The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-20
THE INVESTIGATION.
It VIII be Under the Immediate
Supervision OF CAPTAIN Sigsbee.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19.-Secretary
Long and Assistant Secretary Day of
the State Department had an interview
with the President this morning, last
ing nearly an hour. Mr.. Day read
cablegram from Consul General Lee at
Havana, transmitting a request from
the Spanish authorities in Cuba that
the Spanish officials be permitted 10
join with out people in making an in
vestigation into the cause of the disas-
ter to the Maine.
The matter was discussed at consider
able length and the conclusion was
reached that General Lee Will be mott
fled that while this Government is will
ing TO afford the Spanish authorities all
reasonable facilities for conducting an
investigation, yet it is thought best the
first inquiry shall be made by our own
commissioners The request of. the
Spanish authorities, therefore, will ba
respectfully declined.
The request of the Spanish Govern
ment for permission to examine the
wreck OF the Maine reached the State
Department last night through the fol-
lowing message from Consul General
Lee.
HAVANA, Feb. IS, 1S9S.-Assistant
Secretary Day, Washington Sigsbee
begins tomorrow with divers sent him
from the United States to recover all
bodies still left in wreck OF the Maine,
as well as personal effects of officers
and men and whatever else can be OBJ
tanned that way. After that, is accom-
plished the Spanish Government would
in 10
bottom of the ship and harbor in the
vicinity Jointly examined. LEE
The following is the answer sent:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. 1S9S-Laa.
Consul General. Havana: The Govern
ment of the United States has already
begun an investigation of the causes
of the disaster to the Maine, through
officers of the navy specially appointed
for that purpose which will proceed in
dependently. This Government will af-
ford every facility it can to the Span
ish authorities in whatever investiga-
ton they may see fit to make upon
their part. DAY,
Assistant Secretary"
The apparent difficulty attending the
sending down of the Divers to the Maine
was relieved. if not entirely removed,
by statement to-day by Senior Du
Bosie, Charge d'Affaires of the Span
ish Legation. that q complete and har-
monious understanding between Cap
tain Sigsbee and the authorities at Ha-
vana had been reached on the matter
OF divers. and that the Spanish author
titles viewed the Maine as extra terri
torial, that is, part of sovereign ter
ritory of the United States, the same
as United States Legation situated
in foreign territory. With the Maine
holding its status as extra territorial.
all doubts as TO the work on the wreck
We're removed The waters of Havana
harbor are, of course Spanish terri
tory. and some confusion had been
aroused by the idea that this juristlic-
ton over the waters attached also to
the wreck in its present helpless contii-
ton at the bottom of the bay. 1t ap-
pears. however. that there is no dispo-
sition to extend this jurisdiction to the
ship. and that the Spanish authorities
give free consent to the Names be-
ing regarded as extra territorial. and
under the immediate direction of Can
tain Sigsbee. as the representative #
the United States. According TO the
view taken by the Spanish authorities.
there can be no trouble attending the
Continued on Fifth Page.)