The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-09
ATTACKS ON THE ADMIRAL
DEPRECATED.
Eloquent and Impressive Letter to a
Would Be Critic.
COMMANDERS PLANS CARRIED,
OUT MADE SUCCESS POSSIBLE.

Most Thorough Precaution Taken to Pre-
vent Ceyera,s Escape-Secre,ary, How
ever, Overlooks Fact That Real
Trouble is Apparently Studied Attempt
On Part of Department to Force Samp-
son Ahead of Other Worthy officers.
Washington, August 8.-The Secretary
of the Navy has received letters violently
attacking Admiral Sampson. The follow
ing is copy of his reply to one of them,
which he has furnished for publication: 4
"Navy Department., Washington, DC,
August s, 1893.
ssMy Dear Sir:-I am in receipt of your
letter, and hasten to assure you that what
you say about Admiral Sampson is so
unjust that it can only be pardoned on
the ground of your ignorance OF the
whole matter. You have no appreciation
of the responsibilities that have been up
on Admiral Sampson; of his very superior
attachments as an officer and the splen-
did work he has done in preparing for the
naval victory which was the browning
accomplishment of his efforts for weeks
and weeks before Santiago.
ssJustice is llways done in the long
run. But when you indulge in such un.
founded criticism, cannot forbear to
protest, as 1 should feel bound to do if
you had referred in similar terms to any
other of our deserving officers.
"First-Admiral Sampson was selected
for the command of the North Atlantic
squadron because the department. in
the exercise of it's best Judgment with
an eye single to the public interests, be-
lieyed that he was especially fitted for
the place. Admiral Sicard who held the
command, having become incapacitated
for duty by reason of sickness, was
necessarily withdrawn by order of the de-
partment end Sampson was next in COM
mand. The two are especially accom-
plished ordnance officers, having been
each at the head of the ordnance bureau
and having devoted themselves to that
branch of naval science. Sampson is a
man of the very highest professional at
taiuments. solely devoted to his duty. He
never pushes himself forward and when
you accuse him of anything Of that sort
you do most cruel injustice to a man
who never sought favor or applause in
any other way than by the simple dis
chargs of his duty.
'Second-The movement on Porto Rico
was not a movement for it's capture.
The department., which has very rarely
interfered with the movements of Ad-
mirals commanding squadrons, did how
ever, make one express order and that
was that our battleships should not be
exposed to the risk of serious injury from
the fire of any fort. At that time the
Spanish fleet was strong. Its whereabouts
and destination were unknown. The
primal necessity was to meet and crush
it's ships and to secure for US the domina-
tion of the sea. The Oregon had not ar
rived, the Maine was destroyed, and no
naval authority would justify the un-
necessary risk of the destruction of our
battleships except in battle with the
eneniy's ships.
1.-the movement to Porto Rico was to
meet, if possible, the fleet of Cervera.
which was then expected. Cervera un.
doubtedly learning that our feet was at
San Juan, changed his destination to
Santiago. Our movement to Porto Rico
thus became reconnaissance and fulfilled
it's purpose There was no intention at
army was not there to cooperate.
"Third-With regard to sending our
ships into the harbor of Santiago: Ad-
miral Sampson was acting under the ex j.
pIicit orders of the department. not to ex
pose his armored ships to the risk of sink
ing by mines, and the wisdom of this
course, I believe, is universally aoknowl-
edged by naval authorities. He waited
as be should have done, the cooperation
of the army. How etfectually under this
cooperation the result was Accomplished
is now a matter of history. There are few
more graphic scenes than must have been
presented at four O'Clock on the afternoon
of the 18th of July, when Shafter, with
his troops ready to assault Santiago.
awaited the reply of the Spanish com
mander to the demand for surrender
SIMPSONS fleet was at the mouth of the
harbor, drawn up in line and ready to
lombard as it had been for some DAVIS
previous and the signal officer stood
ready on the heights ready to wao-wag
the signal for firing. Happily instead Of
this signal came the good word that the
Spanish had surrendered. to this combined
readiness for attack.
"Fourth-Please bear in mind the
variety and weight of the Responsibilities
which were on Admiral Sampson for tho
month prior to the great battle which do
stroyed Cervera's fleet. He was COW,
handing officer of the who lie squadron.
charged with the blockade of the wboIa