The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-10-29
SAMPSON AND SANTIAGO.
Wichita. October
To the Editor Of wichita EAGLE;

SAMPSON AND SANTIAGO.
Wichita, october u
To the Editor OF Wichita Eagle:
Admiral Sampson writes a magazine ar
ticle referring to Admiral Dewey and his
deeds the country IS richer in smother
brilliant page OF history and another be-
role figure" ard again. Washington.
Nelson. Farraggt and others OF the hong
list Of men OF heroic deeds. stand Tor a.
piration and noble plans OF lie ana
thought. Every name added is the
worlds gain. ana 20 such a list We add
the name OF Dewey"
Would that our coUntrymen would add
10 this list the author OF these sentiments
and honor themselves IN doing simple
justice 20 Sampson for the glorious naval
victory at Santiago. July 3. ISs> We owe
IL 70 ourselves and 10 our heroes. - study
this campaign from reliable sources. and
70 settle this question regardless OF par
tisan bias
Admiral Sampson Is a typical American.
an done OF the highest products Of o1c
time and CIVILIZATION. Like Lincoln. De
was OF hum &c origin. his father being
wood w,-er. His mother was ambitions
for him. declaring. II want one ~ my
boys who won't carry sawbGck On his
shoulders an OF his ne" lie was recon-
mended for appointment TO the Naval
academy, as the brightest boy O, his
school, from Palmyra. y. y From the
dag when ne graduated with highest hon
ors 20 this. his services have been o. the
highest order. re was twice connected
with the Naval academy as instructor
five years IN aIl-betore ne became its Ell
perintendent In fsS6. His scientific attain
ments were ~ the highest class. lie has
been a member Of the board OF f0rtiaca-
tons and defcnses. and vas delegate -
the United States 10 the international
maritime conference. As chief 81 fhe or
dlnanoe bureau, one Of the most disja-
gulshe6 positions in the gift q the gov
eminent. he directed the expenditure %
more than 10000 per year. lie wac en-
perintendent os the Naval gun factory
and was instrumental 81 building and
arming many n the best ships ~ the
navy. some 0f which he commanded az
Santiago. In 1877 sampson was ardered o.
command the Iowa. and early IN lse vas
assigned IN the command q the North
Atlantic squadron. No one Vas more sur
prised az THE than sampson himself bur
& was the unanimous wish ~ th+ cap
tains 81 the squadron.
Undoubtedly greater issuss depended up-
on the destruction of Cervera's feet 20
Santiago than that Of Sonte}os at Man
la Had Cervera been able 20 cripple ~
destroy the North Atlantic squadron AZ
Santiago. he could have prsysd upon our
troop transports. cur merchant marine,
have spread Consideration N orr coast
citiae. and for the time checked our var
for the Liberation Or cuba Happily for
our country. he gained no victory. and
MS fleet. composed % me bss; ~ an he
SPANISH ships. was destroyed ola rll-
diers well know that battles are often
won before a gun f. fred won vaen fsrfl-
acatlons are butt and az-lznmsuts and
orders for battle are made. Admiral
Dewey. IN referring q the victory ~
Manila. has repeatedly said This battle
was won AZ Hong Kong hsraor.r and me
same has been reiterated - his captains.
The orders f3r the battle at.eantisg1 we're
issued before the hzhsiuV began. ard
were Vsu Understood ~ an the offers
a. IRE feet An order bearing urcn tte
fortunes ~ The aay vas issue3 Hy aHy
flagship officer after the enemy sAips
came o8t.
Prior 10 sanpson's arrival A. ssn.iaTo
our vessels retired from the coast d.
tarca % = miles az afRbt and gre 6y
service wss rnaintai-e8 - p distance r.
er miles He changed this g. p semi
circular formation ~ the flarsadt-e sf-
seIs four miles distant from cease H7 dag
and three ri'ca ~ r'sh. ard Dr. -''F-e5