The San Francisco call., 1899-11-04

7 HERE is an inharmonious note In the otnc1aI
report of Admiral Crowninshield, chief OF the
Bureau of Navigation in the Navy Depart
ment.
1t makes bitter complaint, amounting to an issue
against Congress- OF failure to officially honor officers
of the navy 1t has been known for year that there
were bitter heartburnngs and uncompromisng
jealousies between naval officers. 1t has been more
than suspected that the unstinted official and popular
honors paid to Dewey have made more than
heart ache. The contention between the champions
OF Sampson and Schley has gained strength, and
to-day is than ever.
Admiral Crownnshield says: ''Of the officers who
served in the North Atlantic waters three have been
confirmed in the recognition urged by the depart
ment-two because their presented at pro-
ptous moments the other because OF a misapprehen-
sion" This language will raise another series OF is
sues Does the admiral mean that two officers were
recognized, not because Of merit and achievement,
but because Of the favorable time chosen to present
their cases, when enthusiastic patriotism sought
outlet by honoring somebody, and that the third
case was mistake OF the department in mispacing
its appreciation? On the general subject the admiral
says Another condition of affairs discouraging to
proud and ambitious officers who rsked and ac-
complished much is the ragged and irregular result
that seems the inevitable consequence of any effort TO
give permanent or substantial recognition to bravery
or gallantry or DEVOTION AS Congress Is the voice
Of the country in expressing such recognition, this
is severe rebuke TO that body. It Is, in effect ac-
cused of that ingrattude which Is proverbial at
tribute Of republics He says that every effort of the
department to redeem its solemn pledge of recogni-
ton has been baked.
1t is to be regretted that such an indictment of
Congress has been made public It does not give the
country good appearance before the world. The
navy did its whole duty in the Spanish war No
navy of any other country ever so distinguished it
self in short a time At the beginning of the war
the opinion Of European naval experts was that we
were outclassed the water by Spain. That opinion
was rather widely shared at home The country was
indeed prepared for disaster in the first marine en-
counters Millions Of our people never saw the sea-
Being inanders all they knew OF the navy was
through inland press, which knew the navy rather
as sentiment than as a force to be reckoned with
majority of Congress represents non-raritime dis
trcts and is charged with the promotion OF interests
which dimly recognize any relation to deep water
In this situation members OF Congress defend them
selves by pointing to what they call navy politics )"
When the department recommendations went to Con-
gress is alleged that partsans OF the different Off
appeared in the lobby, and that open attempts
were made by the advocates Of one officer to pull
another officer down. The native States of the Off
GERS concerned took part in the fight and It Is said
that most unseemly condition developed for which
Congress was not at all responsible Pride and am
bition infuriated the contending forces and those
sentiments have yet appeared among men with
out causing trouble.
Then. again, the army had achieved somewhat and
Its position had to be considered Immediately there
appeared another vexatious manifestation OF human
nature which naval education and discipline had not
eradcated. From the navy issued criticisms of the
army and belittling comments on its officers This
did not by any tend to placate the situation.
The navy seemed to It's own achievements to be
recommended for recognition but their mutually hos
tile camps were united In sneering policy toward
the army.
It Is not to be wondered that In such situation
of seething personal and professional rivalres Con-
gress may have blundered in its action or. In
weariness of It ALL may have put off action altogether
TO more convenient and calmer season
The policy of crtcizing the civil branches of the
Government by either army or navy officers should
not be encouraged Civil government represents the
people who bear the burdens of large military and
naval establishment In civil life the people sustain
the sources Of national greatness with patience and
industry and do not to Congress for recogn-
tion of the sacrifices they make, though these are
often great.
1t will be better for the service and the country to
have less appearance of rivalry and jealousy, for then
will there be less occasion to attack Congress-