New-York tribune., 1900-01-03
SANTIAGO STORY RETOLD.
THE PRESIDENT HAS A CONFERENCE
WITH SIMPSONS CAPTAINS.
QUESTION OF REWARDS FOR NAVAL Off
GERS, BLOCKED BY THE SAMPSON
sCHLEY CONTROVERSY.
AGAIN TAKEN UP.


Washington, Jan. 2-The President has again
taken up the question of rewarding the naval
officers who took part in the destruction Of Ger
vera's fleet off Santiago and his final concIu-
sions will be embodied shortly in recommenda-
tions to Congress, either in the form of re-
newal of the proposal for the advancement of
Rear Admiral Sampson and the officers under
him by numbers, with perhaps modifca-
tions-the plan which the Senate refused to
radfy last springer according to some other
method. The Secretary of the Navy In his re-
port recommended an alternative proposition
legislation on the line of the bill introduced
last spring (Senate bill No. 5,0O5) which pro-
vides for three classes of medals-one for con-
spicuous conduct in war one for extraordinary
heroism and one for general meritorious ser
vice, the first to carry with 1t a percentage of
increase of pay based on the rank of the re-
cipient, and calculated to take the place of the
increase which would be the result of promotion
were that form of reward given. Either method
would contemplate In addition the thanks of
Congress to the commander in chief of the
North Atlantic Squadron and the officers and
under his command. The creation of the
grade of ViceAdmiral for the benefit of Rear
Admirals Sampson and schley has also been
suggested.
AS result of the Sampson Schley controversy
the reward of all the subordinate 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 to them and that they obtain the
wards which they have earned.
THE CAPTAINS FAVOR MEDALS.
Preliminary to decision his course Of ac-
tion the President and Secretary Long to-day
had consultation with eight of the Santiago
captains at the White House. The naval officers
present were Chadwick of the New York; Cook
of the Brooklyn; Clark, of the Oregon; Philip
Cnow admiraD, of the Texas; Evans of the
Iowa; Higginson (now admiraD, of the
Massachusetts, Foger of the New-Orleans, and
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright, Of the
Gloucester. Rear Admiral Sampson was not
present. These officers especially invited
by the President, who desired to hear from their
own lips the story of the battle of Santiago, the
general movements and the difficulties 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
ward.
For almost two hours the captains talked with
the President. who manifested keen interest in
their personal accounts of the stirring events off
the south coast of Cuba. Some of the Contro-
verted questions were discussed at length The
consensus of opinion of the naval officers, as de-
Yeloped at the conference, seemed 70 favor the
method Of reward recommended by Secretary
LOng-the conferrlng OF medals WnlCh Wouid
carry with them an increase of pay in place of
adva pcement by numbers This would connpen-
sate the officers for actual profnotion both by
giving increased pay and by giving to the recip-
tents a distinction which would mark them for
future service. At the same time In some cases
it would work hardship, as, for instance. in the
case of Captain Clark Despite his heroic service
in bringing the Oregon around the Horn in such
marvellous style and the gallant work of the
Oregon ir the Santiago fight Captain Clark to-
day is two numbers below his position at the
opening Of the This is due to the advance
ffa1S
were confirmed by the Senate. Captain Clark
at the conference to-day, however, was willing
that Secretary Longs plan should be adopted in
order that justice might be done to the others.
The President shortly after the reassembling
of Congress tomorrow, will transmit his recon-
menda tons. 1t is not improbable that In doing
SO he will accompany them by special message
calling attention to the grave injustice done to
the commander in chief, officers and men of the
North Atlantic Squadron in long withholding
from them the rewards to which their gallant
service entities them.