The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-12-01

as Is customary in all services in such |
circumstances.
Captain Chadwick arrived at the |
front at the earliest hour II was pos
sible for him to do so and informed
General Shafter Of my expectancy In
the matter, but General Shafter per-
emptorily refused. The convention had
already been signed and he stated as
one reason that nothing had been said
of the army In my report of the fleets
action of July 3. There would have
been as much reason for mentioning
the navy in the report Of the land ac-
tion of July I. when assault was made
by our army on the Spanish lines.
NO mention was made Of the ship
ping in the capitulation and Captain
Chadwick informed General Shafter
that all Spanish ships would he re-
garded by us as property to be turned
over TO the navy. He said he would
refer such matter to the secretary oi
war. but that. of course. could have no
bearing upon what | considered my
duty i'm the matter. particularly in the
view of our late experience of Spanish
pertidy i'm regard to injury of ships.
which, r my opinion, made 1t neces-
sary To look after their safety at once.
| thus, after the hauling down of the
Spanish nag sent prize crews on board
the gunbOat Alvarado and the hNe
merchant steamers in the harbOr. An
officer of the army was found on board
the Alvarado, who stated he had been
sent to take charge of her whereupon
| addressed the following letter to Cen
eral Shafter:
CAPTURES \ GUNBOAT.
! United States Flagship New York, july L.
Sir: Upon sending IN an officer To TAX"
| charge of the captured Spanish gunboat
! the Alvarado, 1t was found that one of
I Your officers was on board evidently win
/ the expectation of taking charge of her.
I II should hardly he necessary To remind
! you that i'm all Joint operations of the
/ character of those which have resulted IN
/ the fail of Santiago, all floating material
/ is turned over to the navy as all forts,
! etc. are To the army. | have been lying
/ within 800 yards OF MORO, from which
| the Spanish flag was hauled down at
( O'Clock and upon which the United states
flag has not yet at y. M. been hoisted
Although my forces have frequently en-
gagged those forts aud yours have not
I exchanged a shot With them, | await the
4 arrival of a detachment Of your troops
/ to take possession as they must eventual
ly occupy them. | expect the same con-
sderation.
/ request that YOU will relieve Iieutrn-
ant "urrihcrs Of the duty given him. as !
/ have directed Lieutenant Marble to as
sumo command OF tho Alvarado.
After quoting some further corrc-
spondence ON the matter in which
Sampson claims the prize he refers to
III. faH.
captured vessels and the failure of
Shafter to invite any of the squadron
/ officers to be present at the surrendCL
SHAFTER'S TART REPLY.
Skaters rejoinder came Aug. /, dl-
rected to Admiral Sampson as follows:
Santiago, Aug. I, 1888.
/ | do not acknowledge tn" authority Of
! the secretary of the navy in the matter
in which YOU wire me. The surrender Of
! Santiago was made To me by Goneral
[ Toral in person. in SurrCndpring verbally
/ all the prisoners and public property of
! Spain i'm the district commanded by him
| and ] accepting the sam" i'll the presence
of troops representing all the respective
armies rhe details for carrying this Ihto
effect were arranged by three commiS-
SiunerS ON each side. These articles Were
| signed by the respective commissioner
/ in duplicate. one copy handed to General
Torai and the other was sent by mo to the
secretary of war. Neither General Toi al
nor myself signed them. Certainly could
not and would not remit these articles to
any officers signature, my own not be-
ing affixed. and shall protest to the see
rctary of war against your signature to
that document. ] respectfully invite your
attention 10 the fact that no claim for
any credit for the capture Of Cervcra and
his fleet has been made by The army. al
thpnpb IL iS "A H., SnluiSh fleet did