The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-09
THE ADMIRAL DEFENDED
Praise for Sampson From the
Secretary of the Navy.
A MOST CRUEL INJUSTICE
A Bitter and Vindictive Feeling Mani
tested in Many Quarters Toward the
Admiral The Battle Fought
Under His ORDERS.

Washington, Aug. s.-The secretary of
the navy has received several letters vio-
lently attacking Admiral Sampson. To at
least one of these the secretary has replied
and a copy of his reply was furnished for
publication to-day. He does not, however.
make known the name OF the person to
whom his reply is addressed. Secretary
Long stoutly defends the entire course
OF the admiral sine his appointment to
the of the North Atlantic
squadron. The secretary states that
Sampson was selected for the command
because il was believed that he was es-
pecial.y fitted for the place.
"He never pushes himself forward"
says the secretary. and when you accuse
him OF anything of that sort you do a
most cruel injustice to a man who has
never sought favor or applause i'm any
other way than by the simple discharge
of his duty
Discussing. evidently. a complaint be-
cause the fleet did not capture the harbor
Of Porto Rico, Secretary Long says: THE
department, which has very rarely inter
fered with the movements of admirals
commanding squadrons. did. however,
make one express order, and that was
that our battleships should not be ex-
posed to the risk of serious injury from
the fire Of any fort"
This order. he adds, was made while
the strong Spanish fleet was in existence,
and the movement 10 Porto Rico was to
meet. IL possible. the Cervera fleet. There
was no intention OF taking Porto Rico at
that time without the cooperation of the
army.
As to the sending OF the fleet into the
harbor of Santiago. the secretary states
that Admiral Sampson was acting under
explicit orders not to expose his armored
ships to the risk of sinking by mines.
Secretary Long writes at length of the
arduous duties which have devolved upon
Admiral Sampson as commander of the
squadron. calling attention to the elab-
crate instructions which the admiral had
given for the attack upon the spanish
fleet, should IL appear and he adds that
the battle with Cervera was oueht under
these orders and that the victory was the
consummation of the admiral's thorough
preparation.
Secretary Long say he can well under
stand why the friends of other officers
should be so enthusiastic and earnest in
their behalf, for, he says, every one or
them richly deserves the credit for his
glorious work, but he says he cannot un-
derstand why such a bitter feeling Is man
ifested i'm many quarters towards Admiral
Sampson when all these subordinate OFF,
GERS to him In their reports clearly and
cordially recognize the fact that, although
at the beginning he was. by orders from
Washington. going to confer with Gen
eral Shafter. yet the battle was fought
under his orders and was the consumma-
ttion of such thorough preparation
The secretary adds: II can think OF
nothing more cruel than the depreciation
Of the merit of the faithful, devoted, pa
triotic commander-in-chief. physically
frail. worn with sleepless vigilance,
weighed with measureless responsibilities
and details, letting no duty go undone;
for weeks with ceaseless precautions
b~lockading the Spanish squadron. at last,
by the unerring fulhllment of his plans,
crushing II under the fleet which executed
his command; yet now compelled in dig
nihed silence 10 be assailed vindictively as
~ he were an enemy 10 his country. I am
sure that no one more deprecates such an
attack than the officers of the nect-com-
modore. captains and all