The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-28
THE WELCHER OF NxCIREMA.
Even the schlcy Newspapers Call on Him
to Pay His Losses.

10 ray MS LOeboS.
From Ms Savannah Tren Of June 81.
The Sdrdnndh Press has always been on
the side OF Admiral Schley. but in the little
controversy which has Just been completed
between The New YORK Sun and the BaW-
more american in reference to the loop"
OF the Brooklyn at Santiago. we are obliged to
say that The Sun has established its point.
This we state. not that We love THE Sun so
much. but that we love the truth more. The
Press ia still for Admiral Schley. We believe
that the loop" was mistake. and instead OF
turning to get out OF the way Of the Maria
Teresa the Brooklyn should have made for
her. rammed or Rrappled her seized or sunk
her The Brooklyn could have done It, This
was the way that Paul Jones and Admiral
Semmes aud Admiral Dewey would have done.
This Is the kind OF seamanship that has al
ways distinguished the American sailor and
seahghter The Brooklyn was moro than
match for Cevera's flagship. But after the
loop" the conduct OF the Brooklyn was all
right. for 1t was the target OF the whole Span
ish fleet. 1t overlook and sank. one after an
other. the swift armored cruisers Of the Span
ish squadron. ana its best achievement was to
run to the headland and cut Off the last posi-
bity Of escape OF the flying Colon.
SO. as we said before, we are still for Schley
and the Brooklyn; but MS to the Hodgson con-
troversy. we must admit that the facts are on
the side OF THE Sun. week or two ago Gen.
Felix Agnus. publisher ofthe Baltimore Amp,r-
can. who at that time was entertaining Admiral
Schley. announced In his paper that the Schley
Hodgson conversation on the bridge OF the
Brooklyn was q pure fabrication and offered to
give the sum Of $1,000 II The SUN would pro-
duce evidence to prove that the conversation
ever occurred. Lieutenant Commander Hodg-
son, it will be remembered. was navigator OF the
Brooklyn and reported to the naval board last
fall the following dialogue at the opening OF
the battle on board OF Admiral Schey's flag
ship:
Schley-II a. port
HodRson--You mean starboard
schley-No. don't. We enough to them
the Spaniardsl already.
Hodgson-But we will cut down the Texas
Schley-Damn the Texas; let her look cut for her
self
This was the dialogue that Gen. Agnus pro-
nounced base fabrication" Since then
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson has testified
that the conversation did occur substantially
as first reported. and that Mr.. Hodgson in fur
nishing form OF denial intended to deny only
the absolute verbal accuracy OF the coloquy
1t seems that he merely intended to deny the
literal correctness. but not tho substantial
truth. Of the statement. THE Sun claims to
have produced testimony to prove that the
colloquy did take place. and names the Or
thopedic Hospital OF New York as the charity
to which the $4,000 shall be paid The burden
Is upon Gen. Felix Agnus. and all fair-minded
men will agree that he ought to pay the money.
He cannot get out OF it by clubbing The word
OF Lieut. Hodgson is good down in Georgia.
and II he says that the cooQuy took place sub
stantaly as stated In THE BUN we believe that
1t did take place.
Now. Gen. Agnus. put UP or shut up.