The times., 1899-02-22
WHY SIMPSONS LETTER
Was NOT PUBLISHED
Department officials Declare
They Never Saw 1t.
Schiey Acted Under Orders When
He Remained at Cienfuegos.
His Superior Officer Could Have Set
tied the Controversy Hnd
He Wished To.

tanned criticisms of the conduct Of the
admiral while he was in command of the
Flying Squadron, has resulted in the opin-
ion of naval officers in his complete vim
dicatior. Subsequent developments appar-
emily suggest that the suppression of the
dispatch which would have shown con-
clusively why Admiral Schley remained at
Cienfucgos, was the work of Admiral
Sampson.
This dispatch. or letter, written by
Sampson on May 20 and was received by
Admiral Schley. while the latter was block
aiding Cienfuegos. on May %. 1t was not
included in the appendix to the report of
CAPTAIN Crowninshield. Chief of the Bureau
of Navigation. which Sas supposed TO nave
contained all the official dispatches OF
naval commanders during the war of
which the department was cognizant. The
reason it was not published was that 1T
was never seen or heard of by Captain
Crowninshicld, according TO that gentle
man, until its publication yesterday MORN
ing.
The letter was, in effect, an order ior
Admiral Schley 10 continue the blockade
of Cienfuegos until il became apparent that
the vessels were in Santiago. There was
no reason why it should have been com
municated TO the department by Admiral
Schley, who was acting in obedience 10
the orders il contained.
That it was not communicated to the de-
partment by Admiral Sampson, however
when it became OF vital Importance in the
refutation of charges which had been made
against the commander of the Flying
SQUADRON. who was then winning tn heart
felt praises OF the American people Tor
his brilliant achievement oil Santiago, is
regarded as a very suggestive circum-
stance.
Th:. EsEspa.cI, Suppressed.
/ CAPTAIN Crowninshield was asked last
night by a Times reporter why the dispatch
which admiral schiey referred to had been
omitted from the appendix TO his report.
Because nothing was known OF ii, he
renlied Il did not know that such dis
patch had ever been sent until saw II
referred TO in the newspapers this morn
ing. All of the dispatches oi which the de-
Dartment was cognizant were published IN
the appendix. Ii that order had been com
municated to the department and had
reached me it would have been included
with the rest.
The department is not even yet aware
of all the correspondence which passed
between Sampson and Schley. That cor
( respondence has been sent TO the depart
ment. within the last two weeks, by Ad-
I miral Schley, in box, and the box mas
! not been opened
Captain Crowninshield would not venture
! to say whether in his opinion the existence
I of such an order would change the status OF
Admiral Schley before the Navy Depart
ment so far as the present controversy IS
concerned He declared that the state
( ments of Senators and others who wished
TO make il appear that he had hypnotlzei
the Secretary of the Navy, ana was at the
head of ring formed for the purpose Of
| compassing the downfall of Admiral
Schley, were absurd. He had no personal
! interest in the controversy and the Secre-
tary of the Navy was not a man 10 be so
readily hypnotized.
He said that he had nothing TO do.
either, with preparing the report called
for by the Senate Committee when the
promotions of the two admirals were dis
cussed in executive session. The reports
were compiled by board selected by the
Secretary OF the Navy, one of the members
| of which was a lieutenant on the staff OF
Admiral Schley, and he could not see how
any unfairness could be imputed TO them.
samrson's Peculiar Conduct.
Captain Crowinshield's statement makes
it apparent that Admiral Sampson failed
10 communicate to the Navy Department
his own order to Admiral Schley under
which the latter vas acting when he re
mained off Cienfuegos. That order would
have efectualIy cleared up the action of
Admiral Schley for which he was after
ward criticised by Admiral Sampson.
The reply of Admiral Schley was the
T principal topic of conversation in officia
circles yesterday and the prevailing com
ment was favorable TO him. II is not be-
iieyed by any that Secretary Long i:
party TO any effort to promote Sampson al
the expense OF Schley CT that the head OF
the Navy Department would deliberately
oppress a gallant officer.
s.,rs
Long, in the absence of documents which
would have thrown a different light OF
the course pursued by Admiral SChley
2 has been misled and has acted on the adj
2 vice Of those whose personal interest
5 would lead them TO attempt to rob TN
. real hero of the naval battle of Santiago o
J. the laurols which his own hard fghtin
s won.
70 There were many public men who wer
j not at all averse to giving expression L
their very decided opinions concerning III
merits Of the case. Senator Wellington ha
all along been pronounced in his decara
n tions that a ring exists in the Navy De
partment, the purpose of which is to ele
. / vate Sampson at the expense OF Schley
Senator German has aided him in his fig
. 10 secure just distribution Of official re
: ward for the achievements of the navy. an
= others who believe that Schley deserve
e credit for the victory are numerous.
= Hnnors to the Fighter.
: Senator Bate of Tennessee said last night
L I have not gone over the evidence i
= carefully as | should like to before givin
r expression TO an opinion concerning tn
5. merits Of the controversy. Personally. how
Il ever, my sympathies are with Admira
e Schley. | am always in favor of the ma
. who does the lighting, and there is n
e doubt that Sehley did it at Santiago"
2. Senator Tillman said: Il cannot te
= what action the Senate will take i'm thj
matter, but ! feel sure that this is bu
the beginning of an investigation whic
will disclose the real state of affair
There is no doubt in my mind howeye
that despite any action the President an
the Senate may take, nothing can alter th
conviction, in the heart of every America
citizen. that Schley Is deserving of as muc
honor as Sampson and no promotion col
ferred upon Sampson will ever place Schle
second in the minds OF his countrymen
No action of the Navy Department
concocted reports by the friends of Sam
son can change the facts that Schley ";
in Immediate command of the fleet at n
time of he battle; that his vessel took II
brunt Of the fighting; that he handled Il
. Brooklyn with great skill, and to the vel
r best advantage.
70 The mysterious action of the Navy ID
10 partment in endeavoring to rush SampsC
n ahead is at least peculiar. Were II n
Id for the undOubted integrity and homes
Of Secretary Long there would be nothiI
Id strange in the Departments action, b
ST Secretary Long is too honorable and col
l. scientious man 10 allow the friends
Sampson 10 falsfy the reports sent to Il
Senate. There is certainly desire on Il
part Of some one TO rob Schley of Il
honors of the Santiago naval campaig