The record-union., 1898-06-08

han, q member of the War Board,
brings out In his standard work on Sea
Power that 1t is for the naval COM
mander in chief to organize and direct
his offensive or defensive operations
In referring to the brilliant lessons af-
forded by Nelson, Rodney, Farragut
ana other great commanders, he gives
the credit for working out and execut-
ing the splendid campaigns under their
direction without orders or restraint
from outside authority. The only res
ervation made In this general principle
is that the center Of the Government
shapes general policies, and the ma
val campaign is directed toward the
execution of this general purpose OF
the Government.
In the present case the authorities
here have laid down the general ends
to be attained in Cuba and Porto
Rico, and the War Board has supple
mented this with every bit Of informa-
tion which could assist the Commander
in-Chief But beyond this Admiral
SIMPSONS authority is practically
without limit. Under Nthese circum-
stances the naval authorities here have
no means Of knowing when a battle is
to be executed, or what the line of ac-
tion is to be.
The cruiser Buffalo, lately the Nicthe-
roy of the Brazilian navy. arrived in
Hampton Roads to-day directly from
Brazil The vessel, 1t is learned, is not
yet actually on the United States naval
lists. She has been acquired subject
to conditions that will be doubtless
strictly fulfilled by the Brazilian Gov
eminent, but which have not been yet.
They are that the ship must be turned
over in good condition as to hull and
machinery The ordnance will be sup
piled by the United States Government
in the shape of 1O-inch guns now ready
to put in the ship. The machinery OF
the Buffalo is known to be in bad
shape, but just to what extent is not
known here The ship will be inspected
by a naval board when she is ready for
delivery to the Government. Mean
while the work of putting her in condi-
tiOn will go on at once at Newport
News. The Buffalo was not obliged,
like the Oregon, to make detour in
reaching home port in order to avoid
a possible enemy, because. being man
ned by a Brazilian crew, and not yet
the property OF the United States. she
was not subject to attack.
The death of Captain Gridley has
removed one of the officers set down for
advance over the seniors, on account
of the victory of Manila. The promo
tions recommended by the President
are the subject OF much talk between
naval officers. Those who did not par
ticipate in the battle are naturally dis
pleased at being jumped and they
are pointing out the evils Of the prac-
tice, among them being the probability
that some of the very officers advanced
are likely to be in turn jumped, and SO
practically set back by some officers
now on duty with SIMPSONS feet, who
may distinguish themselves in battle.
AHcSC SAASSA = - $3.50 sA~ess - 'OoA~~
only be prudent and fair to go slowly
in the matter of making promotions of
this character, and to await until the
war is ended, when all the meritorious
officers may be rewarded in strict ac-
cordance with their merit.
1t will be good news for the many
persons interested directly or indirectly
in claims against the Spanish Govern
ment growing out of i'll treatment in
Cuba, or loss of property sustained
there, to know that the State Depart
ment has not lost sight of them. and
that their interests are to be fully con-
served when it comes to final settle
ment between the United States and
Spain. These claims on file in the State
Department now amount to an aggre
gate Of $16OO0.O00, and it is the pur-
pose, when treaty of peace is drawn,
to provide therein for their settlement,
either directly or through the more
usual means of joint claims commits
sion.
ARNv nE nCrTYp TTnN 4