The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-12-01
CLASH OF
AUTHORITY
Shsfter Had No Considers
tIOn for Sampson In
the Late War.
THE ADMIRAL'S REPORT
NSStteo tubStSobinB AAtuS DiiiSi
ences Between Army and
Navy Before Santiago.
THE wARSHIPS DID 1T ALL
Troops on Shore Were Not Allowed by
shsfter TO Stand Fire. as the Navy
Was Compelled to Do.
THE wARsHIPs DID 1T ALL

WASHINGTON. Nov. 0.-The navy de-
partment today made public a report
from Admiral Sampson covering the oper-
atoms of the United States blockadlng
feet on Santiago after the destruction OF
cenera's squadron.
| He quotes dispatches from himself 10
Shaftcr. stating that II was impossible
70 force an entrance 20 the harbor until
the mines had been removed. and that
tho work could b. accomplished only
after the troops had taken the forts.
shAfter replied:
II am At loss TO see why the navy
cannot work under a destructive fire as
well as the army"
In reply Admiral sampson pointed ou;
that the channel Of the hArbor was well
strewn with mines. which would certainly
result In tho sinking OF one or more OF
his ships II he attempted to enter the
harbor. and that. by sinking them the
hArbor would be blocked against the
entrance OF the others. He had hoped
shafter would take the batteries from
tho rear. so he might drag for torpedoes.
but Il was Skaters earnest desire that
ho should force an entrance He would
prepare 10 undertake Il, thinking. how
ever. the position OF both the army and
the navy would be made more difficult
II they failed In the attempt. Says Samp-
son:
'It Is not so much the loss OF men as
loss OF ships which has until now deferred
me from making a direct attack upon the
ships within the port"
Admiral Sampson says that. after the
destruction OF cervera's feet. the harbor
was to be forced by the feet Admiral
! Sampson says he does not know why this
plan was abandoned.
Thus" says sampson, II have been
surprised to see published In the papers
any statement OF a refusal on my part
70 endeavor TO force my way into the
harbor. and cannot understandable case
the newspaper report has been truthful
statement OF what was sent by him
General Skaters sending any report OF
this kind"
Continuing. Admiral Sampson says:
THE navy has been placed In such a
false position before the country through
the very unwise publication OF General
Skaters kilograms that think this
matter in some way should be clear to the
public"
When Sampson sent a naval officer to
take charge OF the Spanish gunboat Al
varado an officer Of the army was found
on board the Alvarado. who stated he
had been sent to take charge OF her
lwhereupon Sampson addressed the fol-
lowing letter to General Shafter:
Upon sending an officer to take charge
OF the captured Spanish gunboat. tho AL
varado. 1t was found that one OF your
officers was on board, evidently with the
expectation OF taking her in charge. 1t
should be necessary to remind you that
IN all joint operations OF character of
those which have resulted In the fall OF
Santiago all floating material is turned
over to the navy, as all forts, etc, go to
the army, Although my forces have fire.
Quently engaged the forts and yours have
not exchanged shot with them, l
await the arrival Of detachment Of your
troops to take possession. as they must
eventually occupy them. expect the
Same consideration.
II request that you win relieve Lieu
tenant Caruthers OF the duty given him,
as l have directed Lieutenant Marble to
assume command Of the Alvarado."