The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-08-09


 so Unjust That 1t Can Only be Par-
 doned on the Ground of the Ignorance
 of the Writer-sampson Splendid
 Officer and Modest-His Great Respon-
 abilities.
 Washington, Aug. S.-The secretary of the navy has received several let ters violently attacking Admiral Samp- son. The following is copy of his re- ply to one of them which he has furn- ished for publications:
 Navy Department,
 Washington, D. C., Aug. 8.
 My dear sir; am in receipt of your letter and hasten to assure you that what you say about Admiral Sampson is so unjust that it can only be par doned on the ground of your ignorance of the whole matter. You have no ap- preciation of the responsibilities that have been upon Admiral Sampson; of his very superior attainments as an of flcer and the splendid work he has done in preparing for the naval victory which was the crowning accomplish ment of his efforts for weeks and weeks before Santiago Justice Is always done in the long run. But when you indulge in such unfounded criticism, I cannot forbear to protest, as I should feel bound to do if you had referred in similar terms to any other of our de- serving officers.
 'First-Admiral Sampson was select ed for the command of the North Att lantic squadron because the department in the exercise of it's best judgment with an eye single to the public inter- ests, believed that he was especially fitted for the place. Admiral Sicard, who held the command having become incapacitated for duty by reason of sickness, was necessarily withdrawn, by order of the department, and Samp- son was next in command. The two are especially accomplished ordinance officers, having been each at the head of the ordnance bureau and having de- voted themselves to that branch of naval science. Sampson is a man of the very highest personal attachments solely devoted to his duty. He never pushes himself forward and when you accuse him of anything of that sort you do most cruel injustice to a man who has never sought favor or applause in any other way than by the simple discharge of his duty.
 ''Second-The movement on Porto Rico was not a movement for its cap ture. The department, which has very rarely interfered with the movements of admirals commanding squadrons. did, however, make one express order, and that was that our battleships should not be exposed to the risk of serious injury from the fire of any fort. At that time the Spanish squadron was strong. Its whereabouts and destina- tion were unknown. The primal neceS- sity was to meet and crush it's ships and to secure for us the domination of the sea The Oregon had not arrived, the Maine was destroyed and no naval authority would justify the unnecessary risk of the destruction of any of our battleships except in battle with the enemys ships.
 'The movement to Porto Rico was to meet, if possible, the squadron of Ger vera, which was then expected. Ger vera, undoubtedly learning that our squadron was at San Juan, changed his destination to Santiago. Our move ment to Porto Rico thus became re- connoissance and fulfilled its purpose. There was no intention at this time of taking Porto Rico, as the army was not then ready to cooperate
 "Third-With regard to sending our ships into the harbor of Santiago: Ad- miral Sampson was acting under the explicit orders of the department not to expose his arnored ships to the risk of sinking by mines, and the wisdom of this course, I believe, is universally acknowledged by naval authorities. He waited, as he should have done, the CO., operation of the army How effectual- ly under this cooperation the result was accomplished Is now matter of history. There are few more graphic scenes than must have been presented at four o'clock on the afternoon of the 14th of July, when Shafter with his troops ready to assault Santiago, awaited the reply of the Spanish com mander to the demand for surrender. Sampson's squadron was at the mouth of the harbor, drawn up in line and ready to lombard, as it had been for days previous, and the signal officer stood on the heights ready to wig-wag the signal for firing. Happily, instead of this signal came the good word that the Spanish had surrendered to this combined readiness for attack
 'Fourth-Please bear in mind the variety and weight of the responsibili- ties which were upon Admiral Samp- son for the month prior to the great battle which destroyed Cervera's fleet. He was commanding officer of the whole squadron charged with the blockade of the whole Cuban coast; charged with the detail of all the movements of ships; charged with clerical correspondence with the de- partment and other officers and espe- cially charged with preventing the es- cane of Cervera. Remember that this man whom you so sweepingly accuse, was devoting his days and nights to these duties if you will read the orders issued by him, beginning with June 1 YOU will find that the most thorough precautions had been taken to prevent the escape of Cervera that our fleet was kept constantly in line. so far fror,, tbe entrance at nipbt and SO far