[Inclosure No. 2, with dispatch No. 782, Havana, February 28, 1898.]
Havana, February 26, 1898.
To His Excellency the Governor-General of the Island of Cuba.
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 25th instant. In reply I beg to inclose a copy of my telegram to the honorable Assistant Secretary of State at Washington in reference to the subject, and also the Department's reply.
It would be observed that the United States Government thinks that the examinations by the two Governments should proceed independently, but that every facility should be given to make whatever investigation your Government may see fit. I will confer with Captain Sigsbee on the subject and suggest that he visit the admiral of the naval station, and I have no doubt that these two officers can agree upon a plan which would be satisfactory for all concerned.
I am quite sure that neither Government has any other object except to ascertain all the facts connected with the explosion of the Maine, and that the great desire of both Governments is to proceed harmoniously with the work.
I am, etc.,Consul-General.
