The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-24
Why That Delay ?

There appears to be a determined dis
position in some quarters to criticize
somebody for the tardiness with which
competent divers were conveyed to the
scene of the Maine disaster. When we
recall that the harbor at Havana has
mud bottom into which the ruined
Maine is steadily sinking the import
ance of obviating unnecessary delay
in the work of examining the ships
submerged interior becomes manifest.
This view of the matter is reflected in
the Washington Post, which says:
We do not pretend to any intimate ac-
QuaintanCe with the regulations govern
ing the every day routine of the navy,
but we have studied history to some eN-
| tent and we do not hesitate to express
| the opinion that the commanding officer
of the squadron. Admiral Sicard, could
| have sailed for Havana Tuesday night
| and reached there 10y sunrise on We'd
| nesday morning without violating any Of
the propreties or exceeding the discre-
| ton permitted him under the crcum-
stances. He could have taken any of the
vessels in the fleet and carried with him
| experienced professional divers, of whom
there are always q number to be found
at Key West and he could have begun
| at once and under the most favorable
| auspices the work which now, after de-
| lay of five days. has been begun under
| conditions of very doubtful charac-
ter 4" Why did not Admiral Slcard
| steam for Havana the moment he heard
| the dreadful news about the Maine, and
| why did he not take with him the most
| experienced divers to be found at Key
| West. with the modern appliances and
| paraphernaia, and all this before mis-
| nf
! tampering with or tempting them to un-
| holy things? Does any rational human
| being believe that he would have been
| condemned either by his official superiors
| or by public opinion? Was not such a
| course. i'm fact, well within his rights?
Our admirals, cCmmodores, captains, and
| other officers of command rank are not
expected to fall back upon red tape in
| moments of emergency. Why did Ad-
miral Sicard ask Washington for instru2-
! tions in the face of a tragedy, with which
| il was his duty to deal. promptly, decis-
| lively. upon his own responsibility? To
what end does he hold rank and au-
| thority, if somebody in department bu-
reau, more than a thousand miles away,
! must tell him how to use themH
These questions may do the admiral
an injustice and it is to be hoped that
| his reasons for his course were ade-
duate, but it is undeniable that the
| Post has voiced a feeling which is
! largely prevalent among laymen. We
! have heard it's questions asked repeat
edly by citizens of Scranton who have
discussed the different aspects of the
Maine blow-up. Perhaps it is expect
| ing too much of the government to
want it to make no mistakes in an
emergency of so dramatic and exciting
"a character; but the feeling neverthe-
| less exists that the naval officer who
shows up to the best advantage in con-
nection with this affair is not the ad-
miral at Key West; but rather the
cool headed and energetic captain at
Havana.
If promotion went by merit instead
of Captain he would now be Admiral
Sigsbee.
|