The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-27

est in the work OF the navy which is only
exceeded by the pardoaabie pride Eel. N
its achievements TIE practical work Of
the navy was iEsugu-atec by the ever
memorable order cahsed Admiral Dewey at
Hongkong by Secretary Lsong on April "a:
War has commenced between the United
States and Spain Proceed at once 20 The
Philippine islands. Commence operations
al once, particularly against tie spanish
feet. You must capture vessels or de-
stsoy. Use utmost endeavor-" Admiral
Dewey sailed from Mrs bay. China. on the
9th and just one week fro-n the DAY tnas
message was sent and four days after
leaving China he had steamed 20 miles ana
destroyed the Spanish feet. No one can
deny tina; he carried on. his instructions 10
the letter. and IN so doing ad@sd an addi-
,sonal page to the glorious naval history OF
our country. The Spanish loss as official
ly reported was 3SI men killed and wound
ed.
= = !:
Secretary Long calls attention TO one OF
the results of Dewey's victory the fun
benefit of which few have fully appreciit-
ed. The destruction OF the Spanish Pacific
squadron removed al menace 10 American
shipping from that source, which effected
an enormous saving in insurance rates. as
well as relieving the Pacific coast cities
from fear of attack.
The secretary reports that Admiral Dew
ey has contracted for the raising OF the
Spanish vessels Cuba Luzon and Austria
and this work is now in progress.
+ !. i.
The report gives the details OF the chase
after Cervera'S feet and the operations OF
Santiago and constitutes the hrs, official
account yet given OF the movements OF
Schley's squadron. ard the reasons for the
clearly apparent delay in reaching the sta
ton after the entrance 10 Santiago. For
some reason Admiral Schley was unable TO,
or, at least did not, realize the Importance
OF taking immediate steps 10 bottle UP the
Spanish squadron. He seems 70 have been
convinced the fleet had taken refuge al
Cieafuegos. The careful and accurate
watch the department was keeping upon
the Cuban ports is demonstrated by the
fact that Cervera's fleet entered Santiago
harbor May -. and on May - the depart
ment notified Admiral Sampson that it was
reported that the Spanish fleet was al
Santiago de Cuba and advised hun TO order
Commodore Schley to proceed to that port
with vessels under his command. In obe-
dience 10 these instructions Admiral Samp-
son at once sent vessel with orders to
Schley directing him, if he was satisfied the
feet was not at Cienfuegos. 10 proceed at
once 10 Santiago, open communications
with the insurgents on the shore, and as
Dor. This dispatch was delivered 10 Schley
on May g. On May 26 Sampson received
a letter from Schley dated May % saying
he was by no means satisfied that the
Spanish squadron was not at Cfenfuegos
and that he would therefore remain off
that port. On May 27 the Wasp was sent
TO carry adyices TO Commodore Schley that
confidential reports had been received from
Havana stating that Cervera's fleet had
been at Santiago from the 18th to the
18th inclusive and directing him to proceed
with all possible dispatch 20 that port On
the same day two dispatches were received
from Commodore Schley, dated May 2ith
stating that he had ascertained that the
Spanish fleet was not at Cienfuegos, that
coaling was difficult off that port. and that
he would go eastward on tie next day. the
26th but that on account of short coal
supply in ships he could not blockade II the
Spanish squadron was in Santiago, but
would proceed 10 the vicinity Of Nicholas
Mole from which point he would conrnun-
icate.
!. X :.
On the morning OF May 81 the Harvard
from Mole ST. Nicholas, delivered 10 Com
modore Schley a dispatch from Secretary
Long stating that the departments infor-
nation was that Cervera's fleet was Sill!
at Santiago. that the department looked 10
him 10 ascertain facts, and that the enemy
Il therein does not leave without decisive
action" To this urgent appeal Schley re-
Piled that the sea was too rough 10 permit
coaling. that the collier Merrmacs engines
We're broken and he was forced TO proceed
TO Key West. Much TO he regretted that
1 cannot obey orders of department" This
dispatch was sent on May Is and the
squadron moved westward. Later In the
day the order to stop was given and the
Texas and Marbiehea6 went alongside the
Merrmac and coaled Commodore Schley
having evidently changed his mind about
goirg 10 Key West, headed his squadron
for Santiago where he arrived on May
% and discovered the Cristohal Colon at
the entrance OF the harbor. This curious
delay and failure 10 obey orders on the
part OF Commodore Schley justsaes the
action Of the department in promoting
Sampson over him, which has been SO
sharply criticised by the public. AS usual
Secretary Long was right
J. !. !.
GenN Skaters inexcusaole discourtesy III
refusing to permit representative OF The
navy. whose joint operations with the
army had compelled the surrender Of SAN
tiago. to be q party 20 the agreement 10
the equalization. is bat briefly alluded to
and without comment The public VIII
make the necessary comments.
The auxiliary naval force, made up OF
sotAHiCeFA - htfHay CoNiHltAutN LOT lis
good work.
The most gratifying feature of the re-
port is the fact that OF the amount ap-
propr!ated by congress for the navy nearly
81 per cent. remains unexpeuded and will
be turned into The treasury. The exact
amount returned Is $2S 80. 1874. No more
eloquent reply could be made 10 the charges
Of waste and extravaganza IN the purchase
OF auxiliary vessels ana supplies made dur
- f9V q al
copperhead journals for political purposes
:. !. i.
Secretary Long recommends that the
transport service be put under The charge
OF the navy. the establishment and organ.
ization of q naval reserve for which the
department has prepared a bill, and the
ssnrr Of rlaa.r rnersnnrei In ..hint,