The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-04-06
FULL TEXH
or FresIdent AIeIxipie,,a message 70 Com

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gress ON Maine Disaster.
Washingtoa, March 28.AThe presi-
dent sent the following message to con-
gress:
To the Congress of the United States
For some time prior to the visit OF the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular rep
resentatfves pointed out the advantages to
dow from the visit OF national ships to the
union waters, In accnstoming the people
to the presence OF our flag as the symbol
OF good Will and of our ships In the fulil1-
ment of the mission of protection to Amer
lean interests. even though no immediate
need therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the 24th OF January last,
after conference with the Spanish minister
In which the renewal OF visits OF our war
vessels to Spanish waters was discussed
md accepted, the peninsular authorities at
Madrid and Havana were advised OF the
purpose OF this government to resume
friendly naval visits ut 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 with notification of intention to re-
turn the courtesy 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 arriv-
al being marked with no special incident
besides the exchange OF customary salutes
and ceremonial visits
The Maine continued in the harbor of
Havana during the three weeks following
her arrival. No appreciable excitement at
tended her stay; on the contrary, feeling
OF relief and confidence followed the re-
sumption of the long interrupted inter
course.
So noticeable was this Immediate efect
of her visit that the consul general strong
" urged that the presence OF our ships In
Cuban waters should be kept up by re-
tanning the Maine at Havana. or, In the
event of her recall. by sending another
vessel there to take her place.
Time OF the ExPIoaIon.
At 40 minutes past nine In the evening
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 persisted. those who were not
ned between decks by the tangle OF week
age and drowned by the Immediate sinking
OF the hull.
Prompt assistance was rendered by the
neIghboring vessels anchored In the harbor,
aid being especially given by the boats
of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso XII and
the Ward line steamer City OF Washington,
which lay not far distant.
The wounded were generously cared for
by the authorities OF Havana the hos
pitfalls being freely opened to them. while
the earliest recovered bodies OF the dead
were inferred by the municipality In a
public cemetery In the city
Tributes of grief and sympathy were Of
fered from -hll oficiaI quarters Of the
island
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people OF our country with crushing force
and for brief time an Intense excitement
prevailed. which In community less just
and self-controIled than ours might have
led to hasty acts of blind resentment.
This spirit. however, soon gave way to
the calmer processes OF reason and to the
resolve to inEestIgate the facts and await
rfon n
as to the cause, the responsibility and IL
the facts warranted. the remedy due
This course necessarily recommended If
self from the outset to the executive. for
only in the light of dispEssionately as.
certained certainty could 1t determine the
nature and measure OF fits fun duty In the
matter.
In all cases OF casualty or disaster, to ma
tional vessels or any maritime state.
naval court OF inquiry was Mt once or
gan1zed, composed OF onicers we'll quali-
ned by rank sand practical experience to
discharge the onerous duty imposed upon
them.
Thorough IavestIEation Made.
Aided by strong force Of wreckers and
divers the court proceeded to make q
thorough Investigation ON the spot. em-
pIoyIng every available means for the Inn
partial and exact determination OF the
causes of the explosion
Its operations have been conducted With
while independently pursued mo- source OF
Information Was neglected and the fullest
opportunity was allowed for simultaneous
investigation by the Spanish authorities.
The finding OF the court OF inquiry was
reached after .twenty-three days OF eontinu-
Dus labor. the DIST Of March, fnstansi
and having been approved the I'D by
the eomnlani.er-In-chicf Of the United
States naval force on the North AtlantIe
station was transmitted to the executive.
It Is herewith laid before the congress.
together with the yoluminous testimony
taken before the court
Its purport Is, In brief. as followas When
the Maine arrived at Havana she was CON
ducted by the regular government pilot
to buoy No. a, to which she WAS noored
In from i've and one-haR to six fathong
OF water.
The state OF discipline on board and the
condition, OF her mazagfnes, boilers, coal
bunkers and storage compartments are
passed In review, With the conclnsion that
excellent order prevaiIed and that no Indi-
cation OF any cause for an internal explo-
sion existed In any quarter.
AT 8 O'clock In the evening OF February