The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-08-08
ADMIRAL CERVERAS OPINION.
SchIey's Actions More Eloquent Than
Words.

Washington, July 29.-The list OF
witnesses who will appear at the
court Of inquiry has not get been
made out. 1t will include officers OF
the navy and civilians. The former
will be compelled to attend, but there
is no law which makes it obligatory
for anyone not in the service to
appear and give testimony. There
has been some talk Of asking Admiral
Cervera and Captain Eulate to be
present and give testimony, but this
will probably not be done.
The old Spanish commander has
been interviewed by correspondent
Of the New York Journal at Fichy,
where he is spending the summer en-
deavoring to regain his health. Con-
corning the battle OF Santiago and
Schley's conduct, Admiral Cervera is
quoted in copyrighted dispatch in
Yesterdays Journal as saying:
ACTIONS speak. The good old
proverb is Actions speak louder than
words Why not apply it to Admiral
Schley? Understand what / say is in
light OF this distinction. AS Spaniard
look upon that war as being as I'M
just as the war which England snow
waging against the Boer Republics.
Personally, shall never forget the
generous and courteous treatment
that was accorded to me by the
Americans, and particularly by Ad-
miral Sohley.
ale impressed me as being a
gallant officer and high-minded gen
teman to the highest sense OF the
phrase. A priori, / should say that a
man OF noble principles and generous
impulses cannot be a coward. TO
such men | would look rather for
Castillian bravery. The naval battle
of Santiago was short and decisive
so short that there was no time for an
exchange OF compliments; so decisive
that | can hardly believe that coward
ice was thinkable. The fight was over
in about three and three-quarter
hours.
Had | been captured in the days
OF ancient Rome, my back might have
been used as stepping place for the
conqueror mounting his horse. Ad-
miral Schley treated me on terms oil
absolute equality. His flagship. the
Brooklyn, was West of the blockading
line, and was therefore the most e1
posed. She was engaged in run
ming fight with the Viscaya and the
Colon. When the Brooklyn and the
Oregon got within range of the Color
they opened fire, and the latter wa.
compelled to run ashore. The Christie
bal Colon also struck her colors tt
the Brooklyn and the Oregon. Th'
Brooklyn, holding the WESTWARD
blockading position, was within range
of our ships and batteries all thu
time though our ships lacked certain
things necessary for full effective
ness. Admiral Schley showed ability
and thoroughness.
ut is case of demonstrated valo
against possible bravery. 1t is a cas-
OF the difference between the act ant
the possibility or, as the old philoso
pher used to say, between the ess
and posse. The philosophical axiom
which | learned in my school days
namely, A posse al actum non vale
consecutio,' Go be able to do a thin!
is not the same rs doing ip. probabl,
applies to this case.
II do not known Admiral Sampson
and have no comment to make upol
him. Your ships went straight L
work. probably without much com
handing. Admiral Schley accomp
lished the work allotted to him, an
therefore it does not seem to me tina
there is any room for adverse crit
cism-at least from the America
side