Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-08-11
SAMPSON DEPENDED.
Secretary Long Writes a,Letter Answer
ing an Attack Made on the Admiral.

Secretary Long Writes n'Letter Answer
ing an Attack Made on the Admiral.
Washington, August 9.-The secre-
tary OF the navy mas received several
letters violently attacking Admiral
Sampson. The following rs o copy of
his reply to one OF them, which he
furnishes for publication;
"Navy Department, Washington,
August 5.-My Dear Sir: d am in re-
ceipy OF your letter and hasten no ns-
sure you that what you say about
Admiral Sampson is so unjust that
IT can only he pardoned upon the
ground of your ignorance OF the
whole matter.
"You have no appreciation OF the
responsibilities that have been upon
Admiral Sampson; Of his very super
Tor attalnments as an officer, and The
splendid work he has done in pre-
pairing for the naval victory which
was the browning accomplishment OF
his efforts for weeks and weeks be-
fore Santiago. Justice Us always done
in the long run. hut when you in
dulge in such unfounded criticism,
cannot forbear to protest, as | should
feel bound to do IL you had referred
In similar terms to any other OF our
deserving officers.
''First-Admiral Sampson was Sc
lected for the command OF the North
Atlantic squadron, because the de-
partment, I'm the exercise OF IT'S best
Judgment, with an eye single TO the
public interests, believed that he was
especially fitted for the place. Admir-
al Sicand, who held the command,
having become incapacltated for duty
by reason of sickness, was necessar-
lily withdrawn, by order of the de-
partment, and Sampson was next in
command.
'T)hese two are especially accom-
plished ordnance officers, having been
each at the head OF the ordnance bu-
reau, and having devoted themselves
to that branch Of naval science.
Sampson is a man of very highest
professional attachments, solely de-
voted to his duty. He never pushes
himself forward, and when you ac-
cuse him Of anything Of that sort you
do most cruel injustice ITO man who
has never sought favor or applause
In any other way than by the sim
pie discharge of his duty,
"Second-The movement on Porto
plco was not movement for It's cap
ture The department, which has very
rarely interfered with the movements
OF admirals commanding squadrons,
did, however, make one express Or
der, and that was that our battleships
should not ibe exposed to the risk of
serious injury from the fire OF she
fort, At that time the Spanish feet
was strong. It's whereabouts and
destination were unknown, The prdm-
al necessity was to meet and crush
it's ships and to secure for domina-
ton Of the sea.
'"Tlhe Oregon had not arrived, the
Maine was destroyed, and no naval
authority would justify the unneces-
sary risk for the destruction of any
of our battleships except in battle
with the enemy's ships. The move
ment to Porto Rico was to meet, df
possible, the feet of Cervera, which
was then expected. Cervera, undoubt-
eddy learning that one fleet was atSan
Juan, changed his destination to San
tiago. Our movement to Porto Rico
thus became q reconnaissance and
fulfilled it's purpose. There was no in
tention at this time of taking Porto
Rico, as the army was not then ready
to cooperate.
"Third-Wfth regard to sending our
Ships into the harbor of Santiago:
Admiral Sampson was acting under
the explicit orders of the department
not to expose his armored ships to
The risk of sinking by mines, and the
wisdom Of his course, believe, is
universally acknowledged by naval
authorities. He waited, as he should
have done, the cooperation of the
army. How effectually, under this
cooperation, the result was accom-
plished is now matter of history"
There are few more graphic scenes
than must have been presented at A
O'Clock upon the afternoon of the 14th
Of July, when Shafter, with his troops
ready to assault Santiago, awaited
the reply of the Spanish commander
10 the demand for surrender. Samp-
sons feet was at the mouth of the
harbor, drawn up in line and ready
to lombard, as 1t had been for days
previous, and the signal officers stood
apon the heights to wigwag the sig
nal for firing. Happily, instead OF
ibis signal, came the good word that
The Spaniards had surrendered 10
mis- combined readiness for attack.
"Fourth-Please bear in mind the
variety and weight Of the responSi-
bilitIes which were upon Admiral
Sampson for the month prior to the
great battle which destroyed Cerve"
ra's feet. He was commanding offi-
Ger Of the whole snna9ronI chsSSsd