The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-04-14
THE MAINE DISASTER,
Some Important and Interestin =
Points Are Deyeloned.


The, consular correspondence in part was
devoted to the Maine disaster, and in this
part Of the ccrrespc nderce some important and
interesting points developed The CORE
spcnoence consists largely of cabegrams ex-
changed by Assistant Secretary of State Day
and Consul General Lee. The first OF the tele-
grams is dated at Havana JAM r. and relates
to the riots which were then occurring in the
city. This and the subsequent kilograms upon
tIe same subject have been published either
in Whole or in part
state department that the Maine would call
at Havana in a day or Two and was directed
to make arrangements for interchange OF
friendly calls between officers and authorities.
Under the same date Gen. Lee advised
postponement of the Names visit fer six or
seven days, that the excitement might abate
Later on the Same day Gen. Lee was notified
that the Maine would arrive in Havana the
EeXt day, and was asked to cooperate with
the authorities for her friendly visit.
Wiring the state department the next day
Gen. Lee informed the state department that
the Spanish authorities professed to think
the United States had an Interior purpose in
sending the ship.
Say it will obstruct autonomy, produce
excitement and most probably a demonstra-
ton. Ask that it is not done until they can
get instructions from Madrid, and say that if
important
The kilograms from Jan. % to Feb. relate
merely to the reception Of the Maine and the
exchange OF visits between her officers and
the civil and naval authorities in Havana.
On Feb t. Assistant Secretary Day in
formed Gen. Lee that the secretary of the
navy thought it imprudent for sanitary rea-
sons to keep the Maine longer in Havana
He asked if some vessels had been kept there
all the time and requestd his vshrdu shrdlu
all the time and requested his views
In reply Gen. Lee said he thought there
would be no danger to the health of the vessel
crew before May.
I'VE should not relinquish the position Of
peaceful control of the situation conditions
wol Id be worse than if the vessel had never
been sent. Americans would depart with their
families in haste if no vessel was in the
harbor on account Of the distrust of preserva-
ton of order by the authorities. If another
riot OCCURS it will be against the governor
general and autonomy, but it might include
an anti-Amercan demonstration Also A first
class battleship should replace the present one
If relieved as an object lesson and to counter
act spanish opinion Of our navy, and we
should have a torpedo boat with it to preserve
communication with the admiral r..
The next telegram of Importance was sent
by Gen. Lee early on the morning of Feb. 16,
announcing to the state department the de-
struction of the Maine. The telegram has been
published. During the forty-eight hours that
followed Gen. Lee kept the department in
formed of the occurrences in chronological or
der. In a dispatch of Feb. % he said that
/ after the divers under Capt. Sigsbee had made
cursory examination OF the wreck, the
Spanish government would like to unite with
ours in having the bottom of the ship and
harhor in the vicinity jointly examined. $,#
& The next day Judge Day Informed Gen. Lee
that this government had already instructed an
investigation of the disaster which would be
conducted Independently. He added, however:
This government will afford every facility
1t can to the Spanish authorities in whatever
{ investigation they may see ut to make upon
their aart'' 49,
The first information of the cause Of the ex-
ploson was given by Gen. Lee on Eek. =,
when he teegraphet: IS
Copper cylinders ammunition found intact
y in ten-inch magazine starboardS side this
morning. Seems to show that magazine not
exploded Evidence beginning to prove ex-
plosion on port side by torpedo.
ESo,o IL ;,for Cd 10
IS that arrangements had been concluded for
j both governments to conduct independent in
vestgatione Of the disaster his enc,
In concluding his letter to Blanco Gen. Lee
i said: 555
II am quite sure that neither government
has any other object except to- ascertain all
the facts connected with the explosion OF the
Maine and that the great desire of both gov
ernmentsl is to proceed tremendously with tho
work. slS}
s AT this point correspondence between Cen.
Lee and the state department concerning the
Maine disaster abruptly terminates so far az
the report submitted to congress is con-
cerned. 81. 4