The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-07-09
THE NATIVE MARYLANDER Who CAP
TURED CERVERA'S FLEET.
THE THANKS OF CONGRESS TO
BE RENDERED TO HIM.

WASHINGTON, ~. u, July o.-IGePle seh''-
tive Berry, of Kentucky, a member of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today
introduced the following joint resolution
"Joint resolution rendering the thanks of
Congress to Commodore Schley, United States
NAVY. and the officers and men under his com
mand.
Resolved That the thanks of Congress
and Of the American people are hereby ten
dered to Commodore Schley, United States
NAVY. and the officers and men under his COM
mand for their heroic and distinguished con-
duct in destroying the Spanish fleet in Cuban
waters on the third of July last.
The resolution was referred to the Naval
Affairs Committee.
Mr. Berry, in speaking of his resolution,
said Il propose that the officer to whom the
glory is due shall be recognized. Schley is
the real hero of the incident. He and the
brave band of officers and men under his i'm
mediate direction are the ones who achieved
the victory, and all honor should be given
Them Sampson commands the fleet III those
waters. but it was Commodore Schley i'll COM
mand when Cervera and his fleet made the
plucky attempt at escape, and it was under
Schley that every one Of that Spanish feet
met its destruction. Schley and his men have
performed notable feat that will go down in
history hand to hand with that daring forcing
of Manila harbor by Dewey on May l.
Congress should be prompt in recognizing
their services and there should be no delay
in rendering its thanks and those Of the con
try to the real heroes at Santiago"
SAMPSON CRITICISED.
The Baltimore. Nd, Morning Herald |
Bureau, Washington, d. c., July 5.
The resolution introduced in the House of
Representatives this afternoon by Congress
man Berry, giving the thanks Of Congress to
Commodore Schley for the victory over Ad-
milai Cervera at Santiago, was the result of
the work of the friends Of the Commodore this
morning, after they had learned from The press
reports that he and not Admiral Sampson
was in command of the American squadron
when the Spanish ships were destroyed.
1t was noted with regret among Congress
men and Senators that in his first report to
the Department Admiral Sampson failed not
only to give credit to Commodore Schley, but
he failed even to mention his name. Com
ment on this feature of Admiral Sampson
report was also heard among officers i'll the
in he hotel corridors and on the streets. The
talk was somewhat caustic against Admiral
Sampson.
The cautious expressions of the naval Off
GERS were less aggressive, however. 1t is ac-
knowedged that Admiral Sampson is IL good
officer, and the opinion in the Department is
| that his extended official report will give full
credit to Commodore Schley. 1t was pointed
out that, although Admiral Sampson was not
in the fight, except at the last, this is no fault
of his, and no blame can be attached to him
! for it.
Sampson dispatch reads: The fleet UNI
der my command. The criticism made to
this by many is that it is in reality unfair to
Schley.
| 1t is learned that Il slight difference of
opinion has arisen in the Cabinet over this
question. Some members of the Cabinet have
expressed their dissatisfaction to Congress
men. A member of the Cabinet is quoted as
saying this about the matter:
The whole treatment of Schley and Samp-
son since the beginning of the war is the doing
of the navy clique. than which there is nothing
more Presidential in the entire Government
service. This clique told Secretary Long that
Sampson was the man to command the North
Atlantic Squadron. Secretary Long chose
him entirely on their recommendation.
Commodore Watson was not in the fight AZ
| all. His flagship. the Newark, was coalng at
| Guantanamo.
PRAISE OF'NAvAL OFFICER.
The annhilation of the Spanish fleet con-
tinues to be an absorbing topic among naval
praise to Commodore Schley for the notable
manner in which he directed the fight when
| the immediate command fell to his lead. The
| Commodore s friends have long predicted that
| if he secured an opportunity he would render
good account of the fighting ability of the
American Navy, and they are glad this oppor-
tunity was afforded.
1t is one more, and perhaps the greatest,
achievement i'll IL long line with which Com
modore Schley's name has been associated;
others, including the relief Of the Greedy
Arctic expedition and the command of the
Baltimore at Valparaiso when war was immi-
nent as IL result of the mob attack on the
American bluejackets.
| AN HONOR ASKED.
In view of the magnificent showing that he
made in his fight with the Spanish fleet under
Admiral Cervera the friends of Commodore
| Schley are trying to have the Navy Depart,
ment name him to command the fleet that is
to proceed against the coast of Spain. The
man named for this duty by the Department
! is Watson, but it is believed that with Ger
vera's feet entirely out of the way Commodore
! Schley may now be chosen.
This feet will be the very best that can be
made up out of the American Navy, and the
results that it is certain to accomplish will be
of a sort calculated to open the eyes of the
| Old World.
To command this fleet will be the greatest
OF, all naval honors, for the work of the ships
will undoubtedly bring Spain to her knees.
| The friends of Schley claim that he is the man
| for the task. and that he has shown his skill
| in disposing of Cervera's fleet as neatly as
Dewey disposed of the Spanish ships at Ma