The silver lance., 1898-04-01

For some time prior to the visit of the
Maine TO Havana harbor our consular
representatives pointed out the advan-
taoes to follow visits of national ships
~ the Cuban waters, in accustoming
tho people to the presence of our flag
az the symbol of good will and of our
sh;ns in the fulfillment of the mission
~ nrotection to American interests,
oven though no immediate need there
for might exist.
Accordingly. on the 18th of Janu-
arv last, after a conference with the
snanIsh minister, in which the renewal
of visits of our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted
tbe peninsular authorities at Madrid
and Havana We're advised of the pur-
nose 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 notifica-
tion 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
snecial incident besides the exchange
of customary salutes and ceremonial
visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No appreciab BILE
excitement attended her stay; on the
contrary. a feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption of the
long Interrupted friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was the immediate eff
feet of her visit that the consul gen
eral strongly urged that the presence
of our ships in Cuban waters should
be 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 0 in the even
ing of the 10Th of February, the Maine
was destroyed by an explosion. by
which the entire forward part of the
ship was utterly wrecked. In this ca
tastrophe two officers and 26O 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 i'm
mediate sinking of the hull. PROMPT
assistance was rendered by the neigh
boring vessels anchored in the harbor.
aid being especially given by the boats
OF the Spanish crui ef Alphonso Mi.
and the Ward line steamer City of
washington, which lay not far distant.
The wounded were generously cared
Tor by the authorities of Havana. the
hospitals being freely opened to them.
While the earliest recovered bodies of
the dead were inferred by the muni-
elpallty in the public cemetery in the
city. Tributes of grief and sympathy
We're offered from all official quarters
of the island.
Inc appalling calamity fell upon the
people of our country with crushing
iorce and for a brief time an intense
excitement prevailed. which in a COM
muhlty less just and self-controlled
uah ours must have led to hasty acts
vi DINO resentment. This spirit. how
e'er' soon gave way to the calmer pro-
cesses OF reason and to the resolve to
investigate the facts and await the
na'erial proof before forming a iudg-
"ieht as TO the cause. the responsibility
uhd' II the facts warranted. the rene
ny due This course necessarily rec
o"lhehded itself from the outset to the
.AecutlVe, for only in the light of a
u'spassionately ascertained certainty
could it determine the nature and
"'easure OF its full duty in the matter.
Inc usual procedure was followed,
40 III all cases of casualty or disaster
national vessels of any maritime
'."'e' naval court of inquiry was
at once organized. composed of officers
well qualified by rank and practical
.Aperiehce to discharge the onerous
GUY imposed upon them Aided by
strong force of wreckers and divers.
'"e court proceeded to make a thor
s'sn investigation on the spot. en-
p'o!ihg every available means for the
impartial and exact determination of
eie causes of the explosion. Its opera
.ons nave been conducted with the
1,most deliberation and Judgment. and
"A'ie independently pursued. no
'uiee oil information was neglected
' .he fullest opportunity was al
,'"ed Tor simultaneous Investigation
=. The Spanish authorities.
Inc hnding of the court of inquiry
~ vas reached after twenty-three days
" continuous abor, on the 21st of
'h, instant, and having been ap-
proved on the 22d by the commander
.H-ciiief of the United States naval