Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-03-31
THE REPORT.

Maine on the occasion named was not
in any respect due to fault or negli-
gence on the part of the officers or
men of the crew of said vessel. In
the opinion of the court the Maine was
destroyed by the explosion of sub
marine mine, which cause the par-
tial explosion of two of her forward
magazines. The court has been I'M
able to obtain evidence fixing the re-
sponsibility for the destruction of the
Maine upon any person or persons.
The above are the salient points IN
the official report of the court of in
quiry that investigated the Maine dis
aster. The report and the evidence
in the case were delivered to the Pres
ident last Friday. On Monday he
sent the documents to Congress, to-
gether with his message upon the same
subject. The report Of the court gives
the facts of the explosion as detailed
by Captain Sigsbee and the other off,
GERS and men of the Inflated ship, and
other persons who had knowledge of
the affair The evidence shows that
the ship was carefully and properly
managed down to every detail, discip-
line was excellent, and so far as human
foresight could prevent there was no
reason why the explosion should have
taken place.
The examination of the wreck salts
fed the court that the ship had been
blown up by a submarine mine. The
officials find that the plates and frames
of the vessel were blown from the bot
tom upward, and their belief is, after
the most careful examination and con-
sideration, that the explosion came
from a mine of some powerful explo-
sive laced under the forward part of
the vessel. The court had no evidence
as to who placed the mine, nor does
it venture any opinion on this point.
Accompanying the report when it
was laid before Congress was mes
sage from the President The message
simply recited the facts Of the calami-
ty, referred to the report Of the COM
mission, and expressed no opinion of
the President. The message closed
with these words: II have directed
that the finding of the court Of in
quiry and the views Of this govern
ment thereon be communicated to the
government Of her majesty, the Queen
Regent, and l do not permit myself
to doubt that the sense of justice Of the
Spanish nation will dictate a course
of action suggested by honor and the
friendly relations of the two govern
ments. 1t will be the duty of the Ex-
ecutive to advise Congress of the re-
suit, and in the meantime deliberate
consideration is invoked
The deliberate consideration that
the President invoked does not seem
to prevail among the members Of Con-
gress, many of whom are displeased
because Mr.. Mckinley did not take
decided ground and advocate some
action against Spain. Yesterday four
resolutions We're introduced in the
Senate looking toward the independ-
ence Of Cuba, and one in the House
declaring war against Spain Many
members Of both Houses are impatient
at the delay and the extreme caution
exercised by the President, and it is
doubtful if his wishes for inaction by
Congress will be needed much longer
The press dispatches this morning
say that President Mckinley has sue
ceeded in having the leaders of the Re-
publican party delay action by Con-
gress until Monday next. Negotia-
tons for the settlement of the Cuban
question are now pending between our
government and Spain, and definite
decision is expected this week. 1t is
believed that a peaceful solution of
the Cuban difficulty will be arrived
at.