New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-07
NAVY OFFICERS REWARDS
SECRETARY LONG URGES ACTION BY
!. CONGRESS.
A PLEA FOR JUSTICE TO THOSE WHO TOOK
PART IN THE DESTRUCTION OF
CERNERA'S FLEET.

Washington, Jan. 6.-Secretary Long has ad-
dressed the following letter to the chairmen of the
Committees on Naval Affairs of the Senate and
he House embodying the Departments latest view
TO the best means of forwarding the officers who
look part in the destruction of Cervera's feet off
Santiago.
Sir: The Department has. the honor to suggest
that the present system Of rewarding Officers OF
spicuous conduct in battle and extraordinary hero
i.5s and Ices of the Revised statutes. has been
found to be unsatisfactory, Since in its practical
Stances defeats the purpose forwhich it @as de-
sised AZ the pssent time some oiefrs who ren,
Spain have. in recognition thereof, been advanced
and while others still. by the cufsous operation
Of the existing system. find themselves in lower
var Of 1888 in which they CALAMITY participated
an OF me obJectona pie operation OF the
Of Captain Charles Z. Clark United States Navy
run Of vessel rom Pac fS to Aane
over him IN s OF aa X ewing to the
ano Dyer for their eminent and conspicuous con-
nimbers-and. if Captain Gridiey had survived
E 10 De three numbers-lower the list than if
ahe k1siianee prudence and capacity unremitting
arise the countless details Of the managemen3 Of
a battleship. establishing and maintaining the
vessel into effective action at critical time are
gusddues wnien eniite an officer to share in re-
vice These qualities exhibited in high degree
who have been rewarded by adTancemen 81 on h IKE
Navy INST They were also exhibited by other Off
GERS. particularly those who conspicuouSly and
nsTtoTlonsly participated in the Battle of Santiago
enc YET nave not III any way been rewarded
where officers have bravey and with yea Ions
PATRIOTISM acquitted Themselves in difficult circum
stsnces with uniform Success an ANALYTICAL coupar-
son OF ther respective achievements is practically
IN POSSIBLE since all the varied circumstances of
the several cases hardly be taken into full and
accurate account IT Is. however deemed to be
outy or the Department bring to the attention
q l tne eommlttee; with the recommendation that
general question OF the inadeQuacy of the present
system OF rewards and TO suggest that a remedy
Is 10 De found IN the provisions OF certain mea stres
now before Congress. One of these O. e. Senate
the advancement in rank of officers of the Navy
sho Marine Corps for war service shall not inter
lere with the regular promotion of officers other
wise eiltltled thereto. This Is similar to
Senate bill 5oS. LVth Congress- third session which
was prepared by the Department, and has | am
informed, already passed the Senate at its present
session, and II enacted into law WILL in the case
soove cited for example have the effect restoring
10 the officers concerned the numbers lost by adj
Nancenents heretofore made. under the present
The other of these is bill b0O5. I.vth Congress
third session. providing for suitable rewards for
of1cers and men of the Navy and Marine CORPS for
exceptional and mertorions service in the line of
DUTY This measure is believed to afford salts
wards would enable the Department to confer unon
the officers above referred to the medal therein
designated as the honor medal" with its attendant
soVantages and benefits, and would, Ii is thought
ofhcerS Of me Navy entitled thereto by reason OF
exceptional service in the line of duty
In eonsfderat ton of the importance of this general
question. the Department urgently requests that Il
as It's convenience viii suggest. Very respectfully
JOHN D. LONG. Secretary.