The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-08
Let Honors Rest where Due.

1t is unfortunate that the luster of
the great naval victory in Santiago
bay last Sunday should be dimned.
even temporarily. by any controversy
over the point as to whom the honor
of vanquishing Cerveras fleet right
fully belongs. 1t would. however, be
equally unfortunate, If the honor
should by any official favoritisIn be ac-
corded in history to the commander
who was not justly entitled to the dis
tinction accompanying. and the claims
TO popular favor resulting from, SO re-
markable an achievement.
Even prior to the battle rumors were
current in Washington that Commo-
dore Schley was in danger nf Icing
overshadowed and crowded into OBJ
security by the navy department for
some unknown reason. and the facts
seemed to justify that theory With
the title he now bears. Commodore
Schley assumed the command of the
flying squadron, so called, on it's for
nation at Hampton Roads. Capt.
Sampson served on the Maine board
Of inquiry and, following it's adjourn
ment, and on the Retirement OF Rear
Admiral Sicard, at the age limit, was
detailed to the command OF the fleet
at Key West and received the appoint
ment of acting rear admiral. When
Admiral Cervera left the Cape Verde
islands. SIMPSONS fleet and Schley's
squadron took up the chase. The DEM
onstrations by Sampson. and particu-
larry that at San Juan, Porto Rico,
seemed a trifle premature and unnecss-
sary, but criticism was generally with
held. Meanwhile 1t became apparent
that Schley was the one who had dis
covered the hot trail. but when he had
at last lodged his quarry snugly in
Santiago bay. even the authorities at
Washington were slow to accept the
announcement as true. even after
Schley declared that he had himself
had view of certain vessels Of Ger
vera's fleet, which, as it was subse-
quently revealed, he correctly indi-
Gated. Sampson hurried from the west
ward end of Cuba, to which he mad
returned after his fruitless chase, and
assumed charge of the succeeding ma
neuvers. During the past fortnight
came the announcement that the
with the fleet of Sampson and the
commodore became subordinate to the
captain, who was acting admiral, by
appointment. To the mind experienced
in the methods of political friends of
certain naval officers awaited of at oil
periods to secure their advancement.
the movement was suggestive of a de-
termination somewhere to conserve for
Sampson the chief honors of the naval
campaign lat Santiago. Meanwhile
Schley remained as under an eclipse.
SO marked was this attempt to over
shadow him that the Baltimore Herald
was moved to comment on the situation
several days before the battle in the
following words:
Certainly there can be no objection to Conn
modore Schley on the score of competency.
This distinguished son of Maryland has long
Deen reouted to be one of the ablest and
MOST intrepid commanders of the American
navy. His record is one of marked capacity
Tor every duty and for zeal and courage in
their discharge.
If 1t is not asking too much, the people,
especially OF Baltimore and Maryland, would
be obliged to Secretary Long if he would
explain why Commodore Schley's squadron
apparently passed by in the distribution of
honors.
The story of the battle has been told.
Schley had succeeded in "bottIing up
Cervera in Santiago bay. and Samp-
son Immediately proceeded to ''bottle
up Schley and secure for himself the
honor as cOmmander-in-chief of the
fleet of the final capture of the Spanish
admiral. Fortuitously and quite just
ly, also. it would appear, an interpos-
ing but invisible force led Sampson on
a accommodating expedition, just at the
moment when Cervera was preparing
for escape; hence it fell to the good
fortune of Schley to personally con-
duct the operations resulting in the
destruction of the Spanish fleet, prac-
tically unaided by the subordinate of
ficer. who, through some unexplained
agency, had been sent to outrank him
in authority. SIMPSONS dispatch to
the department. as bulletined, contain
ed no reference to the work of Schley.
Furthermore. it was a dispatch strik-
ingly in contrast with the simple bus
iness-like style Of Deweys announce
ment of his victory at Manila. It
seemed like an imitation of Sherman's
famous dispatch announcing a Christ
mas present of Savannah to the ma
ton in 1864. which, being original, was
appreciated, because 1t reflected the
individuality of the man. SIMPSONS
message seemed to partake of the
''hasty plate of soup" variety intro
duced by Gen. Scott, and the "head-
quarters in the saddle" quality of Gen.
John Pope.