The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-09
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WRITES A LETTER
HE CALLS THE CRITICS CRUEL
Saws the Admiral Has Never Pushed
Himself Forward or Denied Credit
Where It Was Deserved
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, August S.-The Secre-
tary of the navy has received several let
tiers violently attacking Admiral Sampson.
To at least one of these Secretary Long has
replied and a copy of his reply was fur
nished for publication tonight. 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 since his appoint
menr to the command of the north Atlantic
squadron. The secretary states that Samp-
son was selected for the command because
1t was believed ne was specially fitted for
the place.
He never pushes himself forward" says
the secretary to the admiral's critic, and
when you accuse him of anything of that
sort you do most crueN injustice to a man
who has never sought favor or applause in
any other way than by the simple dis
charge of his duty"
Discussing, evidently, complaint be-
cause the fleet did not capture the harbor
of Porto Rico, Secretary Long says:
1.-The department which has very rarely
interfered with the movements of admiras
commanding squadrons did. however,
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"
He Obeyed Orders
This order, he adds. was made while the
strong Spanish feet was in existence and
the movement to Porto Rico was to meet,
If 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 har-
Dor of Santiago, the secretary states that
Adniral Sampson was acting under ex-
plicit orders not to expose his armored
ships to the risks 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 elaborate
instructions which the admiral had given
for the attack upon the Spanish fleet
should II appear. and he adds that the bat
tie with Cervera was fought under these
orders and that the victory was the con-
summation of the admirars thorough
preparations.
All Deserved Credit
Secretary Long says 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 OF them
richly deserves credit for his GLORIOUS
work." but he says he cannot under
stand why such bitter feeling is mani
tested in many quarters toward 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
Was hington, going to confer with General
Shafter, yet the battle was fought under
his orders and were the contamination of
such thorough preparation"
A Cruel Charge
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 block |
ing the Spanish squadron; at last, by the |
unerring fulfliment of hts plans, crush |
ing it under the fleet that executed his |
command; YET now compelled in dignified |
silence to be assatled as vindictively as if |
he were an enemy to his country am |
sure that no cine more deprecates such an
attack than the officers Of the f1eet-com-f
nodore, captains and,ail."