The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-05

Washington, january 2-The presi-
dent has again taken up the question
Of r~ewarding the naval officers who
participated in the destruction Of Ceve-
ra's fleet of Santiago and his final con-
illusions will be embodied shortly in
recommendations TO congress, either in
the form OF a renewal OF the advance
ment of Rear Admiral Sampson and
the officers under HIM by numbers, with
| perhaps some modifications-the scheme
which the senate refused to raufy last
springer according 20 some other
method.
The secretary of the navy in his re-
port recommended as an alternative
proposition legislation on the line Of
the bill introduced last spring, which
provides Cor three classes of medals
one for conspicuous conduct in war.
one for extraordinary heroism and one
Tor genera mierttoriouS service-the
first TO carry with il a percentage Of
increase OF "a based upon the rank
of h recipient and calculated to take
the place OF the increase which would
be the re~ult of promotion were that
the form or reward continued
Either method would contemplate in
addition the hanks of congress to the
commander-in-chief of the North At
lantic squadron and the officers and
men under his command, as they were
given to the commander-in-chief of the
Asiatic squadron and the officers and
NEE under his command. There also
has been a suggestion for the creation
of the grade of vice admiral for the
benefit of Rear AdmiralS Sampson n
Schley.
As a result of the Sampson-Schley
controversy the reward of all the sub
ordinate officers in the North Atlantic
squadron has been blocked up to this
time and it is the urgent desire of both
the president and Secretary Long that
justice be done them, and that they OBJ
tain the rewards which they " earn
ed.
Preliminary to a decision upon his
course of action, the president and
Secretary Long today had a consulta-
ton with eight of the Santiago cap
tains at the White house. The naval
officers present were Chadwick, of the
New York; Cook, of the Brooklyn;
Clark, of the Oregon; Phillip (now rear
admiraD, of the Texas; Evans. of the
Iowa; Higginson (now rear admiral),
Of the Massachusetts; Folger, OF the
New Orleans, n Lieutenant Com
HldIlOtT III IL III, u Nit 1iOuISS
ter. Rear Admiral Sampson was not
present. These commanding officers
were especially invited by the presi-
dent, who desired to hear from their
own lips the story of the battle of San
tiago. ne general moves and difficult
ties of the campaign, including the
cruise of THE flying squadron in search
Of Cervera's fleet, and their own ideas
as to the method of comforting the re-
wards.
For almost two hours the captains
talked with the president, who mani
tested keen interest in their personal
| accounts of the stirring events off the
south coast Of Cuba. Some of the con-
rtroverted questions were gone into at
length. The consensus of opinion of
the naval officers, as developed at the
conference, seemed to favor the meth
| cd of reward recommended by Secre-
tary Long-the comforting Of medals
which would carry with them a per-
centage of pay in lieu of advancement
by numbers. This would compensate
for actual promotion both by giving
increased pay and by giving to the re-
cipients distinction which would mark
them for future service. At the same
time, in some cases, 1T would work
hardships; as, for instance in the case
of Captain Clark. Despite his heroic
service in bringing the Oregon around
the norm In Sucn marvellous style ana
the gallant service of the Oregon in the
Santiago fight, Captain Clark today
is two numbers below his position al
the opening of the war. This is due
to the advancement Of the Manila cap
tains whose promotions were confirmed
by the senate. Captain Clark at the
conference today, however, was willing
that Secretary Longs plan should be
adopted in order that justice be lone
to the others.
The president, shortly after the re-
converting of ongress tomorrow viii
transmit his recommendations. 1t is not
improbable that in doing SO he will
accompany them by a special message
calling attention ITO the grave injus-
tice that has been o. TO the com
mander-in-chief, officers and men OF
the North Atlantic squadron in SO long
Withholding from them the rewards to
which their gallant service entities
them.