by
which the entire forward part of the
ship was utterly wrecked. In this
catastrophe two officers and 264 of her
crew pcrlshed, those who were not
Killed outright by the explosion being
penned between decks by the tangle of
"reckage and drowned by the imme-
date sinking of the hull. Prompt as
s'>tance was rendered by the neigh bor-
ny vessels anchored in the harbor, aid
beng especially given by the boats of
the spanish cruiser Alphonso MI. and
The Ward line steamer CITY of Wash
lhg'on, which lay not far distant. The
wounded were generously cared for by
lhe authorities of Havana, the hos
pl'aIS being freely opened TO them,
while the earliest recovered bodies of
'he dead we're inferred by the mu-
h'c'paliiy in rublic cemetery in the
city Tributes of grief and sympathy |
were offered from all official quarters
Of the island.
Ihe appalling calamity fell upon the
people OF our country with crushing |
iofce and for brief time an intense
excitement prevailed, which ia com
'nuhi'y less just and self-controlled |
'nah ours. might have led to hasty acts
'' 'ind resentment This spirit, how
'''r' soon gave way TO the calmer pro-
uses OF reason and TO the resolve to
investigate the facts and await ma
.'rlai proof before forming Judgment
- 10 'he cause. the responsibility and,
!. -. .he lacts warranted, the remedy due.
MS course necessarily recommended
'Se'i from the outset to the executive
or on ~ IN the light of a dispassion-
'"'y ascertaincd certainty could il de-
tr'nlne the nature and measure of its
ull duty in the matter.
me usual procedure was followed.
. IN all cases of casualty or disaster TO
,"uohai vessels ofany maritime state.
naval court Of inquiry was at once
'saniIed, composed OF officers we'll
Iua'ined by rank and practical expcr-
,nce 10 discharge the onorous duty
upon them. Aided by strong
o''e OF wreckers and divers, the court
'IOoetued to make thorough investi-
zion r on the spot. employing every
s"'iaoie means for the impartial and
NoT' determination of the causes OF 1
Its operations have been ,
ohducied with the utmost delibera. ,
ioh and judgment, and while inde-
ennently pursued, no source of infor- |
,a''on was neglected, and the fullest |
ppor'onlty was allowed for stimuli |
a1eons a, investigation by the Spanish
uthorities.
- ne hnding Of the court OF inquiry 4
a. 40 reached after 20 days Of continu- {
10 ,aoor. on the 9lst OF March, in +,
'sht, and having been approved on
he "a by the commander-in.chief OF ,
We 0p'Nd States psysl force on the /