The Portland daily press., 1900-01-03
SHOULD BE REWARDED.
Men who sunk cerver.'s Fleet al
Santiago.

Washington, January 2.-The Presldent
warding the naval ofIiosrs who partiei-
patsd In the dsstr ruotlen Of Csrvsra's fiset
of Santiago and his lnal conclusions
will be embodied shortly In rsoommsnda-
tions to Congress either in the form Of .
renewal Of the Advancement Of Rear Au-
miral sampson and the officers under
him BY numbers, with perhaps some
modifiostions--th scheme which the SEN
ate refused 10 rstify last springer ac-
cording TO some other method. The SEQ
reiary OF the Navy In his report recon-
mended as an alternative proposition leg
islation on the line Of the bill introduced
last spring (Sensts bill 600o) which pro-
vidcs for three olasses Of medals-one for
conspicuous oonducs In war, one fer ex-
traordinary heroism and one for general
m~ritorious service, the first 10 carry
with 10 per oentage Of increase Of pay.
based upon the rank Of ths recipient ana
calculated 90 take the place of the In
motion were that form OF raward given.
Either method would contemplate In
addition ths thanks OF Congress to the
oommander-in-cnief Of the North Attain
tic squadron and the officers and men
under his command. There also has been
eu&gostlon OF orshtln8 tne 8rouo VI vioo
admiral for the benefit Of Rear Admirais
sampson and Sohlsy. As result OF the
Sam pson -Sohley con troversy. the reward
Of all the subordinate officers In the
North Atlantic squadron has been
blocked up TO this time and IL is the
urgent desire Of both the President ard
Secretary Long that Justice be done TO
them ard that they obtain the rewards
which they have earned.
Preliminary to the Presidents decision
upon his course OF action. thei President
and Secretary Long today had consuita.
tlon with eight Of the Santiago captains
~ ths White House The naval ofiioers
were; Chad wick Of the New York; Cook
Of the Brooklyn; Clark Of the Oregon,
Philip, (now rear admiral) Of the Texas /;
Evans Of the Iowa; HiRainson (now rear
admirsl) of the Massachusetts,; folger OF
the New Orleans and Lieut.. Commander
Vain wright Of the Gloucester.
Rear Admiral Sampson was not
present. These commanding officers were
especially invited BY the President who
desired to hear from their own lips the
story of the battle Of Santiago, the gener.
nj movements and difficulties Of the CAM
paign, Including the cruise Of the Flying
Squadron In ssaroh of Cervera'a fleet and
their own ideas as to the method Of con-
fsrring the rewards For almost two
hours the captains talked with the Presi-
dent, who manifested keen interest In
their personal accounts OF the stirring
events of the south coast Of Cuba. Some
OF the euntrevefted questions were zone
into - length. The oonosnsus Of epinion
Of the naval officers as developed at the
conference, seemed to favor the method
OF reward recommended by Secretary
Long-the comforting Of medals which
would Garry with them . percentage Of
increase Of pay In lieu Of advancement by
n um bers. This would compensate for ao-
tual promotion both by giving increased
pay and BY giving TO the recipients dis
tinction which would mark them for
future servics. At the same time In some
| cases It would work hardship; AZ. for In
Despite his heroic service in bringing the
lous style and the gallant service Of ths
Clark today is two numbers below his
position at the opening OF this war. This
10 due to the advancement uf the Manila
captains whose promotions were con-
firmsd BY the Senate. CAPTAIN CLARK, ct
the conference today, however, was will
ing that Secretary Longs plan should be
adopted In order that justice might be
done tn the others.
The President, shortly after the recon-
veninR of Congress tomorrow, will trans
init his recon lamentations. 1t is not I'M
probable that In doing so he win accom-
pany them with = special message calling
attention to the grave injustice done to
the com maudsr- In chief, officers and men
of the North Atlantic squadron in 90
long Withholding from them the rewards
to which their gallant service entities
them.