The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-09

= Nv dear sir-I am In receipt OF your
letter ana hasten to assure you that
what you say about Admiral Sampson
Is 90 unjust that It can only be pardoned
on the ground Of your ignorance Of the
whole matter vow have no apprecia-
tion OF the responsibilities that have
been upon Admiral sampson: of his very
superior attainmsnts as an ofhcer. and
the splendid work he has done preparing
for the naval, victory which was the
browning accomplishment Of his efforts
Tor weeks and weeks before Santiago.
ruetice is always done in the long run:
but when you indulge in such unfounded
criticism. I cannot forbear to protest, as
! should feel bound to co IL you had re-
ferred in similar terms to any other Of
our deserving effieers.
Fipt-Admiral Sampson was selected
for the command OF the North Atlantic
squadron because the department, in
the e1Srcise OF its best judgment with
IN eye single to the public interests. be-
1ieved that he was especially ftted Tor
the place. Admiral Sicard, who held the
command. having become incapacitated
Tor duty by reason Of sickness. was
necessarily withdrawn by order of the
department. and Sampson was next In
command. The two are especially ac-
eomplished ordnance officers, having
been each at the head Of the ordnance
bureau and having devoted themselves
"a that branch Of naval science. Samp-
non II a man of the very highest profess
oionaI attainments. solely devoted to
his duty. He never pushes himself for
ward, and when you accuse him of any
thing Of that sort you do most cruel In
1ustice to man who has never sought
favor or applause in any other way than
Y ~ the simple discharge of his duty.
! 8econd--The movement on Porto Rico
Was not movement for it's capture.
. The department, which has very rarely
Gnterfered with the movements OF ad-
nnirals commanding squadrons. did,
/ however, make one express order. and
\ that was that our battleships Should not
Be exposed to the risk OF serious injury
(. from the fre of any fort. At that time
4 che Spanish fleet was strong. It's where
nbouts and destination were unknown
The primal necessity was TO meet and
crush Its ships. and to secure for us the
domination OF the sea. The Oregon had
\ not arrived. the Maine was destroyed
and no naval authority would justify
the unnecessary risk of the destruction
OF any Of our battleships except In
battle with the enemy's ships.
The movement to Porto Rico was e
meet II possible the feet of Cervera
which was then expected. Cervera, un-
& 6oubtedly learning thai our fleet was a
Gan Juan. changed his destination e
Santiago Our movement 20 Porto Ric,
ehus became a reconnaissance and full
H1led Its purpose. There was no inten
zion at the time OF taking Porto Rico
~ the army was not there TO cooperate
Third With regard to sending ou
Whips into the harbor OF Santiago. Ad
sniral Sampson was acting under the ex
DIicit orders OF the department not Z
expose his armored ships to the risk o
sinking by mines. and the wisdom of thi
course. believe. is universally &c
knowledged by naval authorities. II
waited. an he should have done. the &C
operation Of the army. How effectuall
under this cooperation the result wa
accomplished IL now a matter OF histor
There are few more graphic scenes ths
MIOEk uA<E O<En HtEE&nA<N ~ " ttoth 7
che afternoon OF the 18th Of July wh'
ohafter. with his troops ready TO a
oault Santiago. awaited the reply OF q
Spanish commander TO the demand Z
surrender. SIMPSONS fleet was at I
mouth OF the harbor. drawn up in II
and ready TO lombard. as II had been
Gays previous. and the signal offic
stood on the heights ready TO wigw
che signal for frine. Happily. inste
Of this signal chms the good word tn
1he Spanish had surrendered TO n
combined readiness for attack.
Fourth-P]>a~e bear In mind the v
riety ana wetnhf OF the respcnssbili
which were uptB Admiral sampscn
GHe month prl1r b me great bat
which destroyed C<vveras fleet
~ commanding officer Of the wh'
squadron: charged with the blocka
" the whole Cuban coast: charged wi
. ~ 6etap Of ali the movements OF shin
<HezoE1 r1th clerical eorrespsnden