The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-04-05

washington, March 2S-The president
to-day sent the following message to con-
gress:
For some time prior to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular re-
norts pointed out the advantages to fol-
low from the visit of national ships to
the Cuban waters in accustoming the
,7eople to the presence of our flag as the
symbol of good will and of our ships in
the fulflment of the mission of protec-
zion to American interests even though
mo immediate need therefor might exist.
Accordingly on the 9th of January
last after conference with the Spanish
minister, in which the renewal of visits
of our war vessels to Spanish waters was
discussed and accepted, the peninsular
authorities at Madrid and Havana were
advised of the purpose of this govern
nent 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 appreciation of the friendly charac-
fer of the visit of the Maine, and with
notification of intention to return 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 ar
rival being marked with no special Incl
dent. besides the exchange of customary
salutes and ceremonial visits
The Maine continued in the harbor dur
ing the three weeks following her arrival.
No appreciate excitement attended her
stav On the contrary, a feeling of relief.
and confidence followed the resumption
of the long interrupted friendly inter-
course So noticeable was this immediate
effect 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 men at Havana, or, in
the event of her recall, by sending other
vessels there to take her place.
At forty minutes past nine in the even
ing of the 18th of February the Maine
was destroyed by an explosion, by which
the entire forward part of the snip was
utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two
officers and 200 of her crew perlShed,
these who were not killed outright by her
explosion being penned between decks by
the tangIe of wreckage and drowned by
the immediate sinking OF the nun.
Prompt assistance was rendered by the
neighboring vessels anchored in the mar
Dor, aid being especially given by the
boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso
XII and the Ward line steamer City or
Washington which lay not far distant.
The wounded were generously cared Ior
by the authorities of Havana, the hospI-
tails being freely opened to them, Whle
N'ON~N%
were inferred by the municipality In
public cemetery in the city tributes OIL
grief and sympathy were offered from
all official quarters of the island.
The Appalling Calamity
fell upon the people of our country Will
crushing force, and for brleI llme III
tense excitement prevailed, which, IN d
community less just and self-c ontrolled
than ours might have led to hasty acts
in resentment This spirit, however, soon
gave way to the calmer processes OIL red
son. and to the resolve to lnVestlgate the
facts and await the material PROOF before
forming Judgment as to the cause, ne
resnon sihility and. if the facts warrant
ell. the remedy due. This course neces-
sariIv recommended itself from the out
set to the executive, for only IN Inc ltSHI
of q dispassionately aScertalned certain
tv could it determine the nature anu
measure of it's full duty in the matter.
The usual procedure followed, as In all
cases Of casualty or disaster TO ndtlohdl
vessels of any maritime state. A naval
court of inquiry was at once organized
composed of officers we'll QudHueu ny
rank and practical experience 70 uls-
charge the onerous duty imposed upon
them. Aided by a strong force OF Wreck-
ers and divers the court proceeded 10
make thorough investigation on the
spot employing every available means loI
the impartial and exact determination oI
the cause of the explosion. us perd-
tions have been conducted with the ut
most deliberation and Judgment anu
while INDEPENDENTLY pursued no source
Of information was neglected ana the
fullest opportunity was allowed Tor
Simultaneous investigation by the Span
ish authorities
The finding of the court of inquiry was
reached after twenty-three days OF CON
tinuous labor on the 21st of March INST,
annrOVo0
the commander in-chief of the United
States naval force on the North Atlantic
station. was transmitted to the eXecu-
tive
It is herewith laid before the congress,
together with the voluminous testimony
taken before the court, It's purport 10 AZ
brief as follows:
When the Maine arrived at Havana
she was conducted by the regular gov
eminent pilot to buoy No. A, 10 Wnlcn she
was moored in from five ana one-hah 10
six fathoms of water
The state of discipline on DodIu anu
the condition of her magazine. poliers'
coal bunkers and storage compartments
are passed in review, with the concur
sion that excellent order preva1leu anu
that no indication of any cause LOT al
internal explosion existed in any quarter.
At o'clock in the evening of Feb. 10
everything had been reported secure anu
all was quiet.
At forty minutes past nine o'clock the
vessel was suddenly destroyed.
There were two distinct explosions,
with brief interval between them. The
first lifted the forward part of the ship
very perceptibly; the second, which was
more prolonged, is attributed by the court
to the partial explosion OF two or more
of the forward magazines.
The evidence of the divers establishes
that the after part of the ship was prac-
tieally intact and sank in that condition