The times., 1898-11-26

hcation this morning. Considering the ex-
tended ground it covers, 1t Is concise
document and whatever else may be said
of 1t, it is well written, well arranged and
interesting, as everything is in these
times pertaining to the achievements or
interests of the American Navy.
There are many things about the report
to approve, a few to criticise and one 10
condemn with all the strength of an out
ragged sense of respect for truth and de-
cency. No one will read the report with
out feeling shocked at the perfectly evil
dent and coId-blooded determination il
shows on the part OF the Administration
to lie down the known and notorious facts
of the battle of July 8, off Santiago. in
order to make il appear that Sampson
was present and participated in the fight
when his own admissions and the conclu-
sions of the Wainwright Board, appointed
by himself. are conclusive evidence that
he was not within many miles of the
scene of engagement until after il was
over.
This desperate effort which the Admin
istration is making to endow Sampson
with the honors of the Santiago sea fight,
under all the circumstances and condi-
tions of the case. is more than suspicious.
Ii reeks OF a hidden motive-and perhaps
neither voluntary nor good One-to
provide a reward not in any sense earned
as far as its ostensible basis is concerned,
but which it may be in the power of the
proposed beneficiary to demand on ac-
s,l, d
might be inconvenient to have exploited
publicly. With this in view, Secretary
Longs remarks on the blowing up of the
Maine lead up 10 his apocryphal account
of the battle which he says Sampson
fought but says so without a particle
of foundation for the statement, in nat
ural and suggestive manner, concerning
which we shall have more to say else
where and hereafter. Our attention is
attracted to the peculiar fact that. in con-
nection with the destruction of the Maine,
all mention Of SIMPSONS share in pro-
ducing verdict in accordance with the
desires of the Navy Department at the
time is carefully omitted. Mr.. Long be-
gins his story at the time when the Ad-
against the Cuban revolutionists and the
navy was being used as a police force
10 aid the Spaniaris. as a means of fur
therins the interests of the Atkins Nc
Cook combination and the English and
American sugar trusts. Mr.. Long says:
The War.
Throughout the year 1897 the vessels on
lt
engaged in enforcing the observance of
our neutrality laws. and the department
exercised all possible vigilance and activ-
ity in that regard. At the same time the
condition Of affairs in Cuba and the con-
sequences TO the United States and Spain
made IL evident that war might come be-
tween them.
The department, recognizing this fact
on The llth of January last directed the
Communicated of the European sta
tion 10 retain those men whose terms of
enlistment were about to expire. The
Helena. then on her way to the Asiatic
station. was directed to proceed TO Lis
bon and there await further orders The
commander-in-chief of the South Allan
tic station informed of the critical
condition OF affairs in Cuba, and was di-
rected TO proceed with the Cincinnati
and Castine from Montevideo 10 Para on
the north coast of Brazil.
On January q the Maine was ordered to
Havana Cuba. This was the first visit of
a vessel of the United States navy to any
port in Cuba for several years. although
the necessity of protecting American in
terests made the presence of our flag in
Cuban ports desirable.
On February 10, at $50 p. M, this noble
battleship was blown up in Havana Har-
Dor. and two hundred and sixty-six lives
were lost. The news of this appalling ca
tastrophe was communicated in the fol-
lowing dispatch from the commanding Of
ficer:
Havana, Feb Is, 1895
Secretary of the Navy, Washington. d. G:
Maine blown up in Havana Harbor at $40 to-
night and destroyed. Many wounded and doubt
less more killed or drowned Wounded and others
on board Spanish man-oi-war and Ward Line
steamer ssnd lighthouse tenders from Key West
for crew and the few pieces Of equipment above.
No has clothing other than that upon him.
Public opinion should be suspended until further
report. Al officials believed to be saved. Jenk
aus and Merritt not yet accounted for. Many
Spanish officers. including representatives Of Gen
Banco. now with me to express sympathy.
sIGsBEE.
This judicious telegram did much to Sc
cure in the public mind a dispassionate
view OF the disaster A board of inquiry
appointed TO report 10 the department the
vana and began its investigation on Feb
ruary q.
After an exhaustive examination of the
wreck, aud after taking the testimony
of witnesses and experts. the board re-
ported ON the Dist of March that the
Maine mad been destroyed by the explo-
sion of a submarine mine, but that il
was una bic to fix the responsibility upon
any person or persons. 1t was evident
that the cause of the disaster must have
been from the outside.
on the 9Th of March Congress passed
the emergency bill appropriating s5000o,
600 for national defense, and the depart
ment at once took steps to secure auNilia-
ry vessels On the 18th of March a board
was appointed and directed to make
thorough examination OF such vessels as
might be desirable for purchase. Pur-
chaSes were made upon the recommen-
dalton of the board; the vessels bought
were at once sent to the different navy
yards and private yards: the changes nee
essary TO fit them for naval purposes
were pushed forward with the utmost
dispatch and the purchase of ammuni-
tion. guns. and all classes of naval war
material went rapidly on.
The commander-in-chief of the Asiatic
station and the commander-in-chief Of
the North Atlantic station had been en-
gagged in thoroughly preparing the units
of their commands for the test of war.
The squadrons ships. officers. and crews
were in admirable condition and training.
had been for months engaged in tactical
maneuVers and gunnery practice, and
were strengthened by the addition of the
auxiliary vessels as rapidly as converted.
The bureaus of the department had, by
wise forethought. prepared them with ev-