The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-24

Tive independent Eastern news
papers speak Up for Schfey.

Philadelphia Times {lS1-fr e1T@ARS -
Admiral 81 hley has thus far been COM
p@llesa 20 silence because has Santiago
earapasgrs wgs criticised by official Jriso-
erao from ambush He is a csiva1rnus
naval officer. Incapable - even TIE semi
, bt&nee of DIFFERENTIATION. ard he could
make 30 answer 70 ihe malicious anu
subtle assaults which were filtered oat 10
he public from time time from official
sources.
Al last Admiral Schiey has his enemies
IL the open. as Secretary Long has, after
a delay OF three weeks, answered the
resolution 81 the senate calling for the
facts and the records IN the possession or
the department relating to Sampson and
Schiey The naked facts as given II this
answer IL the secretary are doubtless cor
recEiy presented. but the deductions made
from them by the secretary Will certainly
provoke earnest dispute ALIKE in the sen
ate ard throughout the country.
Admiral Sch!ey Is now publicly accused
Of dfsohedience Of orders ar Santiago in
ordering his feet IL Kew West. and he
now has the opportunity TO give his an
swer 10 the public. If he disobeyed the
orders Of the government when Ii was
possible 10 obey them. or II he by neglect
Of duty opened the way for the escape OF
Ceryeras feet from Santiago harhor. he
deserves the censure Of the government:
ard II he handled his vessel unwiseiy IN
the naval action a: Santiago. as he is now
formally accused by the secretary, he
aouid not merit the universal homage
paid him by the American people. These
accuse tlons are now made in open day,
and the public will await with anxiety the
answer Of the naval officer who Is charged
with ineompetency or neglect of duty only
after he had fought one Of the most bril-
liant naval battles OF the world
The position Of Secretary Long in deny
ing Admiral Schley full honors for the
battle OF Santiago because he disobeyed
orders and made the escape of the Span
ism fleet possible month before the bat
tie is a direct accusation against both the
president and the secretary for falling Ia
perform their duty in the most important
crisis Of the war Ii Admiral Schley was
guilty. of willfQl disobedience OF orders
or Of failure 10 blockade the Spanish fleet
he should have been dismissed from his
command without moments hesitation
and the fact that he was not thus dis
missed at the mos. crucial period Of the
Santiago campaign Will be accepted as
conclusive evidence that the present ae-
cuSatonS against him are measUTabiy or
wholly afterthoughss to serve a most d s.
creflitabIe purpose.
These accusations against Schiey were
unheard Of until Admiral Sampson left
Sehley 70 fight the Spanish squadron with
three of the most important vessels OF the
every Spanish vessel. The signal for this
attsmp, 20 strip Schiey Of the iaureis OF
his victory came from Admiral Sampson
when he telegraphed the bonbastic bulie-
tin 10 the government that the feet ''un-
der my command had achieved the vic
tory, without referring 10 his own alb
sence or 10 his next officer in command
who had not only been IN the fight. but
had issued every command from start To
most important fact from his official state
ment when be neglacts. 10 inform the SEN
re that Admiral Sampson. when leaving
MS feet on the morning Of the battle s.g-
naied 10 disregard orders Of comma der-
n-chief, which was notice 20 al that Com
rnodore Schiey WAS IN command and must
oe responsible instead or him
The assumption Of Secretary Long that
the battle was fought In obedience 10 the
orders Of Admiral Sampson is an aaron;
- the Intelligence ~ the American people
~ course, Admiral Sampson had given
general orders that x The feet Of the
enemy appeared 10 advance and attack L.
hat how IL should be attacked and how
he Geeg should he directed In q battle
depended wholly on the movements Of the
pemy coming into action and specific or
3ers could be given only By the commander
Hho could see the position or each vessel
Z 6osh fleets,
TIE country well knows that Admiral
tanpsoo had Do'hng whatever % do wilt
he actual battle AZ Santiago; that he
ransferre1 the command - Commodore
aehley when hs left tbs fleet. that Ne
ever VAS within signaling distance e
vessel acfua,iy engaged IN the action.
ehlle Admiral SchleT AXIS nearest u the
merry waen ne Snaaisa vessels came out.
,gas neavest . ;Heu AZ every stage q the
att.ae gas nearest - re (Feiun and Gre8