The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1898-03-31
Captain Sigsbee and the Vessels
Crew Are Completely
ExOnerated.
THE PLATES BENT UPWARDS
Presidents Message to Congress
Does Not Mention Posi-
bility of War.
Transmits the Report to Congress
with No Startling Statement as to
His Intention-Asks for De-
liberate Consideration.

Washington, March 2s-The president
Monday sent the following message 4
congress:
To the Congress Of the United States:
For some time prior to the visit OF the
Maine In Havana harbor our consular rep.
resentatiyes pointed out the advantages tC
now 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 our ships in the fulfllment
of the mission OF protection to American In
terests. even though no immediate need
therefor might exist.
Accordingly, 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
and accepted. the penfnsular 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.
The Maine at 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 sending Span
ish ships to the principal ports or the
United States. Meanwhile the Maine en-
tered 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 follow
ing her arrival. No apprecfable excite
ment attended her stay: on the contrary,
a feeling OF relief and confidence followed
the resumption OF the long interrupted
friendly Intercourse. 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 Maine
at Havana. or in the event OF her recall
by sending there vessel to take her place. |
The Fatal Evening.
At 40 minutes past nine on the evening |
OF the 18th Of February the Maine was |
destroyed by an explosion. by which the |
entire forward part OF the ship was ut |
terly wrecked. In this catastrophe two |
officers and go OF her crew persisted, those |
who were not killed outright by her ex-
piosion being penned between decks by
the tangie OF wreckage and drowned by |
the Immediate sinking of the hull. Prompt |
assistance was rendered by the neighbor-
Ing vessels anchored in the harbor, said
being especially given by the boats OF
the spanish cruiser Alphonso XII. and the
Ward ffne 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 dn a public cemetery In
the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy
were offered from all official quarters OF
the island. |
Caused Intense Excitement
The appalling calamity fell upon the peo-
pie OF our country with crushing force and
For a brief time an intense excitement pre-
vailed. which in a community less Just and
than ours might have led to
hasty acts OF blind resentment. This spir-
{. however. soon gave way to the calmer
processes OF reason and to the resolve to in
a fOa IA hn fon
proof before forming a Judgment as to the
cause, the responsibility and. IL the facts
the remedy due. This course
recommended itself from the
outset to the executive. for only in the light
II dtspassionately ascertained certainty
onld 1t determine the nature and measure
II Its full duty In the matter.
The usual procedure was followed, as in
II cases OF casualty or disaster to national
essels or any maritime state. naval
ourt or inquiry was at once organized,
omposed OF officers well qualified by rank
nd practical experience to discharge the
nerous duty imposed upon them
Aided by 3 strong force OF wreckers and
iverS the court proceeded to make a thor
ugh investigation on the spot, employing
very available means for the impartial
nd exact determination OF the causes OF
he explosion. Its operations have been
onducted with the utmost elaboration and
and while Independently pur-
ned no source of Information was neglect
ana the fullest opportunity was allowed
Or simultaneous Investigation by the
parish authorities.
The Finding of the Court.
The finding OF the court OF inquiry was
cached. after % days of continuous labor
D the 21st OF March inst, and having |
sen approved on the I'D by the COM
lander In chief of the United States naval
rec OF the North Atlantic station. was
ansmtted to the executive
IL Is herewith laid before congress. to-
.tner with the voluminous testimony
ken before the court. Its purport Is. in
lief. as follows:
When the Maine arrived at Havana she
As conducted by the regular government
lot to buoy No. T. to which she vas
oored IN from SIS to fathoms of water,
ne state or discipline on board and the
i9iiion or her magazines, boilers coal
mixers ana storage compartments ara =
sssu IN review, with the conclusion that
ceaeht order prevailed and that no IN
.auon OF any cause for an internal explo-
"a existed In any quarter
AZ eight O'Clock in the evening NJ Fab | 81
airy 10. everything had been reported Sc
re ana all was quiet.
u 10 minutes past nine O'Clock the vesse,
- suddenly destroyed
Two Explosions.
mere were two distinct explosions x,,,n | 20
orlef interval between them. THE fsrst I
- sns forward part OF the ship very Rs
rSeptiDlys the second which was v,ora 1S9
aaonsed. is attributed by the court r., sba or
rtiai explosion Of two-or more az fha Ca I'm
rd magazines.