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ESTABLISHED 1884.
N'KWY'S MESSAGE
ON THS CIjIJHT S REPORT
Will Transmit Io Spain lhe Finding, and Thinks That the
Reply Will be Based on Justice
and Friendship.
BE DELIBERATE
Is the Requst of the Execu
tive to the Members of
Congress.
WITHOUT ANV RECOMMATION
The Report Is Submitted to Con
gress For Its Action—No Doubt
as to Outside Explosion.
Washington, March 28—The president
today sen-t the following message to Con
gress:
To the Uongrtxs of the United States:
For sum* time prior to the visit of the
Maine to Havana harbor our consular rep
resentatives poind, d out the advantages to
flow from a visit of national ships to Ca
ban watirs, in accustoming the people to
the pn s. nee of our Hag as a symbol of
good will and of our ships in fulfilment of
the mission of protection to American in-
even thought no immediate need
therefor might exist.
'.rcordingly tL , 24fb of January last
at a conference with the Spanish minister
in which the renewal of the visits of our
war vessels to Spanish waters was dis
cuss, d and accepted the Peninsular au
thorities at Madrid and Havana were ad
vised of the purpose of this government to
resume friendly naval visits at the Cuban
ports and that in that view the Maine
would forthwith call at the port of Ha
vana.
Received in <■< «»<! Faith.
The announcement was received by the
Spanish government with an appreciation
of the friedly charactre of the visit of the
Maim and with the notification of an in
tention Jo • turn the courtesy by sending
Spanish slitps to the principal ports of the
United States.
Meanwhile the Maine entered 'the ]>ort
of Havana on the 23th of January, her ar
rival htipg n i.rkid with no special inci
dent tu .- m - .11- exchange of the custom
ary salt:;-> ’.nd ceremonial visits.
’llit Maine continued in 'the harbor of
Hav na dnrir.g the three weeks following
her arrival.
No viable excitement attended her
stay. On tbe contrary, a feeling of relief
and eonf’d. ace followed the resumption of
the kui'g interrupt- i friendly intercourse.
So noticeable was this that the consul
general strongly urged tbat the presence
of our ships in Cuban waters be kept up.
l'he Fifteenth.
At forty minutes past 9 o’clock on the
evening of the 15th February the Maine
was d. stroyed by an explosion, by which
the entire forward part of the ship was
wreckt d.
In .he catastrophe two of the officers
and two hundred and sixty-four of her
crew perished. Those who were not killed
outright by the explosion being penned be
tween the decks by the tangle of wreckage
and drowned by the sinking of the hull.
Prompt assistance rendered by the
neighboring vessels, aid being especially
given by the boats of the Spanish cruiser
Alphor.su and the Ward line steamer City
of Washington, which lay not far distant.
The wounded were generously cared for
by the authorities at the Havana hospi
tals, being freely opened to them. Trib
utes of grief and sympathy were offered
from all official quarters on the island.
Effect On the Country.
The appalling calamity fell upon the
people with crushing force and for a brief
time intense excitement prevailed which
in a community less just and self con
trolled than ours might have led to hasty
acts of blind resentment.
This spirit, however, soon gave way to
calmer processes of reason and to a re
solve to investigate the facts and await
material proof before forming any judg
ment as to the cause, the responsibility
and, if the facts warranted, the remedy
due.
This course necessarily recommended it
self from the outset to the executive, for
only in light of a dispassionately ascer
tained verdict could it determine the na
ture and the measure of his full duty in
the matter.
The usual process was followed as in all
cases of casualty or disaster to national
vessels in any marine state.
Work of the Court
A naval court of inquiry at once organ
ized 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
thorough investigation on the spot em
ploying every available means for an im
partial and exact determination of the ex
plosions.
It’s operations have been conducted with
the utmost deliberation and judgment and,
■while independently pursued, no source of
THE MACON NEWS.
Information was neglected and the fullest
opportunity was allowed for a simultan
eous investigation by the Spanish author
ities.
The findings of the court of inquiry were
reached, after twenty-three days of con
tinuous labor on the 21st of March instant
and having been approved on the 22d by
the commander in chief of the United
States naval force at the North Atlantic
squadron, was transmitted to the execu
tive.
Purport of the Court.
It herewith laid before Congress togeth
er with the voluminous testimony taken
before the court.
The purport of the report is in brief as
follows:
“When the Maine arrived in Havana
she was conducted by the regular govern
ment pilot to buoy No. 4 to which she was
moored in from five and one half to six
fathoms of water.
“The sta'te of discipline on board and the
I condition of her magazines, boilers, coal
i bunkers and storage compartments were
I passed in review, with the conclusion that
| excellent order prevailed and no indica
! tion of any cause for an internal expio-
I sion existed in any quarter.
“At 8 o’clock on 'the evening of Febru
ary 15th everything had been reported se
cure and all was quiet.
“At forty minutes past 9 o’clock the
vessel was suddenly destroyed. There
were two distinct explosions, with a brief
interval between them. The first lifted
i the forward part of the ship perceptibly;
j the second, which was more open, prolong-
I ed and of greater volume, was attributed
i by the court to the partial explosion of
two or more of the forward magazinese.
The evidence of the divers established;-
| the fact that the after part of the ship
■ was practically intact and sank in that
I condition a very few minutes after the
I explosion in the forward part of the ves-
I sei.
Evidence of Divers
“The evidence of the finding of the court
is as follows:
“At frame 17 in the outer shell of the
ship, 'from a point eleven and a half feet
i from the middle line of the ship, and six
I feet above the keel when in normal condi
i tion, had been forced up so as to be now
I four feet above .the surface of the water;
j therefore, about thirty-four 'feet above
I where it would be had the ship sunk unin-
I jured. The outside bottom plating is bent
, into a reversed V shape. The after wing,
I which is about fifteen feet broad and thir
j ty-'two feet in length, ('from frame 17 to
i 25,,) is doubled back upon itself against
I a continuation of the same plating ex
. tending forward. At frame 18 the verti
cal keel is broken in two and the flat keel
I is bent into an angle similar to angle
’ formed by the outside bottom plates.
“The break now is about six feet below
j the surface of the water and about thirty
feet above the normal position.
Finding in Detail.
“In the opinion of the court, this effect
I could have been produced only by an ex
i plosion of a mine situated under the bot
tom of the ship at about frame 18 and
j somewhat on the port side of the ship.
The conclusion of the court are:
The loss of the Maine was not due in.
any respect to the negligence on the part
of any of the officers or members of her
crew.
“That the ship was destroyed by the ex-
I plosion of two or more of her forward
magazines and. that no evidence has been
obtained showing the responsibility of the
destruction of the Maine is upon any per
son or persons.
Will Send to Spain.
T have directed that the finding of 'the
I court of inquiry and the views of this
. government thereon be communicated to
: the government of her majesty the Queen
I and 1 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 governments.
“It will be the duty of the executive to
advise congress of the result and in the
meantime deliberate consideration is in
voked. (Signe-d)
“William McKinley.
“Executive Mansion. March 28.’’
SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
Most Remarkable That Has Been Known
in a Quarter of a Century.
M ashington. March 2S.—Except on the
occasion of the-inauguration of a presi-
I dent, no such crowds as surged through
the corridors and stormed the galleries
for admission have been seen at the capi
tal in a quarter of a centurv.
Fifteen minutes before the house con
vened the floor was cleared. The diplo
matic and executive galleries were shortly
afterward opened, and before the gavel
fell at noon not a seat was vacant.
At noon the speaker ascended the ros
trum and called the house to order. Amid
an impressive silence the blind chaplain
delivered a solemn prayer.
Secretary Pruden soon appeared with the
message, and amid an impressive silence
it was heard. The reading was followed
by hearty applause. Without debate the
message was referred to the committee on
foreign affairs.
The death of Representative Simpkins
was announced, and the house adjourned
All the ladies should see the hats at
Miss Green’s Wednesday and Thursday.
MACON NEWS MONDAY MARCH 28 1808.
SPAIN IS READY
10 00 ANYTH ING
To Avoid War—Note Was Sent
This Morning Through
Minister Woodford.
ML! CABINET MEETING
At Which His Dispatches Were Con
sidered-Nothing is Given Out,
However, on This Subject.
Washington, March 28. —A special cab
inet meeting, called at 10:30 o’clock this
morning, was devoted to the reading of the
president’s message sent to congress at
noon. Several minor changes were made
in the wording of the message, and after
it had been dispatched to the capitol some
time was spent in the consideration of the
late messages from Woodford.
Although the details of these dispatches
were not made public, it is known they
are reassuring in character, and give ba
sis for the belief that the present strained
relations may yet be satisfactorily re
lieved.
Although reticent as to the details, a
member of the cabinet said today that the
conditions are much more hopeful than
they were three days ago. It is undoubted
ly true that Spain is willing to make im
portant concessions to the United States,
and is willing to go even so far as to agree
to withdraw her troops from Cuba on con
ditions which, if not satisfactory to this
government, are more libcial and concil
iatory than anything hitherto received,
and clearly indicate their purpose to avoid
a war, even if to attain the end she is
compelled to make sacrifices never before
considered.
Notwithstanding these hopeful signs the
negotiations have not passed the danger
line, nor is it believed this government
will accept any compromise that does not
involve the prompt cessation of hostilities,
even if the question of the future govern
ment of Culba is left to further negotia
tions.
NOTE WAS SENT
Through Minister Woodford This Morning
to Soanish Government.
Washington, March 28. —The United
'States has presented through Minister
Woodford at Madrid a carefully prepared
note dealing with the distressing condition
of affaiis in Cuba, and making it clear that
this government cannot much longer with
hold such definite action as will bring the
present struggle and the suffering it is oc
casionin to a close. The Spanish answer
has been made, and is probably in the
hands of the authorities here, but the con
tents are not known.
SAGASTA DENIES IT.
Madrid, March 28 —Premier Saga-'a de
clares tha the Spanish government has not
sent a note to the government of the
United States on the subject of the relief
of the Cubans.
SCHLEY TOOK COMMAND
Os the Flying Squadron Amid Great
Cheering.
Fort Monroe, Va., March 28.—Commo
dore Schley took command of the flying
squadron this morning amid great cheers.
THE INSURGENT’S FLEET.
Will Be Commanded By Horace Elmers
from Cramp's Yard.
Washington, March 28 —Commander
Horace Elmers has been detached from
Cramp’s navy yard and ordered to com
mand “The Mosquito Fleet” to be formed
of all the small craft that can carry guns.
The Cincinnati and Castino have arrived
at Key West.
GUNS FOR SAVANNAH.
Orders Have Been Issued for Two Rapid
Fires.
Washington, March 28 —Senator Bacon
has received from Chief of Enginners Wil
son, of the army department, a letter con
taining assurances that four rapid-fire
guns will be sent to Savannah as soon as
they arrive from England. Two of these
are to be erected on Tybee Island and two
are to be placed at some location yet to
be determined upon for defense of the Wil
mington and Warsaw rivers.
General ilson informs Senator Bacon
that a small strip of land must be secured
upon which to erect a rapid-fire battery
on Wilmington river. Senator Bacon al
ready has in his possession a letter from
a real estate firm in Savannah offering
Beach Hammock, for this purpose. This
will be laid before the war department to
morrow.
The chief of engineers says in his letter
to senator Bacon that for the lack of guns
the secretary of war will not be able to do
anything for Brunswick harbor, but the
senators and Congressman Brantley hope
yet to overcome this obstacle in some way
and secure guns for Brunswick. It was
only after hard work that the four guns
were secured for Savannah, as they had
all been allotted to other places.
Thomas J. Pirkle, one of the most prom
inent business men of Cumming, is here
on his way home from New York.
SPOT COTTON.
New York, March 28 —Spot cotton open
ed quiet. Middling uplands 61-16. Middling
gulf 5-16.
LIBERAL GUT
FROM SOUTHERN
Gives One Thousand Dollars
to the Y. M. C. A. Build
ing Fund.
WILE SWELL THE FUND
To Gratifying Proporfons—Secre
tary Stacy Received Letter
This Morning.
Secretary C. I. Stacy, of the Young Men’s
Christian Association, received a letter
from President Samuel Spencer, of the
Southern railway, saying that he would
give one thousand dollars to the Y. M. C.
A. building fund.
This is the most liberal donation that
hajs yet been made to the fund, and the di
rectors appreciate it deeply, especially as
it comes from a source where there can
be but little personal benefit.
Seme time ago the directors of the asso
ciation wrote to the management of all
the roads running into Macon, and asked
them if they would not contribute to the
building fund. The Georgia Southern and
Florida was the 'first to respond, the road
giving SSOO. Up to the time the Southern
railway's contribution had been received
none of the other roads had been heard
from.
The liberality cf the road swells the
fund to about half the amount that is need
ed, and .the directors feel that it will not
be a hard matter to raise the balance of
the money that is needed for the building.
A WORD OF ADVICE
To Those Coming to Alaska or the Klondike
Goid Fields.
One thing should be impressed upon
every miner, prospector or trader coming
to Alaska, to the Klondike, or the Yukon
country, and that is the necessity for pro
viding an adequate and proper food sup
ply. Whether procured in the states, in
the Dominion, or an the supply stores- here
or further on, this must be his primary
concern. Upon the manner in which the
miner has observed or neglected this pre
caution more than upon any other one
thing will his success or failure depend.
These supplies must be healthful and
should be concentrated, but the most care
ful attention in the selection of foods that
will keep unimpaired indefinitely under
all the conditions which they will have to
encounter is imperative. For instance, as
bread raised with baking poder must be
relied upon for the chief part of every
meal, imagine the helplessness of a miner
with a can of spoiled baking powder. Buy
only the very best flour; it is the cheapest
in the end. Experience has shown the
Royal Baking Powder to be the most re
liable and the trading companies now uni
formly supply this brand, as others will
not keep in this climate. Be sure that the
bacon is sweet, sound and thoroughly
cured. These are the absolute necessities
upon which all must place a chief reli
ance, and can under no circumstances be
neglected. They may. of course, be sup
plemented by as many comforts --- deli
cacies as the prospector may be able to
pack or desire to pay for.—From the
Alaska Mining Journal.
BIG MAJORITY
Given to Sagasta at the Election for the
Cortez.
Madrid. March 28 —The election’s for the
popular branch of the cortes have passed
off, on the whole quietly.
The indications art that the government
of Senor Sagasta will have an enormous
majority, estimated at 300 of the 432 seats
in the congress.
Disorders are apprehended at Bilboa,
where the polling caused great excitement.
The military judge of Bilboa issued a
warrant for the arrest of three socialist
municipal councilors. One of them was
taken into custody, but the other two es
caped.
The elections in the capital were without
especial incident.
The elected deputies include five liberals,
one independent and two conservatives.
Despite great precautions at Biboa there
was much disorder. A body of 100 miners
tried to commit acts of violence. It is re
ported that a socilaist has beaten a con
servative candidate there.
All the O'ther provinces are reported
calm.
Mr. Patenotre. the French ambassador,
had a conference with Senor Gullon, the
foreign minister, today, to which much
importance is attached.
FOR ATTEMPT TO MURDER.
Alonzo Johnson Was Bound Over This Morn
ing.
Alonzo Johnson was arraigned before
Recorder Freeman this morning for re
sisting Officers Bryan and Calloway,
who attempted to arrest him for an as
sault.
Saturday night Johnson became involved
in a difficulty with a negro hackman at
Henry Hammond’s place on Fourth street,
and it is charged that he drew a dirk, and
attempted to stab his antagonist. He was
arrested and resisted the officers. The re
corder fined him $25 for resisting officers,
and bound him over to the superior court
for assault with in tent to murder.
Ladies, don’t forget to attend the mil
linery opening of Burke & Campbell,
Agents, next Tuesday and Wednesday.
FULL REPORT OF COURT
SMT J TOJONGRESS
Responsibility is Laid on Ho One in Particular But the Of
ficers and Men cl the Warship Maine Are
Released From Sil Blame,
SPAIN PROTESTED,
A Cypher Message Was Sent By Consul
General Lee at Spain's Request-
ashiagton March 28. —The testimony
taken by the court of inquiry was also sub
mitted with the findings.
It makes one hundred thousand words,
and the immense document will be printed
for the benefit of the members of congress.
Among the great mass, the testimony of
Consul General Lee is interesting. He ap
peared before the court on March 8. His
testimony related to the official formalities
heralding the Maine’s arrival.
On January 24th he received a message
from the state department stating that he
had been sent to Havana on a friendly vis
it to resume the regular status of naval
relations between the two countries, and
was ordered to make arrangements for the
interchange cf official courtesies.
After a call at. the palace, he sent the
state department a cipher message saying:
“The authorities seem to think the
United -States has an ultericr purpose in
sending the ship. They say it will obstruct
autonomy, and produce excitement, and
most probably a demonstration. They
ask that it be not dene till they can get
instructions from Madrid. They say that
if it is for friendly purposes as claimed
the delay is unimportant.”
It was too late, nc-wever. The Maine
had already sailed. She arrived th° next
day, and Lee reported her arrival to the
slate department.
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright tes
tified that the regulations with regard to
paints and inflammables, and all other
precautions, were. strictly carried out on
board the ship. Every possible care was
taken to avoid an accident. All visitors
were scrutinized before being allowed to
come on board the ship. Nobody was al
lowed unaccompanied.
Special “lookouts” were required at
night. No unauthorized boats were al
lo'Atd to approach tine ship.
He was in the captain’s office at the
time of the explosion.
He examined the wreek at daylight on
the following morning. He took bis gig
with Lieut. Hood and a few men, and at
tempted to board the wreck. He was
warned off by an armed boat’s crew of
Spaniards, and then pulled around the
wreck.
TWO INQUESTS.
Accidental Killing and a Sudden Death
On Sunday Morning.
The coroner held two inquests yesterday.
Saturday night brought out a barroom
killing and yesterday morning a negro
died on the doorstep of the residence of
Dr. James T. Ross.
The first case arose out of a fuss in what
is known as the Big Bonanza Saloon on
Poplar street. The place is a somewhat
favorite resort of the negroes, and is es
pecially crowded with them on Saturday
nights.
About 9 o’clock on Saturday night Na
than Andeison and Jim Bolden went up to
the bar and Bart Henley, the barkeeper,
a white man, says that Anderson ordered
a drink for Bolden. This is denied by
Anderson, who says that he did not order
the drink and tbat Bolden was not invited
by him. At any rate Bolden did take a
drink of whisky, ana when Anderson of
fered a two dollar bill and asked for the
change, Henley gave it to him less the
fifteen cents for the drink which Bolden
took. Anderson wanted the full change
and Anderson and the bartender quarrel
ed. Henley grabbed a pistol from behind
the counter an 1 struck Anderson over the
head with the gun. One of the chambers
cf the fit.ol went off aal the ball struck
Charley Carr, another nog/o standing close
by. It was a fatal wound and Carr died
at the hospital yesterday morning. The
coroner c jury found aver tic; in which
they stated that the killing was an un
avoii'ide accio'nt. Ht.nle. and Anderton
were
Shoffiy aPei 2 o’clo?: yest'rlaz morn
ing Tom lose' ?. negro d r jyuai 'or R
C. Wilder’s Sons, died at the residence of
Dr. Ross on College street. The man came
to the house and aroused the doctor from
his bed. He said that he was suffering
from a pain in the heart, and the doc
tor seeing that the man was suffering,
went to his laboratory to get some medi
cine. When he returned the unfortunate
man was lying on the step and was
breathing his last. An ambulance was
called and the body was removed to the
city ball. The coroner’s jury yesterday
found by its verdict that the man came to
his death from causes unknown to the
jury.
There is little doubt, however, that the
man died from heart disease.
At the recorder’s court this morning
Hendley was bound over in the sum of S3OO
for involuntary manslaughter, to appear at
the superior court. Nash Anderson was
released.
IN THE SENATE.
Message and Report Read Amid Silence and
Promptly Referred.
Washington, March 28 —The Senate was
crowded todaj' when it was called to order.
In the diplomatic gallery were Abner Mc-
Kinley and Mrs. Sigsbee. The president’s
message and report of the court of inquiry
were read amid impressive silence and re
ferred to the committee on foreign rela- ,
tions.
PRICE TWO Ct*TS
SUBMARINE MINE
Bent the Bottom Plates of the
Vessel Into a “V ”
Shape.
M PLACED 111 POSITION
I By the Regular Pilot of the Spanish
Government-No Possibility of an
Explosion From the Inside.
Washington, March 28.—Following is the
report of the court of inquiry:
I United States lowa, Key West, .March
21- After a full and mature consideration
, with all the tesitmony before it, the court
finds as follows:
That the battleship Maine arrived in the
■ /harbor of Havana on the 25th of Jau
l uary and was taken to bouy No. 4. of
| five and a halrf to six fathoms of water by
| the regular government pilot.
The consul general at Havana had noti-
■ fled the authorities the previous evening
of the intended arrival of the Maine.
| The state of discipline on board the
Maine was excellent and all orders and
regulations with regard to the care of the
' ship were strictly carried out.
-Ammunition Carefully Stowed.
All .ammunition was stored in accord
i ance with the prescribed instructions and
proper care was taken where the ammuni-
■ tion iwas handled. Nothing was stored in
' any one of the magazinese or shell rooms
; which was not permitted to be stowed
| there. The magazines and shell rooms are
( always locked after they have been en
! tered, and after the destruction the keys
| were found in their proper places.
The temperature of the shell rooms and
. magazines were taken daily and reported.
I Tne only magazine which had any undue
j amount of heat, was the after ten inch
magazine, and that did not explode at the
time the Maine was destroyed.
The torpedo war heads were all stowed
in the after part of the ship under the
ward room, and neither caused nor pre
( cipi-tated the destruction.
The dry gun cotton primers and deto
j naters were stewed in a cabin aft, remote
I from the explosion.
The waste was carefully looked after
i on board the (Maine to obviate the danger.
! Special orders with regard to this had
been given by the commanding officer.
Fveryrhmg Was Aft.
The varnishes, dryers, alcohol and other
combustibles, stowed on the Maine could
I not have had anything to do with the de
struction.
The coal bunkers were inspected daily.
Os those bunkers adjacent to the forward
magazines and shell rooms, four were
' -empty, namely B 3, B 4, B 5 , B 6. A
I 15 had been in use that day, and A 16 was
full of new river coal. This coal had been
carefully inspected before receiving. The
bunker in w’hich it was stored was pack
ed on three sides at all times and the
, fourth side at the time on account of
bunkers B 4 and ‘B 6 being empty.
This bunk, A 16 had been inspected that
, day. The fire alarms in the bunkers were
in working order and there had never
been cause for a spontaneous combustion
of coal on the Maine.
Boilers Oidn’t Burst.
The two after boilers of the ship were
in use at the time of the disaster, but for
auxiliary purposes only, with a compara
tively low’ pressure of steam, and being
tended by a reliable watch. These boilers
could not have caused the explosion.
The four forward boilers have been
(found by the divers and are in a fair con
dition.
On the night of the destruction of the
Maine everything was reported secure for
the night at 8 p. m. by reliable penons
to the commanding officer.
At the time the Maine was destroyed
the ship was quiet, and, therefore, the
least liable to accident caused by the
movements of those on board.
** ' n Nature of Explosion.
When the destruction of the Maine oc
curred there were two explosions of dis
tinctly different character with a very
short but distinct interval between each,
and the forward part of the ship w’as lifted
to a marked degree at the time of the first
explosion.
The first explosion was In the nature of
a report, like that of a gun, while the sec
ond explosion was more open, prolonge-d
and of greater volume. The second ex
plosion in the opinion of he court was
caused by the partial explosion of two or
more of the forward magazines of the ship.
The evidence bearing upon this being
principally obtained from the divers, did
not enable the court to form a definite
conclusion as to the condition of the
wreck, although it w-as established that
(Continued on 4th page.)