The times., 1898-07-07

An investigation was set on foot yester-
day by the Senate. which will. doubtless.
bring out the facts as TO who comman anded
the American fleet before Santiago har-
Dor at the time of the sinking of the
S1anish men-of-War.
The matter came up through the intro
duction of a resolution thanking Commo-
dore Schley and his officers and men for
their gallant achievement before the har-
Dor OF Santiago. In sinking the entire
Spanish fleet. by Mr. Pettigrew,
who asked that it be printed and go TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs. After some
discussion this order was made.
Mr.. Hale. speaking on the resolution.
said that the full particulars were not
yet known. and he did not think that this
was good time to stimulate jealousy
between the gallant officers of our Navy.
That Commodore Schley has acted
most admirably. there Is no question:
he said. Admiral Sampson report TO the
Navy Department has not been received
in detail. / have no doubt that when
that report comes. II will give full credit
TO all, and ] think the agitation now
urged in the public press and elsewhere
tending to create a feeling between these
officers ought not 10 be encouraged here
Mr.. Pettigrew said that il seemed a
little surprising that there was doubt as
to the question Of who led the American
fleet in that battle. All the accounts
point conclusively TO the fact tina. our
fleet was commanded by Commodore
Schley. who, with the Brooklyn as his
flagship. proceeded for sixty miles fight
ing the most remarkable naval battle
that was ever fought in the world, and
sunk a ship far superior TO his own.
For the purpose of calling attention to
this fact. and seeing justice done, and as
promptly as possible correcting the mis-
apprehension in the minds of our people
and in the newspapers. ! introduced this
resolution" he said.
Mr.. Stewart said that the dispatches
were unfortunate in not mentioning the
fact that Commodore Schley had taken
a particularly important part. 1t had
misled the American people. said Mr..
Stewart. and has created an unpleasant
impression. There Is no man who needs
an investigation more than Admiral
Sampson in order 10 set him right.
Mr.. Allen: Il am inclined To believe that
this matter ought 10 pass over for few
days for careful investigation. | have
no doubt of the competency and bravery
of both of these men.
IF Admiral Sampson. in the line of
duty, was called away from the scene
OF action to hold a conference with Gen.
Shafter. II was the proper place for him
to be. and he would have been blame
worthy if he had failed in that respect
1t does not follow, therefore. that be-
cause he was absent that he was unnec-
essarily absent but. as l understand it,
he was absent in the line of duty If he
had been present. ii his duty had called
him to remain with the fleet. | have no
doubt that he would have prayed a gall
liant part"
Mr.. Hale-He was IN consultation with
the commanding general about immedi-
ate movements.
Mr.. Allen-I will say. frankly. however
that | have been prejudfced against Ad-
miral Sampson on account of the con-
stant newspaper putting ne has received
since the war began. 1t has been my OBJ
Servation that the man who receives
such pulling is generally the one who
falls In the end. I have. on the other
hand. been strongly Impressed with Com
modore Schley. on account of hts not re-
ceiving much favor from the press. But,
Mr.. President. it does not follow that one
man IS entitled to greater credit than the
other If both men were discharging their
duty at the same time.