Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-09-08

The spanish war was the navy OPP
portunity, and right nobly has it re-
sponded. Officers and men alike
have indicated themselves against
the altogether unjust aspersions that
have been cast by European critics
upon the professional ability Of the
one and the courage and discipline of
the other.
The impression had gone abroad
that the crews of American war ships
we're made up of men of many ma
tionalitles, who possessed little or no
enthusiasm for the flag, and in the
confusion Of sea fight would scarce
ly be amenable to discipline. The
last census Of the navy, however,
shows that our crews are essentially
American aud native born the ex.
ceptions being very few-and the va
rious events Of the war have proved
that in discipline, cool daring and
steadiness under fire, the American
seaman of today leaves nothing to be
desired. In the aftermath Of the
struggle facts are coming to light
that are eloquent in testimony Of the
splendid enthusiasm Of the rank aud
file Of the navy. An officer Of the
Oregon informs us that when il was
seen that the Spanish ships were &C.
tually coming out Of the harbor, the
crew exhibited an almost boyish de.
light as they rushed cheering to their
stations, and the enthusiasm was only
heightened as the storm of Sponish
shells began to fly over the vessel and
lash the water around her Captain
Evane, of the lows, Informs us that
nothing could be finer thar the con-
trast between the almost savage inten-
slty of the men at the guns during
the fight and their womsnly tender
ness in rescuing and nursing the
Spanish wounded and dying after the
surrender. The change of spirit WAS
instant and spontaneous, aud the
work of rescue from the burning ships
full as they were of exploding ammu-
milton, was attended with only less
risk than the running fight Of an hour
before.
The people Of the Uaited States
needed no assurances that the line
and staff Of its navy was thor
oughly efficient, and hence the swift,
we'll conceived, and successfully exc
cuted operations of the war, while
they have excited unbounded enthu-
siasm, have evoked no surprise. AS
showing the forethought, good iudg.
ment, and untiring watchfulness of
the naval officers, we have only to re-
fer to the remarkable trip of the Ore
gon for $1,000 miles, the conclusion
of which found her In such excellent
condition that she was able to under.
go the trying ordeal of forced draft
| for three hours chafe and overhaul
four of the fastest armored cruisers
ahoat. Just mere 1t will be- In place
to mention that when Capt Clark had
received warning that Oervera's fleet
WAS at sea, he called his officers to-
gether and outlined his plan of action
should he happen to fall in with the
enemy. He calculated that the four
cruisers, on account OF foul bottoms
and poor engineering, would have
lost four knots of their speed and
would be good for only sixteen knots
an hour "a prediction by the way that
proved to be remarkably correct) lie
knew that in her superb condition
the Oregon under forced draft was
capable of II knots an hour, and on
sighting the Spanish feet it was his
intention to steam seward at full
speed and string the Spanish line out
in pursuit.
With a slight advantage IN speed
he could choose and maintain his po
sitiou; and if the destroyers advanced
to the attack, he was confident OF
sinking them with his powerful bat
terry of twenty-six and 1-ponnder
rapid fire guns The Oregon wss
then to drop back and take on each
cruiser in succession, and the men at
the s and 13-lnch guns were trusted
to sink them as they drew within
range. So confident were the line
and staff Of the issue that there WAS
considerable disappointment over the
non-appesrsnce Of the enemy as the
cruise drew to a close. The subse-
quent behavior Of the Oregon at San