The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-05-02

SOME WAR TRUTHS.
The smoke OF the Spanish war appears
10 have cleared away sufficiently 10 AZ
low some of the soberer truths of Its
history TO take form. The war depart
ment's administration OK AFFAIRS Ii still
much nruddlea over the beef inquiry.
but literature Of value LIS Forthcoming
with reference 10 the navy, and out Of II
we are being enabled To arrive AT some
important Judgments
Not the least Of these concerns the
old question: WAS Il sampson or was
Il SehieyT'
From recent volume By W. a. n.
Goode. the Associated Press correspond
ent ON the f,agshsp New York through
out the war, II Is learned that Sampson
MAS not promoted through fayoritism
or through any efforts Of his own 10 Sc
cure advancement says Mr., Goode:
.ssampson was scarcely known outside
the service. Strong political and other In
fueneea were brought TO bear In behalf
OF acme of his seniors. There was ahso-
hlteiy no pressure brought 70 bear In his
behalf. In Washington sampson had few
friends. Secretary Long practically knew
nothing Of his personality. Before
bending TO political pressure AMI before
following the usual course Of giving high
rank It's rights, Secretary Long made In
qutri.s smong practical men: sampson
senIers and Juniors III the service. He as
csr,ained that they haf impliels confidence
In Sampson as man o. ability. integrity
and sound Judgment. This opinion they
had gained by Intimate association and by
knowledge OF detail. Trusting Ia the com.
mon sense 81 the best nea of the navy
rather than TO ,ne rules OF rank and to tho
voice Of ,aflaence. Secretary I.ong decided
10 put Sampson in charge Of the aggressive
naval eampassn"
From the same hook II is learned
that Capt. Chadwick, of the New York.
said:
The appointment came 70 him tsamr,
seni unsnushs ANA absolutely unexpected
iy. and. the most modest. least se,f-seak-
ms and the most single minded Of snea. he
could not quite comprehend. the falling 10
himself Of ibis great responsibility.
sampson appears. by Mr. Goodies tss
fsnneny. 10 have recommended - tina
department. an Immediate t,os,shar,lmsnt
OF Havana at the outset OF the war an 1
Ia have continuously urged il uuss
driven away from IL IA hunt far the
fleet Of Cefvefp. Ills foresight In con.
GLIDING that cerveFa would So either e
Santiago or cienfuyesss is atss mention
csi ny Mr.. Goosie. az Is the uniform
asnsiIiness ~ hiS disposition tawar1
sehles." as manifested sa has unwilling
nrsS In s,ilsereede hizs IN eognaaand whns
Il was thought thas the tlsins squadron
would encounter the first hasslslsles 81
he war
MIR Goodies disclosures Ao no. asssr
mine the answer To tire eensrnverxs
with reference &c the destruction 4 IN,
Spanish s'ees. bat shes De serve T. pa
Sampson In a more fassst fable pers.,s, a
iIsht than he has been placed IN 81.
general rsisiie rsist Instead IT arpear
ms as "a crafty. selnsa sna seSiTnlsa.
officer making the hexs ~ a sersunst.
temporary elevation she admiral, be-
comes & msiest, conscientious sksigs
and generous conmandant. willing {
give others sasir doe and unwilling 4
assume False E,rlvgfsges FOR himself.
In view II thss attsrs;lca ~ yssyulal
Impressions. a series ~ articles IN ~.
May Century ny The several caasatns o
Tire vessels ENGAGED before Santiago !,
Noteworthy whi'e none ~ the sssssssr,
explicitly refer 10 sae eentruvs ~ as |.
shs erxssss fas sbe victory, there Ia AZ
uneSrreSssa dafeTsnse to sampson ~
the eoEanssHssr-sn-chs wAseh wealt
be missing we're the eonamAnaer~ln-eAsei