The Washington times., 1901-08-14
The Case of 81 mpson.

Whether the relief of Sampson from
duty at the Boston Navy Yard is to
be delayed until November 15 or is to
come earlier, the main point of public
interest in his case is the question of
his appearance on the stand before the
Schley Court of Enquiry. A prominent
journal. which always has been friend
ly to him. stated yesterday that his
name was on the list of witnesses to
be summoned by TIE Navy Depart
ment. and that ne certainly would be
called.
That may be true enough and yet not
ensure his presence for examination
and cross-eXamination. Some of his ad
herents are declaring that his health has
greatly improved and that probably he
will be in good testimonial condition
by the middle of next month. The fact
remains that the enemies of Rear Ad-
miral Schley would be greatly delighted
if some way could be devised to prevent
his attendance at the inquest; so it is
possible that he may suffer a relapse
Unless it could be proven that Samp-
son was incapacitated from serving as
a witness, his failure to appear would
create a bad impression throughout the
country, and the motives of the depart
ment in securing his excuse would be
handled without gloves by the press
and public. AS far as the mass OF the
American people are concerned, they are
not anxious concerning what Schley did
in the West Indian campaign, because
they know all about that alrea dy What
they want to get out of the Court of
Enquiry is what Sampson did. They
would like to be told why he wasted
Juan. Porto Rico. without damaging
them or their armament in the smallest
degree; why he failed to go after Ger
vera, when notified at Cape Haitien
that the Spanish squadron was prepar-
ing TO leave the harbor of Curacao; why
he failed TO communicate to his col
league the code arranged between Cap
tain McCalla and the Cuban insurgents
at Cienfuegos; why he sank the Merri-
mac, whether under orders or other
wise, and what he knows about the
purchase of that vessel by the Gov
eminent, and who was the honest
broker" in the transaction, and why he
claimed the victory over the Spanish
squadron. although he was hull down
behind the horizon during the engage
ment, and before leaving his post with
the New York had turned over the
command to Commodore Schley? Also.
there are certain queries relating to
suppressed papers that the good of the
Service demands should be asked him,
and he compelled to answer Unless
these things are done the findings of
the court will be unsatisfactory to the
country, and there will be an irresistible
clamor for a Congressional investiga-
ton. which would be sure TO include
Sampson. Crowninskield, and others, to
their discomfort and dismay The Ma
tanzas mule mans most ardent admirer
can furnish no good reason why he
should not be required to testify. I'M
less the extreme measure of represent
ing him as mentally unsound should be
resorted to. Otherwise we are unable to
think of anything to excuse him. No
doubt unpleasant disclosures would
have to come out, but, if Sampson did
or left undone anything in the cam
paign in way to warrant a court
martial, he is immune under the naval
statute of limitations. The public is
anxious for the truth, the whole truth.
and nothing but the truth. A vigorous
cross-examination Of William T. Samp-
son might conduce to its discovery.