The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1898-04-02
PRESIDENTS MESsAelE:;
AND The REPORTS
Facts Are Stated But There Is No
attempt to Fix the Re-
sponslbility.
THERE'S AcHAace 1o6uEss STILL
Synopsis Of the Reports Accom-
panies the Message to
Congress.
EXCITEMENT is At WHITE HEAT
Thousands at the Capitol Unable TO
Gain Entrance to the Caller
les to Watch the Pro-
cccdinss.
THERE'S ACHANCE TO6uEss STILL
EXCITEMENT IS At WHITE HEAT

the occasion of the Inauguration OF a
president no such crowds MS surged
through the corridors and stormed the
galleries for admission have been seen
at the capital for a quarter of q cen
fury. Public interest over the report
of the Maine court of inquiry is at
white heat. The people began to as
semble by daylight and ut 0, three
hours before time for the houses OF
congress to meet, the public galleries
were crowded and there were long lines
of the disappointed stretching down
tho stairways.
Many distinguished persons were in
the reserved galleries and there was
nearly as much excitement o the
floors of the two houses as in the gal
leries though the Associated Press sum
mary of findings had taken much OF
the anxiety off.
AS soon US the senate was called tc
order the presidents message contain
ing a synopsis Of the report was read
as follows:
The Presidents Message.
For some time prior to the visit OF
the Maine to Havana harbor our consul
there reported and pointed out the ad-
vnntages to flow from n visit OF ma
tional ships to Cuban waters, in ac-
customing the people to the presence
of our flag as q symbol of good will
and of our ships in the fulfillment OF
the mission of protection to American
interests, even though immediate need
therefore does not exist.
Accordingly on the Gath of January
last, after a conference with the Span
ish minister in which n renewal OF
visits of our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed, and accepted.
the p%eninsular authorities at Madrid
and Havana were advised of the pur-
pose of this government to resume
friendly naval visits at Cuban ports,
and that the Maine would forthwith
call at Havana. This announcement
was received by the Spanish govern
ment with appreciation OF the friendly
character of the visit of the Maine and
with a notification of their intention
to return tho courtesy by sending
Spanish ships to the principal ports OF
the United States. In the meanwhile
the Maine entered the port of Havana
the 25th of January, her arrival being
marked by no special incident beside
nm exchange of customary salutes and
ceremonieal visits.
The Maine continued in harbor at
Havana during the three weeks follow
ing her arrival. No appreciable ex-
citement attended her stay, on the
contrary, q feeling of relief and con-
fdence followed the resumption of the
long interruption of friendly inter
course. So noticeable was this imme-
date effect. of her visit that the consul
general strongly urged that the pres
ence 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 to
take her place.
At forty minutes past 8 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 the ca
tastrophe two officers aud two hundred
and sixty of her crew persisted and
those not killed outright being penned
between decks by tangled wreckage
and drowned by the immediate sink
ing hull. Prompt assistance was rem
dered by neighboring vessels anchored
In the harbor, The Span
ish cruiser Alphonso XII and
Ward liner City of Washington,
which lay not far distant The wound
ed was generously cared for by the au-
thoritics of Havana, the hospitals be-
ing freely opened to them, while the
earliest recovered bodies of the dead
were inferred by the municipality i'll
apublic cemetery in the city. Tributes
of grief and sympathy were offered
from all official quarters OF the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people of II country with n crushing
force and for u brief time intense ex-
citement prevailed, which in a COM
munity less self controlled 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 n resolve to inyesti-
gate the facts, and await material
proof before forming a judgment as to
the cause of responsibility, and if facts
warranted, the remedy due. This
course necessarily recommended itself
from the outset to the executive, TO,
only in light of dispassionately ascer.
tanned certainty could it determine the
nature and measure of it's full duty in
the matter.
The usual procedure followed as il
all cases of casualty or disaster to ma.
tional vessels of any maritime state. A
naval court Of inquiry was at once or.
ganized, composed of officers well quail.
flied by rank and practical experience
to discharge the onerous duty imposed
on shem. Aided by u strong force o,
wreckers and divers the court proceed
ed to make a thorough investigation
and an exact determination Of causes
of the explosion. It's operations have
been continued with the utmost delib
Grafton and judgment and while indie.
pendently pursued no sources of infor
nation had been neglected and tho
fullest opportunity was allowed for /,
simultaneous investigation by thu
Spanish authorities.
The finding of the court OF inquiry
FAvORS A DECISIVE STEP.