The evening times., 1900-06-13
SANTIAGO PRIZE MONEY
The Court of Claims Decides liz
SampsOH's Favor.
His Award Is ss,335, While schIey
Gets Only $3,OOO-SavaI Oaicers
Wonder IL the MatRnzas Mule Was
Worth the Difference - Judicial
Settlement of the Controversy.

According to the Court of Claims Samp-
son was IN command at Santiago when Ger
vera's feet was destroyed and Schley was
there very much as subordinate So much
more had Sampson to do with the anni-
hilation of the Spanish squadron than had
ScLley, also according TO the Court of
Claims that Sampson is entitled to IS. 1886
Of prize money, while Schley gets only
$1,000
Naval officers do not. as a rule, think
that the Matanzas mule was worth the
difference
Rear Admiral W. T Sampson, United
States Navy. was commander in-chief CT
the said United States naval forces, or
feet. and Commodore w. 6. Sehley, United
States Navy. was the commanding officer
OF q division or squadron thereof on duty
under the orders OF said commander-in
chief"
In these words the Court Of Claims has
judicially determined the famous Sampson
Schley controversy. They are set forth as
a finding Of fact in the decision Of tks
court on the claims of Rear Admiral Samp-
son and the mex under his command 10
bounty for the destruction OF the Spanish
squadron under the command of Admiral
CerverS. The Spanish squadron is found
TO have been inferior 10 the American
force, ard a bounty OF 500 has therefore
been awarded for every officer and man
under Admiral Cervera's command. The
total amount of bounty money allowed is
fixed at $780, 200, Of which amount Rear
Admiral Sampson will receive IS 1856 and
Admiral Schley about 50 .O00
Besides finding that during the battle
Admiral Sampson wes In command and
Commodore Schley was on duty under his
orders. the court specifically declares that
the New York was among the vessels en-
gEged. This is the declaration of the
court described as the second finding OF
fact" upon which Admiral Simpsons
friends place particular stress and which.
they say, finally disposes Of the claims ad-
v2nced by Admiral Schley's friends that
the New York was not in the battle and
that the squadron engaged was solely IN
der the command OF Admiral Schley.
In addition to the New York Brooklyn.
Oregon. Iowa. Indiana, Texas. Gloucester,
Vixen, Hist and Ericsson. the court finds
that the Harvard Resolute and Fern,
armed vessels under control Of the Navy
formed part of the feet under Rear Ad-
miral Sampson. and are entitled 10 part OF
the bounty claimed.
Neither of these vessels" the decision
continues. was engaged in the destruction
Of the vessels of the enemy aforesaid. but
they were within signal distance Of the
American feet. or to the flagship New
York. that did participate in said destruc-
tion. under such circumstances and in such
condition as 10 be able 10 render effective
aid if they or either OF them had been re-
quired 10 DO so.
The degree OF such aid is not material"
he decision says. "and question is met by
the decision of the SliDrev1a Cov,rt in the
case Of the ironelad Atlanta. As there
stated, our duty is simply 10 announce and
apply the law, and there our power ends
Such We have endeavored briefly 70 do. and
the result is that the officers and men Of
the United States steamers Harvard Res
Olute. and Fern are entitled TO share in
the bounty for the destruction of the
Spanish vessels"
The ,ourt refers 20 the recent ruling
made l. the case Of Admiral Dewey. af-
frmeu by the Supreme Court 10 the effect
that the land batteries and torpedoes were
not 10 be reckOned in determining the force
of the Spanish vessels DESTROYED in the na-
val engagement IN Manila Bay, and finds
that the Spanish vessels OF war which
took part in the said engagement. exclud-
ing the land batteries aforesaid. consti
tuted force inferior TO that OF the said
United States.'
Tn dec-s on conc,udes: "Pues esuant 20 the
prov isions Of the statutes stated judgment
will be rendered in favor OF the Claimant.
William T. Sampson. for his proportion
(one-twentieth) Of the bounty accruinZ
from the destruction OF the Spanish YES
sells in the sum of 1885. T. is ordered
that the residue be herein found. TO wit.
$15S.365 be appOrtioned among the remain
ing officers and enlisted mer Of the ves-
sells claiming"