Evening star., 1909-02-16
NOT CAUSEOF THE WAR
Admiral Sigsbee Tells of the
Maine Disaster.
HELD TO BE PIVOTAL EVENT
Washingtonians Pay Tribute to
Memory of Sailors.
FOR THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY
Gen. Burt Says Sinking Of Ship Led
to Great Good-Features
of Program.

That the blowing up of the battleship
Maine was not the cause of the war with
| Spain, but rather the pivotal event on
which other events that led up to the war
turned was the view taken last evening
by Admiral Charles D. Sigsbee. who COM
manded the Inflated vessel. Admiral
Sigsbee was the principal guest at the
Maine anniversary memorial celebration
in the First Presbyterian Church. John
Marshall place. under the auspices of the
Battleship Maine Memorial Association
and the Army and Navy Union. L. S. A.
The proceedings last evening brought
to a conclusion the days exercises. and
bore unimpeachable evidence of dis
position on the part of the American pub
lie not to forget the nations heroes.
Eleven years ago last evening the Maine
was blown up in Havana harbor Yes
terday thousands of Americans met in
various sections of Washington to pay
tribute to the memory of those whose
lives were lost when the battleship went
down.
Speeches, recitations, patriotic music
and a flag drill marked the proceedings
in First Presbyterian Church. The pre-
siding officer was Charles NJ Shinn, who
made all the introductions. The exercises
were opened by Master Henry Moulton
Goundie, who gave the admirals call on
drum about his own size. The invoca-
tlOn Was tifen pronounced Dy ftcN bOHdlu
Macleod. pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church. This was followed by an over
ture. Hail to the Chief, by the United
States Marine Band.
"Why We Observe Maine Day"
In the opening address Gen. A. S. Burt.
Us A. chose for his topic. why We
Observe Maine Day." He said that as sad
as the blowing up of the Maine was. 1t
had precipitated events which in the end
led to great good for the cause of hu-
manity. Sympathy for the victims Of the
disaster was keen at the time, and their
martyrdom would always be remembered
and appreciated by the American people.
Although they had gone to their death
in darkness and without any glamour. they
had unconsciously turned the tide in
| events which brought glory and honor to
their country.
Before introducing Admiral Sigsbee
I he presiding officer read letters of regret
from Speaker Cannon. Vice President
Fairbanks. Representative John Fitzger-
aid of New York and Senior Quesada. the
Cuban minister. In presenting Admiral
Sgsbee Mr.. Shinn referred to the COM
mander of the Maine as one who, in the
stress of a most trying time kept his
head and governed his actions by con-
servatism deserving the highest praise.
In his story of the disaster Admiral
Sigsbee reviewed the events which led up
to it. He told of the unsettled condition
in Cuba and of the request from Fitz-
hugh Lee. then consul general at Havana.
that a battleshp be held in readiness to
answer his call in case an outbreak
should occur and the protection of Ameri-
cans In Havana be necessary. Admiral
Sigsbee lay off Key West with the Maine
until that secret call came. when he went
to Havana. ostensibly on a friendly visit.
Tells Of Fateful Night.
In describing the scenes on board ship
the fateful night Admiral sigsbee said:
II was sitting in my cabin writing let
ters. The night was dark, ominous and
| sultry 1t was much like tonight. only
much more still. Not sound came from
the harbor but the gentle tapping of the
waves on the shores. l finished my last
letter and laid down my pen.
LAS l sat stretching myself there came
a vast roar. terrific sound. followed by
metallic reverberations made by the fall
ing of the guns and steel structures. l
man can ever describe the terrific noise
of the explosion. The ship listed and all
the lights went out.
Remembering that the ports on the
upper side were open. | started in that
direction Before reaching there my years
of training asserted themselves, and l
turned and CROPPED my way back through
the narrow passage. Near the door ran
INTO some one l asked VINO 1t was, and
my orderly answered, Anthony, sir. The
ship is blown up 'and is sinking There
were no dramatics. just plain statement
of fact.
Thrown Into Dense Darkness.
Il went on Deck and was blinded, hav-
ing been suddenly thrown into dense
darkness. Ahead loomed massive
| shape. and on the right and left Of me
were other forms Confronting ma were
| the tall smokestacks, and ahead a tower
| ing mass of Wreckage. the guns, con-
| ming tower, machinery and bits of super
| structure tangled and twisted into
| conglomerate mass. I stood there a few
| minutes and then climbed to the poop
| deck, where some of the men were gath
| cred.
| THE mass ahead began to blaze and
] | ordered Wainwright. the executive Of
| fcer to post sentries. for | heard cheers
/ frox,a the Land and thought the shin