Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-26
THE ARCTIC DISASTERS.
Who Is RespOnsibIe l-(sen. Ihazen to
Lieut.. GarlingtOn's Attorney.
wing letter EXPLAINS Itself

WASHINGTON CITY, July 26th. 1884.
Mr. LINDEN KENT: Your letter OF the 22d inst i,
which first saw in the newspapers, calls for a re-
ply because 1t accuses OF trying to shift respon
sibility to Mr. Greedy, and your client, Mir. CARING
deny having in any manner, either by fact or
intent, done this; or that anything published by
my consent or authority could lead to such an ac-
CuSatiOn.
have invariably declined to be interviewed on
these subjects, and anything that may have been
published contrary to the foregoing, repudiate
But In these three newspapers you have called my
attention to as the ones on which your structures
are written. the Washington STAR, OF July 18th,
and Post OF the 18th and 10Th, there is nothing
thOr1Zlng what you claim.
There Is an important fact connected with this
question which you disregard Before the first ex-
petition started, the whole plan, embracing depots
their size, number and location, time OF leaving
station, and route Of retreat in 1885, with the
entire scheme for the three years. and rescue after
wards, was carefully elaborated and reduced TO a
complete plan.
Being Mr.. Greelys expedition it was proper that
he should prepare all these Instructions which he
did So far as could be seen the plan was faultless
and 1t was approved.
After reaching his Arctic station Mr.. Greedy wrote
out, with great care, plan for the two relieving
ships OF 1882 and 1885, that u.s. the work OF Mr. Beebe
more complete, and differing somewhat from the
first One ending with these words: "No deviation
from these instructions should lie permitted. Lat-
tude or action should not be given to party who
on known coast are searching for men who know
their plans and orders"
Mr.. Greedy was on the spot and was the proper
person 10 make this plan, and 1t was adopted and
became necessarily the plan OF rescue and the only
prearranged one there could be. There was but
one thing to do, and that was plainly and simply to
carry it out. This was literally done by myself,
Mr.. Beebe and Mr. Darlington, and l am fully
responsible for it up to the sinking OF the ship.
For doing this you attempt 10 hold me culpable.
This Is what have always said and there Is not
shadow OF reflection upon MI. Greedy nor has there
been an attempt to SHIFT responsibility to any one
This shows that in everything done relating to de-
pots, and the selection of LittletOn island Instead
OF Cape Sabine as depot, and the intention to
rptn nf no in
1t did not reach MIR. Greedy. and not the way up
were all In exact accordance with these plans, and
In them there was no room for discretion.
The depOtS upon the route were established so tar
as the boats reached, just agreed upon as to 10
cality, quantity and kind Of stores
There Is not the shadow OF q reflection upon Mt
Greedy In this nor upon any one. and in publishing
your letter you have entirely misrepresented me-
There never was more carefully elaborated,
painstaking and conscientious plan OF work than
this, both by Mr. Greedy and myself, and there
could be none where the prearranged plan, upon
which everything must depend was adhered to
with greater fidelity Nothing could induce me to
reflect upon Mr.. Greedy, but, on the contrary the
In reviewing the past all men see much they wish
had been different. This covers all you or any one
can Justly say In criticism.
Before leaving Washington Mr.. Greedy impressed
upon me- as rorc1bly as any man could, and rightly,
the absolute necessity of supporting him literally
directs ea haa vi as me
influence would be brought to have the plans
changed. just as there have been.
4, NeSpoSiouitJ unueI LILY uTeCuon eHueu WIN
the sinking OF the Proteus, and Lieut. Garlingtons
conduct up to that time had been perfectly efficient
well recognized custom OF service makes it i'm
proper for Mr. Darlington or myself to publicly dis
cuss the action Of the court OF inquiry. This rule
equally applies to the counsel of both Nor does it
call for great astuteness, to see in the light OF past
events, wherein plans might have been better at
first, so as to have met after occurrences. Would
1t be just to hold to personal account commander
who in battle in obedience to duty had drawn the
fire Of the enemy by his own we'll directed vollieS,
from which brave men were killed? Your efforts
seem to be Of this nature
Ifail to any sufficient reason for your writing
me the letter to which this is reply or in your be-
coming my accuser when you became Mr.. CARING
tons counsel.
l am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(SgnedD w. b. HAzEN.