The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-23

noDasox AND THE -srs.-

The chief result Of the recent violent
outbreak OF the tiresome and never-fo-
be-seftIed Sampson Hchley controversy
II to place . gentleman wearing the
uniform Of the United States navy
Lieut.. Commander Hodsson. u. 8. $.
Brooklyn--in a most humIliating atti-
tude. AT Santiago Hodgson was execa-
tive oAicsr OF the Brooklyn. Commodore
schley's flagship. He later furnished
to the New York Sun. bitter partisan
of Admiral Sampson. the following re-
port of a remarkable coiioquy between
himself and 6chley. said to have oc-
CURED early in the engagement with
the Spanish fleet:
echiey- Hard apors.
Hodgaon-You mean starboard.
echley-No. I don't. We are near enough
20 them tthc 6pan!ards} already.
Hodgson--BM We will cut down the
Texas.
schiey-Damn the Texas. Let her look
out for herself.
This sudden maneuver on the part Of
the Brooklyn compelled the Texas to
reverse her engines in the midst OF her
pursuit Of the Spanish feet. The Sun
repeatedly called on Admiral schley for
an explanation OF his extraordinary ex-
prsssions and directed attention 70 the
alleged fact that the unskilifnI and err
ratio handling Of the Brooklyn came
near being fatal to the adjacent battle
ship. Schley was silent. but evidently
demanded OF Hodgson that he be vim
Dictated. The lieutenant commander
gave out the following letter. complete
ly traversinE his former statement:
'Navy Yard. y. Y. June H. 1859.
Dear Admiral 6ehley. The coiloquy pub
iished In the New York Sun and alleged 10
have taken pace between you and me on
the day Of the battle off Santiago. July g.
ISIS. never occurred Very respectfully.
A. e. HuDGSoN.
Lieutenant Commander. U. 3. N"
The Sehley advocates properly regard
ej this letter as bomhshell In the
Sampson camp. but the incident was
not To close with the explosion. The
navy department took hand Hodg-
son WAS asked to explain. He aflrmcd
that the original report Of his dialogue
with Schley was substantially correct.
and that his denial was denial Of the
literal correctness and not the substan-
tial correctness Of the statement
weak and ineffective attempt 10 squeeze
cut of a tight hole. Lieut. Healncr. navi-
eating officer OF the Texas. reported
that Hodasan had several times repeat
ed to him the ceiioauy as II was printed
In the Sun.
II thus appears that the case against
Lieut. Commander Hodgson. who has
convicted himself of p.tishle eaaivoca.
tion. IL not actual falsehood. He IL 10
some extent supported by the record of
the battle. which Is that the Brookiy n
did turn 10 port and crossed the
course Of the Texas. and would have
collided with her II Lieut.. Commander
Heslner had not discovered the immi.
nent danger OF collision and caused re-
versal Of her engines
IL Is fact that there has recently
been radical change 80 public opinion.
In faseF OK Admiral sampson Expert
naval Judgment has always supported
his claims fnv credit for successful con.
duet of the Santiago campaign and It's
glorious elimination. Isuf Ssmpssn
can never b. elevated 20 the same lofty
plane with Dewey. He might haze
heen ~ the Spanish feet had turnes.
east instead of west
The Hcdgson-San episode has shed ~.
tie or no light en- the great haiti. q.
the admirals II has hot tended "a al
ieSiste It's bitterness ar soften its acrs
rcns Ent II has taught that lie
We'll stuck 10. as well as shs truth con.
sistentsy maintained. is lrfsnitely raarv
desirable and even admirable. than a
hiow-hct eiow~caia policy % paite-tne
with the facts,