The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-25
WHO SANK THE sPANIsHs

tESstys the Controversy litn.- DS tAAtfAc1
to the following Incident:
A man who has been hunting drives
q fox TO q hole firing OK watching FOR
the creature 10 reappear, he hires boy
TO remain on guard During the mans
absence the fox tries to get out and the
boy kills him. Who Is to have the
credit for the death OF the fox-the bcy
who put him to death or the man who
drove him into the hole and instructed
the boy to kill him?
Mr. Schiey was In command when
the Ceryera feet was destroyed. Mr.
Sampson had planned the general ac-
ton. What was done with such re-
nsarkabie energy and swiftness was
done upon a previous understanding,
which was 30 clear that the signals OF
the officer In command were scarcely
necessary. nor. does 1t appear from off,
cial reports. were they displayed to any
considerable extent On the other hand,
the manner Of Cervera's attempt to es-
cape was not a matter which could Be
determined In advance To meet IL
properly required the Judgment Of the
commanding officer for the particular
emergency. sehley was the command
ing officer.
Dispatches. published by permission
OF the navy department, whether for
partisan reasons or not, have made II
appear that SchIey failed TO establish
a successful blockade Of Santiago ana
insisted upon remaining al Cienfuegos.
notwithstanding advices from Samp-
son urging him to move on to Santiago.
The news adsices at the time. however,
which have since been corroboratei by
Schiey's official reports. represented
that schiey was in position before San
tiago the night preceding the arrival
Of Sampson. Many people then felt
that II was unfortunate that Schiey
should have 10 be superseded by Samp-
son. even though Sampson was supe-
rior TO him In command. The spirit OF
American fairness seemed 10 think 1t
chance TO show what he could do. No
one doubted the result
Schiey had been SIMPSONS ranking
superior, being a commodore. while
Sampson was still a captain. He had
been selected TO command the flying
squadron. whose particular purpose
was ia seek out and destroy the Span
ssh feet, because Of hts reputation as
brilliant fighting officer. When Admir-
al Sicara was relieved on account Of
sickness. Sehley was still retained in
the post Intended for him. and Sanp-
son. whose known mastery OF thu
science Of naval warfare commended
him 10 the department. was appointed
acting admiral in Sicard's place. There
appears 10 have been ne Intention in
this Tn slight sChley. He was iett in
the important post Cor which be had
been especially selected. II IS stated.
howeveT. that the naval law .orbias
such an elevation as was accorded II
Sampson. which resulted in giving
him command over those to whom he
VAS technically subordinate Unless
the peculiar circumstances excuse the
violation 81 the law. an Injustice was
really done here To Watson. Howen.
Remey, McNair ard other coualodores.
as has been claimed ia congress.
Bat Sampson having been made the
commander ~ the North Atlantic f9eet.
there was 10 alternative FOR him hst %
avt upon ihs command. ana to super
seie schiey and issue ordevs to sehley
when ;Ae situation wsth reference IN
CeTsesA's feet Aararne sach thai the
department. thought that greater
fcrce th&n the flying squadron vas re
qaltea to rect IL VITA the command
a@voivc4 tie responsibility. ard foF
this F~sSon the enaeavor ct Sampson ~
reGgjre Schiey 20 ohey his orders Z. re-
CARA 20 leaving Csenfaeeos anf = mp
san's haste ~ ssg ;ut0 she action - fore
Santiago ga July : ard - be IN com
mAn4 81 that critical time are probably
rex ~ he aiSArpvosy~3
Yet there S. netting - Show thai
sssrspsos ta4sk any active par. n sae
destruction ~ cervsra's ffees ur,1l .tter
schlsy saa his fellow officers Aaa yse
fsses practically ~ yhesr rsercs. he
Sar1les< - whether ire ssssan was -
gUa hy orders trofn Seh2ey ~ wns.:ss..-
j iAs Oregon 80 she IewA "a lAe Texas