Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-11-26
Didn't Let Simpsons Repre-
sentative Sign Surrender.
MADE PUBLIC IN LONGS REPORT.
New War Vessels Asked For-Praise For
the Exploits of Dewey and Hobson, the
Marines. the BlocI<aders and Others.
Some Points of the Report.

ScrlbeS IN RAPID order the steps that
were taken to consolidate the squadrons
and put the navy in readiness for the
recent hostilities. Sigsbee's famous tele-
gram asking suspension of public
opinion in connection with the blow
ing up of the Maine is quoted, and the
secretary says
"Hhis judicious telegram did much to
secure in the public minds a dispassion-
ate view Of the disaster"
The story of Dewey's victory at Ma
Mia is told, andfof it the secretary says:
aside from the mere fact of having
won without the loss of single life
such brilliant and electrifying victory
at the very outset of the war, with all
the confidence which it infused through
out the country and into the personnel
of every branch of the service, it re-
moved at once every apprehension for
the Pacific coast. The indirect pecu-
mary advantage to the United States in
the way of saving an increase of insur-
ance rates and in assuring the country
of freedom from attack on that coast is
incalculable.
The secretary describes the naval
operations, which finally resulted in
the destruction of Cervera's fleet. He
shows that Schley's failure, after leav-
ing Cienfuegos where he thought the
fleet was, to stay before Santiago, prior
to SIMPSONS arrival, was because of
the difficulty in towing the collier Mer-
rimac and the inability owing to heavy
seas to coal his ships from the collier,
which made it necessary for him to
start toward Key West. as his vessels
didn't have coal enough aboard.
Schley expressed his regret at not
being able the fulfill the department s
orders. The operations have been fully
covered in these dispatches previously,
in other official matter made public.
Speaking of the sinking OF the Mer-
rimac, the secretary said:
"fhis attempt, although unsuccessful
in its object, was daringly executed. 1t
is now one of the well-known historic
maryels of naval adventure and enter
prise, in which Naval Constructor Hob.
son and his men won undying fame"
One fact disclosed was that Sampson
asked to be represented in any confer
ence held to arrange the terms of sur
render of Santiago, by virtue of the
fact that he had engaged in the Joint
operations Shafter replied that he
should be glad to have Sampson repre-
scented, but the surrender took place
before his representative could reach
the camp. Admiral SIMPSONS chief of
staff did arrive before the final articles
were signed, but Shafter declined to
permit him to be one of the slgnatories.
a brief chapter III the report tells of
the operations of the blockade MANY
devoted officers and crews from the be-
ginning of the war till the end rendered
most valuable and Conscientious service
without opportunity for winning dis
tinction in battle. High praise is
awarded to the marine corps for their
work throughout the campaign. The
secretary says that it should be in
creased to 5000 and the necessary
officers.
Touching upon the naval militia Sec
rotary Long said that, considering their
lack OF experience, the services rendered
by them was so valuable that the coun-
Try has been amply repaid for the money
expended in their instruction and
training.
Praise is accorded to the officers and
men connected with the auxiliary naval
force and the coast signal service Sec
Rotary Long gives complete list of all
the merchant vessels and yachts that
were acquired by lease or purchase for
the navy, and in each case shows the
purchase price. There were ITO of
these vessels, including the warships
bought abroad.
The secretary submits estimates for
the next fiscal year aggregating $47,-
09o, 25l. which is an increase of so, 1853,
l73 over the appropriations for 1899 and
contains new Items aggregating 81, 027,-
S34. OF these new items the most i'm
portant is S4,729,S99 for yards and
docks. There is also an item of 81, 62O,-
600 on account OF the naval academy.
In reference to the workings of the
system OF labor employment at navy
yards, the secretary says that in contin-
uation OF the policy Of giving prefer
ence IN appointment to veterans of the
Civil war he proposes to give the pref
erence now to. the persons who served
during the Spanish American war.
In his opinion the transport service
should be put under the control Of the
navy department., and q national re-
serve should be created to recruit t6e
navy in time of war and to be main
tanned by federal appropriation.
In connection with the subject of
personnel, the secretary suggests the
propriety OF legislation, such as for
merly existed, whereby the way might
be opened for men in the ranks to rise
by merit to official grade.
The secretary recommends legislation
and submits bills providing that in re-
warding one officer injustice shall not
be done to another, and that where Off.
Gers have been jumped in the present
war, that fact shall not operate to their
disadvantage nor retard their regular
promotion. It's Recommendation Of
the department, though no names are
mentioned that the 0radas nf admiral