Evening star., 1901-08-08
SENATOR BURToN,s OPINION.
Says Ninety Per Cent of American
Favor Admiral SchIey.

Says Ninety Per Cent of Americans
Favor Admiral Schley.
Senator ]. r. Burton Of Kansas, who Is
in Washington. Is manifesting great inter-
est in the work OF the prospective court of
inquiry appointed to examine into Admiral
Schley's conduct in the Santiago naval
campaign. Mr.. Burton thinks that the
work Of this board will be wasted so far
as the general public is concerned, for the
reason that the popular verdict has al
ready been rendered in favor Of Admiral
Schley, and that no matter what official
action may be taken by the court and the
Navy Department 1t will have no practical
effect.
Ninety per cent Of the American people
have already decided in favor Of Admiral
ton to a Star reporter this afternoon, ''and
it matters not what the verdict Of the
court may be. That body may decide In
favor Of Admiral Sampson. or 1t may vim
dicate Admiral Schley. What 1t will do.
however. will cut absolutely no figure in
public estimation. Nine out Of every ten
persons In the country are with Schley.
and the official stamp Of the Navy De-
partment on the case Will have no effect
either for or against him.
II think the American people regard this
affair as a closed incident. The conviction
is a settled one and 1t can never be
the matter and I do not believe the people
at large have. Admiral Sampson. like Ad-
miral Schley. Is undoubtedly brave and
capable officer, but Schley produced results.
and it Is that for which he Is to be given
credit. That Is what the American people
want and that is what they got. The peo-
pie don't care rap how long Schiey re-
mained at Cienfuegos or at just what time
ering themselves about such technical
points in the affair. The fact remains
that Schley arrived at Santiago in ample
time, and when the engagement under the
command of the admiral was progressing
Cevera's ships trained their guns upon the
Brooklyn, Schley's flagship. The Brooklyn
was in action. 1t was fired upon, and tt
did some shooting itself. What II Schley
during the fight? Do you suppose the pub
lie cares anything for that? 1t cannot be
gainsaid that the Brooklyn participated in
the engagement from start to finish. That
Is history. The ship was In action up to
the time the last Spanish vessel lowered its
colors and surrendered. That is evidence
of just what the Brooklyn was doing and
to what extent 1t contributed to the Amer
lean victory. The people don't care much
whether Schley turned to the right, the
left or completely around, just SO long as
his ship was in the thick Of the affray.
And there it was.
There can be no doubt In the public
mind that IL the engagement had proven
disastrous to the American squadron Schley
would have been blamed for the outcome.
The shoe would then have been on the
other foot. think the people are willing
to give credit where It is due. If Schley
had lost the battle he would have been
blamed, and in view Of the fact that he
won It he ought to receive the credit. Take
the case OF Cedar creek during the civil
war. for instance. A Union defeat was
turned into victory Sheridan. who rode
from Winchester to rally the federal
troops, received credit for It, Schiey, fr0m
every point Of view. Is certainly given full
credit by nine-tenths Of the people for the
Santiago triumph"