Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-28
NOV In CONGRESS-
The Maine Report Sub
mitted to Both Houses.
AN OUTSIDE EXPLOSION
The President Also Transmits a
Special Message.
RESPONSIBILITY Is UNDETERMINED
RESPONSIBILITY is UNDETERMINED
Unqualified Opinion Expressed as
to the Cause.
CAPT. SIGSBEE EXONERATED

The President today 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 consular rep
| resentatives pointed out the 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
soo'l will and Of our ships In the fulfill
merit of the mission Of PROTECTION to Ameri-
can interests. even though no immediate
need therefor might exist.
Accordir gly, on the Oath of January last,
after conference with the Spanish Minister
in which the renewal of visits Of our war
vessels to Spanish waters was discussed
ard accepted, the penfnsalar authorities
at Madrid and Hevana 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 notifications of intention to
return the courtesy by sending Spanish
| SHipo " Inc principal pUtES DI LAC OnlIeQ
States Meanwhile the Maine entered the
port of Havana on the 25th Of January,
her arrival 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 arpreeiable excitement at
tended her stay; on the contrary, a feel
ing Of relief and confidence followed the
resumption of the long-interrupted friendly
intercourse. So noticeable was this i'm
mediate 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 Maine at Havana,
or, in the event OF her recall, by sending
another vessel there to take her place.
She Was BlOwn Up.
AT forty minutes past nine in the evening
of the 18th of February the Maine was de-
stroyed by an explosion, by which the
entire forward part of the ship was utterly
wrecked. In this catastrophe two officers
and two hundred and sixty-four of her
crew pc-tshed, those who we're not killed
outright by her explosion being penned
between decks by the tangie of wreckage
and drowned by the Immediate sinking of
the hull
iouipl dSSlStdHCe was TeNQeTeQ Dy CQG
neighooring vessels anchored in the har-
Dor, 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 authori-
ties Of Havana, the hospitals being freely
opened to them, while the earliest recov-
cred bodies Of the dead were inferred by
the municipality in a 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 peo-
pie Of our country with crushing force. and
for brief time an intense excitement pre-
vailed, which in community less just and
self-controlled than ours might have led
to hasty eacts Of blind resentment. This
spirit, however, soon gave way to the calm
er processes of reason and to the resolve
to investigate the facts and await material
proof before forming judgment as to the
cause, the responsibility and If the facts
warranted, the remedy due. This course
necessarily recommended itself from the
outset to the executive, for only in the
light of dispassionatsIy ascertained GER
ta.nty could 1t determine the nature and
measure Of its full duty In the matter.
The usual procedure was followed as in
all cases Of casualty or disaster to ma
tional vessels of any maritime state A ma
val court OF inquiry was at once organized,
composed Of officers well eualihsd by rank
and practical experience y discharge the
Oh erous duty imposed upon them. Aided
by strong force Of wreekers and divers,
the court proceeded u make . thorough
investigation on the spot, employing every
available means for the inpart1al and ex-
act determination Of the causes of the ex-
p-osion. Its operations have bean conduct
ed with the utmost delibe1ation and judg-
ment. and. while Independently pursued. no
source of information ives neslected, and
the fullest opportunity was allowed for
simultaneous investigations by the Spanish
Authorities.
The finding of the court Of inQuiry was
reached after twenty-the6e days OF con-
tinuous labor, on the 21Ak of March, in
stant, and having been approved on the
22d by the commander-in-chief of the
United States naval force on the north At
lantic station was transmitted to the
Executive.
1t Is herewith laid before the Congress,
together with the voluminous testimony
taken before the court.
Its purport IS. In brlsf, as follows:
Brief Of the Findinxs.
When the Maine arrived at Havana she
Was conducted by thasregulnr soyerhment
pilot. to buoy No. Ito which she was
moored in from five and ene-haif to six
fathoms of water.
The state Of discipline IN board and the
Continued on Ninth lase)