The Meeker herald., 1898-04-02

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 consular
representative pointed out the advan-
tages to follow visits Of national ships
to the Cuban waters. in accustOming
the people to the presence of our flag
rs the symbol of good will md of our
ships in the fultillmcnt of the mission
of protection to American interests,
even though no Immediate need there
for might exist.
Accordingly, on the 2Jth of Jann-
airy last. after Il conference with the
Spanish minister, in which the renewal
of visits of our war vessels to Spanish
waters was discussed and accepted,
the peninsulnr authorities ut Madrid
and Havana We're advised of the pur-
pose of this government TO resume
friendly naval visits at Cuban ports.
and filat i'll that view the Main, would
forthwith cali mt the port of Havana.
This announcement was received by
alton of the friendly character of the
visit of the Maine and with notificn-
tion Of intention to return the conr-
tesy 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 arrival being marked with no
special incident besides he exchange
of customary salutes aud ceremonial
visits
The Maine continued In the harbor
of Havana during the three weeks fol-
lowing her arrival. No apprcciable
excitement attended her stay; on the
contrary. n feeling of relief and conf
dence followed the resumption of the
long interrupted friendly intercourse
SO noticeable was the immediate ef-
feet OF her visit that the consul gen.
erai strongly urged that the presence
of our ships in Cuban waters should
he kept up by retaining the Maine mt
Havana. or in the event of her recall,
by sending another vessel there to take
her place.
At forty minutes past . In the even
ing OF the 18th OF February. the Maine
was Destroyed by an explosion, by
which the cntire forward part of the
ship was utterly wrecked. In this ca
tastrophe two officers and 26O Of her
crew pertshed. those who were not
killed outright by her explosion being
INx.tv. =,
OF wrcckage and drowned by the i'm
mediate shaking of the hull. Prompt
assistance was rendered by the neigh
boring vessels anchored in the harlor.
AID being especially given by the boats
OF the Spanish cruiser Alphonso Mi.
and the Ward line steamer CITY of
Washington, which lay not far Distant.
The wounded Were generously cared
for by the authorities of Hayann. the
hospitals being freely opened TO them,
whiie the earliest recovered bodies of
the dead Were inferred hy the mupi-
cipality In the public cemetery in the
city. Tributes of grief and sympathy
were offered from all official uuarters
Of the island.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people OF our country with crushing
force aud for Il brief time an intense
excitement prevailed. whicl, in COM
muntty less just and self-controIled
than ours must have led to hasty acts
OF blind resentment. This spirit, how
ever. soon gave way TO the cnlmer pro-
cesseS Of reason and to the resolve to
investigate the facss and await the
material proof before forming a judg-
inent as to the cause. the responsibility
and. IL the facts warranted, the rene.
dy due. This course necessarily rec.
commended itself from the outset to the
executive. for only in the light of n
dtspassionntely ascertained certainty
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 national vessels of any maritime
state. A naval court of inquiry was
at once organized, composed of officers
well qualified BY rank and practical
experience to discharge the onerous
duty imposed upon them. Aided by
a strong force Of wreckers and divers.
the court proceeded to make a thor
ough investigation on the spot, en-
pl0ying every available means for the
impartial and exact determination of
the causes OF the explosion. Its opera
tl0ns have been conducted with the
utmost deliberutIon and Judgment. and
while Independently pursued. no
source Of Information was neglected
nnd the fullest opportunity was al
lowed for Simultaneous Investigation
by the Spanish authorities.
The finding Of the court Of inquiry
was reached nfter twenty-three days
Of continuous labor. ON the o1st Of
March lnsfnut md 1ayiusx lA,aii IN.