The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-14

The battle of Santiago, splendid as 1t was
in the honors gained for the American Navy,
has led to an ~extravagant denunciation of
Admiral SCHLEY's superiors in command
by ScHLEY's partisans, which must cause
exhibits a deplorable bitterness of anger
over a victory for which the country
should be unanimously proud. Because the
Navy Department has recommended for
SAMPSON, the chief Of our Atlantic navy
from the beginning to the end Of the war.
larger honors than are designed for
SCHLEY, who, through SIMPSONS acct
dental absence, was the ranking officer
present at the destruction of CERvERA's
fleet, the friends Of SCHLEY have turned
upon SAMPSON with animosity fit for use
against an avowed enemy OF the country.
The two Senators from Maryland. the State
from which ScHLEY happens to come, have
led in the disgraceful assault.
Sneers at SAMPSON as a cowardly or USE
less officer have been more frequent than
the asinine jeers at the American Navy
found in the mugwumpish press at every
minor accident to it from the launching Of
the Texas until the declaration Of the war
against Spain. Here is a revolving specl-
men from the Baltimore American:
with regard to the charge of sAMPsoN's friends
that ScHLEY first ran away at Santiago and then
fought the battle. while the public will characterize 10
rs malicious nonsense. there is this to say: SAMPSON
fought the famous battle OF San Juan. but he ran
away at the wrong end of 1t. He is alleged to have
punched a hole in one OF the forts, though there is
no authentic record Of it. and whom the firing got
uncomfOrtably warm he left for other parts, thus
imposing on his country a moral defeat. the sting of
which has not yet passed away.
SAMPSON and SCHLEY are In other respects essen
TALLY different. SAMPSON is a sort of a BEAU BRUM-
MEL. not In the invidious sense. but in the elegance
of his appearsDce. H is the Snowman of the navy.
always fAultlessly dressed. with his whiskers parted
in the middle. and exceptionally diRnifed in deport-
ment, except when he imagines lie has discovered
something that viii injure ScHLEr. This may have
blinded the department, Now. q dandy may be q
person of real ability. and SAMPsoS 10 undoubtedly
an able and efficient oficer In times OF peace. There
Is nothing to prevent 4 dandy from ~becoming hero.
but as a matter OF fact they seldom are heroes. They
are too much absorbed In themselves. scHLEY
thought more of his country than Of himself at San
tiago. and he was suocessful."
And this nauseating stuff is the Baht-
more Americans final celebration Of the
battle of Santiago!
SAMPSON, as unpretentious, unaffected,
vigilant, careful, devoted and ~resolute an
officer as ever wore an American uniform,
and q blockader who made CERvERA see his
only hope OF escape in an attempt to get
away by the light OF day, called a "BEAU
BRUMMEL and a runaway" in behalf Of
a brother officer!
1t Is with great satisfaction that The SUN,
on the strength Of its observation OF the
American press as a body, can report that
what defence of Admiral SAMPSON has been
deemed advisable by those we will call
his friends" has differed radically from
that employed by the partisans OF SCHLEY
in its general refusal to revile SCHLEY. 1t
has looked upon ScHLEY as an American
officer M Grudged him no honor for his
services during the Spanish war.
The official records OF the Santiago fight,
already published, show that the individual
deserts of any feet commander must rest
upon services performed during the block