The times., 1898-10-25
THE MAD RAID ON SCHLEY.
of "a Purpose to Ruin Ger
yern,s Conaucr0r.

New York. Oct 2L-The summary of
SIMPSONS report published in the WASH
ington Times this morning. in view of its
analysis of the contentious of Sampson
and his friends has created something of
stir in this city among prominent finan-
cial people connected with the Spanish
bond syndicates operations last Spring
and since the signing of the peace pro-
tocol. The position taken by The Times
and its ominous conclusions. which seem
to be justified by the text of the report.
were telegraphed to New York early this
morning under the frank of a Republican
leader of national celebrity and import
ance, and it is the common talk of news
paper men familiar with the ramifca-
tions of the Administrations crusade
against Admiral Schley that orders were
received to attack Schley tonight through
any and all means at the disposal of the
Republican press influence.
The course of The Times Is admitted to
nave brought the ScheySampson contro-
versy to an acute issue which is to be
met on the side of Schley's enemies. by
general onslaught through the Asso-
ciated Press, and in every other way pos
sib!e. This intention became known TO
friends of Admiral Schley in this city
today, and 1t will not be their fault if
the country and. later. Congress is not
enlightened in regard TO interesting fea-
lures of the Administration Sampson con-
spiraey which, when published. will not
carry much comfort to the party in
power
But for the effort of the Administration
at this time to load down Schley with
derogatory insinuatIons, and his friends
with threats such as the Evening Pos:
published last Saturday, the whole mat
ter would probably have rested until IL
could be made the basis of a Corgrss-
sional investigation. Now some of the
iac's VIII be likely to come to the sur
lace in advance of election day.
10 cast a side light on the subject of
sampson's strangely powerful influence
over the powers at Washington, a dis
tlnSuished retired naval officer TODAY
stated that the pull of this man in the
the Navy Department, and the anxiety
of the Hanna alliances here and else
where to protect and glorify him, cJu d
be easily understood If certain things
We're considered. This naval officer said.
All you have to do, in order to under
stand SIMPSONS power is to Remember
the Maine. When the court of inquiry
into that bit of official Spanish treacherv
was organized, would it not have been
| highly valuable to an Administration de-
termined to preserve peace at all haz-
| ards. and vital 10 the interests of the
( people who had great scheme and stake
IN maintaining the alliance of the Ad-
ministration with Spain, to promote an
| influence which could be depended unon
not 10 find any Spanish responsibility in
the butchery. and to report the procee i
ings day by day for political and stock
! jobbing purposes?"
All this may not reflect upoa Sampson.
because private opinions are not conclu-
sive evidence before c!yi. military or
congressional tribunals; but there IS
another thing apparently relied upon by
the anti-Sch!ey element. the use of whien
may react upon themselves. 1t IS
charged that. having bottled Ceryera up
in Santiago harbor. Admiral schley sig
nailed his squadron to return to Key
West, and cabled the Navy Department
Nthat he intended TO make uthat move
ment 1t is history that having done 50,
and withdrawn his vessels from the ken
Of the enemy, Admiral Schiey rushed
back before Cervera could have gotten
clear Of his hiding place.
This is matter which, when explained
as it can and will be for the benefit of
Congress, will reflect only credit upon
the strategy and patriotism of Admiral
Schey. The naval authority quoted in
the matter of SIMPSONS pull also said
today that no other course was open to
the squadron commander If he hoped to
tempt the enemy into the open sea.
His action was an intelligent and admir-
able ruse de Guerre. He knew, as Navy
Department officials know, that at the
time in question it was impossible 10
send a dispatch from any quarter either
to the Navy, the War or the State De-
partment, the contents of which would
not be known to persons in Washington
in the service of Spain, within an hour
after translation from cipher 1t was
suspected, and there is not now much
doubt about the matter, that there were
individuals high in the inner confidence
of the Administration who were thus act
ing in the interests of the enemy
Admiral Schley did what prudent
commander would do, believing that the
results and the merited confidence of the
President would justify his conduct y.
a matter of fact Cervera did not rise
to the bait; but Admiral Schley's action
in making a short detour and pouncine
back, is regarded as sufficient evidence oi
his purpose in attempting the diversion.