The Washington herald., 1908-02-15

Patriotic societies, particularly Of vet
erans OF the Spanish war. will observe
to-day the anniversary Of the destruction
OF the United States battle ship Maine.
Under the joint auspices of the Army
and Navy Union. Grand Army Of the Re-
public. Spanish War Veterans. and
Womans Relief Corps, the event will be
observed at the Metropolitan Methodist
Episcopal Church this evening at 730
O'Clock. with an excellent musical pro-
gramme.
The most prominent speaker Of the oc-
casion will be Rear Admiral Sigsbee, in
command Of the Maine at the time she
was blown up. who had a miraculous es-
cape from death. other speakers are
Representative Langley. Of Kentucky;
Judge De Lacy. of the Juvenile Court;
Col John McElroy, Of the G. A. r., and
Chaplain c. c. Pierce. L. S. A.
President Is Invited.
President and Mrs. Roosevelt, members
of the Cabinet, and many Senators and
Representatives have been invited. Music
win be furnished by the Engineer Band.
A delegation appointed at meeting Of
the Barry Garrison, Army and Navy
Union. yesterday called upon Secretary of
the Navy Metcalf, and asked that the
flags on the departments and all the navy
yards be displayed at half-mast after 3
o'clock this afternoon. Resolutions were
also adopted requesting the city's busi-
ness houses TO fly flags at half-mast after
p o'clock this noon.
Simple services will be held in the
Maine section Of Arlington Cemetery at
o'clock this afternoon There the 2G9
victims of the disaster We're laid TO rest
by the Womans Relief Corps and a dele
cation from the Army and Navy Union.
what Happened Ten Years Ago.
The war between the United States and
Spain dates hack to February Is. 1855.
when the Maine was destroyed in the
harbor OF Havana Friction had been
growing between the two countries owing
&c Spanish oppression in Cuba. The dis
aster to one Of the finest vessels in the
American navy so aroused public sent-
ment in this country that war became
inevitable.
On January q. 1895. the Maine steamed
into the harbor Of Havana on a friendly
visit and was assigned TO place OF
anchorage by the Spanish authorities at
point near Fort Attares Her officers
made the customary formal calls on the
Spanish officials. who IN turn were re-
ceived with the prescribed honOrs aboard
ship.
On February Il, Capt. sigsbee, Of the
Maine and Consul General Fitzhugh
Lee called officially on Gen Blanco, who
was absent when the Maine arrived. The
next day visit Of courtesy was paid TO
President Galvez. Of the new Cuban cab
met, who soon returned II. All these
courtesies were marked by warm cordial
ity.
Remember the Maine"
AZ about 10 o'clock on the night OF
February Is the Maine was blown up.
and two officers and 2s4 OF the crew were
killed. The explosion was so terrific that
the city was shaken. lights we're extin-
guished. and presently the harbor was
illuminated by the burning ship
Boats put out from a Spanish war ship
and other vessels near at hand Every
possible effort was made TO save the crew.
Capt. Sigsbee knew rumors had been
rife TO the effect that his ship would be
destroyed. and also knew Of the bitter
feeling Of the Spanish toward Americans.
He telegraphed that the people Of the
United States. however. should suspend
judgment until a prefer investigation had
revealed the cause of the disaster
While it seemed incredible that visit
ing war ship could be destroyed in time OF
peace by cOnnivance Of the Spanish au-
thorities, it seemed impossible that It
could have been destroyed in any other
way.
A committee Of investigation was ap-
pointed by President Mckinley. Divers
Immediately began work on the wreck.
On March 2 Lieut. Mark. Of the New
York, started for Washington, with the
investigating committees report, which
was made public three days later.
Finding of COMMITTEES.
Among the conclusions of the court Of
inquiry were the following:
THAT the ship was destroyed by the
explosion Of a submarine mine. which
caused the partial explosion OF two or
more OF her forward magazines: and that
no evidence has been obtainable fixing
the responsibility for the destruction Of
the Maine upon any person or persons"
In the meantime both the United States
and Spain had been making preparations
for war Excitement in this country daily
became more intense.
In a message TO Congress. President
Mckinley stated the entire issue between
the two nations. considering the Maine
disaster a subordinate matter. the princi-
pal grievance being the intolerable condi-
tions in Cuba. The Spanish government
rejecting propositions from this country.
President Mckinley was authorized to in
tervene and stop hostilities In Cuba April
1 the war between the United States and
Spain began.