The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
DESTRUCTION OF THE MAINE.
This Act Convinced the Most Thought
lnI that a Crisis was at Hand.


Al this iuncture on the 18th OF February
/ last. occurred the destruction of the bat
teship Maine while rightfully lying In the
! harbor of Havana on a mission of inter-
national courtesy and goodwill catas-
trophe the suspicious nature and horror
of which stirred the nations heart pro-
f0undly.
IL Is a striking evidence Of the p0ise and
sturdy good sense distinguishing our ma
u0nal character that this shocking blow
falling upon genertus people, already
deeply touched by preceding events IN
Cuba. did not move them 10 an instant
desperate resolve L. tolerate no longer
the existence of a conditions OF danger and
disorder at our doors that made possible
such deed by whOmsOcVcr wrought. Yet
the instincts VI justice prevailed and the
nation anxiOusiy awaited the result Of
the searching investigation at once set
on foot. The finding Of the naval board
of inquiry established that the origin OF
the explosion was external by q sub-ma-
rine mine. and only halted, through lack
OF positive testimony 90 fix the response
biiity Of its authorship.
THE FINISHING BLOW
All these things carried conviction 20
the most thoughtful, even before the
finding Of the naval court. thar crisis
I'm our relations with Spain and toward
cuba was at hand. So strong was this
belief that il needed but brief execu-
Tive suggestion 90 Congress % receive i'm
mediate answer 10 the duty OF making in-
stant provision for the positive and per-
haps speedy probable emergency and q
remarkable. almost unique spectacle was
presented Of an unanimous vote OF both
Houses of the 9th of March, appropriate
ing .lfty million dollars "for the national
acfence and FOR each and every purpose
connected Herewith, 10 be expended at
the discretion of the President"
That this act OF provision came none too
soon was disclosed when the application
OF the fun0 was undertaken Our coasts
were practically undefcnded. Or navy
needed large provision for increased am
munition and supplies, and even num-
bers 20 cope with any sudden attack from
the navy of Spain. which comprised mod
ern vessels OF the highest type Of conti-
mental perfection our army also wanted
ammunition and men. The details for
the contingency were told in the reports
OF the Secretary OF War and OF the Navy
and need not be repeated here IL Is
sufficient TO say that the outbreak of war
when il did come found our nation not
unprepared TO meet The conflict Nor was
the apprehension Of the coming strife
confined to our own country
FOkEIGN lNrERCESsTON.
II was felt by the continental powers
which on April S,h through their ann
bass1dors and ENJOYS. addressed to the
Executive Il hope that humanity and
moderation might mark the course OF
this government and people and that fur
ther negotiations would lead 10 an agree
ment which, while securing tho mainte-
nance Of peace. would afford all necessary
guarantees FOR the rc-establishment of
order I'm Cuba. In responding 10 that
representation | said | shared the hope
the envOys had expressed thar peace
might be preserved In q manner 10 ter
inmate the chronic condition Of disturb
anCc in Cuba so Injurious and menacing
20 our interests and tranquility as wen
as revolving TO our sentiments OF hu-
manity and. while appreciating the hu-
mauitarian and distin'erested character
OF the communication they had made on
behalf OF the powers I stated the conf
dence OF this government for It's part.
that equal appreciation would be shown
FOR its own earnest and unseliish en-
deavors to fulhll duty to humanity
by ending a situation the indefinite pro-
longalOn of which had been insufferahle
sun animated by the hope OF a peace
ful solution, and obeying rie dictates OF
duty no effort was relaxed 20 bring
about speedy ending OF the Cuban
struggle. Negotiations TO this effect con-