New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-11
sHTHE TINES" AS A CRITIC.
AN ENGLISH VIEW OF THE FIGHTING
OFF SANTIAGO.

London. July 1.-THE Times" in article
this morning reviewing the war. enters into a
minute criticism Of the naval battle Off Santiago
de Cuba and arrives at the conclusion that
either the gunnery OF the Spaniards float. as
on shore must be hope'essly Incompetent or
their ammunition must he nearly worthless"
II thinks that the fire of the Chinese was rela-
lively excellent.
"Poth souadrons" continues the writer. ear
ried torpedoes. but these might as we'll have
been on shore for the American ships had 10
possible inducement to close to torpedo range.
and the Spanish ships receiving continuous
punishment. were unable TO do so. The action,
ike that OF the Yalu. was therefore decided by
the gun. which will continue to be the dominant
weapon in naval warfare.
THE supreme importance CT good naval gun
merry needs demonstration. AS at the battle
Of the Yalu. fire Is reported to have burst out
quickly on board the stricken vessels; but 1t Is
aot impossible mat In sore cases oil nav have
been employed the decks to insure destruc-
ton If all hope Of escaping capture had van
ished.
Upon the question Of the value Of side
armor compared with protective decks for
cruisers no light is at present forthcoming
The fate Of the torpedo boat destroycrs Furor
and Pluton is noteworthy. As such vessels
carry little combusiiblc material the reports
that they were set aflre may have been due 10
the appearance OF flames from damaged fun
nels. The fact remains that these craft which
had been claimed dangerous antagonists for
a battle ship. were hopelessly wrecked by an
armed yacht which possessed nominally far in
feror speed The Inference is that the tabu-
lated elements Of force and theoretical assump-
tons may need great qualification. IL appears
indisputable that the devotion Admiral Ger
vora's seamen displayed in continuing a hope
less struggle till the last was worthy Of the
loftiest traditions Of the Spanish people
Regarding General Skaters expedition. THE
Illness" article says:
1T recalls In many respects Englands expert
ences In the Crimca. but the lack OF science and
4 organization have resulted In fresh demon
stration OF the admirable hghtlng qualities OF
the Americans"
With reference to the actual position at San
tiago the article observes:
The United States naturally to have
decided that the terms Of surrender should be
unconditional and. in the circumstances. per-
mission To cvacuatc could not reasonably he ex
pected The idea mooted In NewYork that the
Spanlsh garrison can escape II 1t chooses APP
pears to have little foundation. Escape in the
face ~ an active enemy at close quarters is not
an easy operation. and although General Shat
ter is not prepared FOR pursuit. his right wing
would probably no able TO hold tho Spanards
while the latter without transports or food. and
liable TO the suerilla attacks Of the Cuoans
would experience great difficulties.
There H. nothing now 10 justify further
expenditure Of life upon either the capture or
the defence Of Santiago. II 1t he true that Al
mral Sampson declines To send ships into the
harbor. his decision cannot be too strongly
commended Warships have no business in
cramped waters. where the fire Of one or two
guns may disable them.
with reference 10 Admiral Camara's move
ment the writer says
His costly proceedings supply n strong COM
mentary on the terrible mismanagt ment Of the
business OF war at Madrid"