Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-29

washington, March zS.-Ihe PreSi-
dent to-day sent the following message
to Congress:
To the Congress Of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit of
the Maine to Havana harbor our con-
advantages to flow from the visit Of
national ships to the Cuban waters, in
accustoming the people to the presence
of our flag as the symbol of good will
and of the ships in the flfillment of
the mission of protection to American
interests, even though no immediate
need therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the oath of January
last, after conference with the Span
ish minister, in which the renewal Of
visits of our war vessels TO Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted, the
neninsular authorities at Madrid and
Havana were advised of the purpose of
this government to 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
-; 20 iy,aI
ports of the United States. Meanwhile
the Maine entered the port of Havana
on the 18th of January, her arrival be-
ing marked with no special incident be-
sides the exchange of customary aa-
lutes and ceremonial visits.
The Maine continued in the harbor
Of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival No appreciate
excitement attended her stay; on the
contrary, feeling of relief and con-
fdence followed the resumption of the
long interrupted
FRIENDLY INTERCOURSE.
So noticeable was this immediate eff
feet of her visit that the consul general
strongly urged that the presence OF
our ships in Cuban waters should be
kept up by retaining the Maine at Ha-
vana or. in the event of her recall, by
sending another vessel there to take
her place
At forty 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 Oh
her crew persisted, those who were not
killed outright by her explosion being
penned between decks by the tangle OF
wreckage and drowned by the immedi-
ate sinking of the hull. Prompt assist
ance was rendered by the neighborfng
vessels anchored in the harbor, aid be-
ing especially given by the boats OF
the Spanish cruiser AlphOnso XII. aGd
the Ward Line steamer City OF wash
ington, which lay not far distant the
wounded were generously cared for by
the authorities of Havana, the hospl-
tails being freely opened to them, while
the earliest recovered bodies of the
dead were inferred by the municipality
in public 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 our country with crushing
force, and for a brief time an intense
excitement prevailed which in COM
munity less just and self-conrolled
IMAM ours, might have led to hasty acts
OF blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever soon gave way to
THE CALMER PROCESS
Of reason and to the resolve to inyes-
tgate the facts and await material
proof before forming a Judgment as to
the cause, the responsibility, and If The
lacts warranted, the remedy due. This
course necessarily recommended itself
from the outset to the executive, for
only in the light of a dispassionately
ascertained certainty could it deter
mine the nature and measure of its full
uuty IN the matter.
he usual procedure was followed.
as IN all cases of casualty or disaster
10 national vessels of any maritime
state A naval court OF inquiry was at
oAce organized, composed OF officers
We'll qualified by rank and practical eA-
perience to discharge the onerous duty
imposed upon them. Aided by strong
Iorce of wreckers and divers. the court
proceeded to make thorough invesil-
cation on the spot, employing every
available means for the impartial ard
exact determination of the causes OF