The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-07
scHLEy.

SS0LEf.
II occurs to us that there is likely
70 be a popular demand for such a.
recognition OF Commodore Schley's
services TO his country as shall leave
no doubt in the minds of the people.
that the management of the navy to-
day knows no prejudices except in
favor of service performed.
schley was by all odds the supreme
figure OF the battle of Sunday. the
most notable naval engagement In all
history. With his own ship in the van
and his signals directing the battle. the
enemy's magnificent squadron was to-
tally destroyed. while our own ships
were hardly scratched. The great bat
lie was remarkable for the dash and
courage on the part OF the COM
manders and crews of both squad
rons. but the skill and proficiency in
their profession was almost exclusively
demonstrated by the Americans, and
that to an amazing degree. such a
running fight with so quick a triumph
against ships Of practically equal
strength and greater speed than his
own, prove Schley to be one of the
worlds greatest commanders.
While there has been little popular
disposition in the war SO far to take
sides or to complain against any dis
position of the officers in the army and
navy by the Washington authorities.
We take 1t that there has long been
an underlying public sentiment that
Schley has been somewhat in danger
of side-tracking. But by the fortune
OF war he has persisted in coming TO
the front. and his splendid work of
Sunday surely demands prompt and
full recognition. To be sure, 1t was
good luck that turned Cervera to the
westward. right under the guns of his
flagship. instead OF to the eastward
where his superior. Sampson, was
scouting. But 1t was quick. skillful
strategy and brave work that seized the
opportunity and got from it all there
was in It. Luck didn't figure in that.
BY naval rank, based on years oi
service and fixed in the naval register
up to the time Of the beginning of war
schley was SIMPSONS senior by two
numbers, making them practically OF
equal rank. But upon the outbreak oi
war Sampson was made an acting real
admiral and placed in command OF tn,
ontirc force on the Atlantic. Will,
echley was given the flying squadron
his rank being commodore. two mum
bcrs below Watson. who is also will
the Cuban fleet. schley's flying squad
ron was held at Hampton Roads whil'
Sampson blockaded Havana. bu
promptly he was freed he proceede,
20 hunt Cervera's feet, and he quickl.
found Il, though not until his superio
had "verined" his discovery did tn
navy department seem TO feel sur
that schley knew his business.
was schley who discovered th
Whereabouts Of cervera. It was schle
who guarded the mouth Of santias
harbor until the large feet arrive,
ana II was schley who destroyed n
spaniard. though both his authorii
and his flying squadron had bee
merged into that of the feet Of samI
son.
It is evidently time that schley Wa
given a substantial recognition and =
longer held as n subordinate 10 an
olrlcer In the navy with an acting rar
above him A promotion Of only n
customary ten numbers would nal
achiey an admiral today. and an a,
mIfai schIey ought 20 be. lie has d
moprsfrted his capacity and won a
reward Of promotion ~ Distinctly :
3id Dewe, a. Manila.