El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-21

did not maintain an effective block
ade, thereby directly disobeying the
orders of his superiors; that he was
reprimanded for his conduct on this
occasion and was the only naval Off
Ger of high rank thus reprimanded
| during the Spanish-American war;
that he bears the unique distinction OF
| being the only American officer alive
who ever showed the stern of Unit
ed States war vessel to an enemy in
action The occasion was when the
'.Cristobal Colon'then in plain sight OF
| the mouth of Santiago harbor, he
| steamed past her at four knots an
hour firing as he sailed, and then went
out to sea and beyond the reach of her
guns; that in fighting the battle of San
tiago during Simpsons official alb
sence the things that he did which
were right were those absolutely pre-
scribed by Sampson in the event OF the
enemys fleet coming out. and the
things that heidi which were wrong
were of his OWE initiation: that in max
ing his famous loop he endangered his
own ship and the Texas" and that
the only real excuse he has ever given
for ordering this loop was that he
was too near the enemy. To these
facts might be added the one known to
every officer on blockade duty at San
tiago, that Schley was never, day or
night. in the positions Sampson had
directed him to occupy. 1t is known.
too. that when the controversy had
reached the whitehead stage Schley
demanded from one of his juniors
contradiction of a newspaper inter-
view. and against all precedent. made
public a portion of the letter. suppress
sing the portion which was vital and
which proved that he did say in eff
Lot her
out for herself.
SIMPSONS record includes a long list
of years devoted to the best interests
OF the United States navy; acquire
ment of reputation for knowledge of
ordnance second to that of no other
officer in the world service at the
Newport Torpedo Station and at the
head of Washington bureaus. the ben
eft of which 20 me navy is incalcu-
liable; the presidency and guidance of
the famors commission to examine in
to the explosion of the Maine" the
mobilization of the effective fleet that
blockaded Havana. and. greater than
all in its apparent value. the absolute
blockade for weary weeks. of what was
practically the sea power of Spain
such blockade protecting the cities of
the North, making foreign Intervention
impossible. and ending in the wiping
out Oh tndL sea power almost entirely.
The naval battle of Santiago was
fought by Sampson as much as if he
had been on the Oregon instead of the
New York IN that his orders were
carried out by everyone but Schley.
to the letter. and by Schley himself
in some measure.
The Times is absolutely convinced of
the truth of all that is said above
We do not believe that Admiral
Schley is deserving of any promotion
whatever, but that is a matter con-
corning which Congress can Judge.
Congress should not have power OF
judgment if it refuses justice to Samp-
son and his loyal captains. We have
said all we intend or desire to say up
on the subject in this editorial. Ten
years from now when predjudice and
sectional favoritism shall not be gov
enring factors. those who support
Schley today will wonder why they
allowed their judgment to be so cloud !
ed when the testimony was so clear !
The administration is not afraid of !!
Schley or of his record and never has /
BEEN 1t is and has been afraid of the |!
political effect in Maryland. 1t is the I
same fear that deprecates obeying the |,
of the constitution of the |
United States and providing for |
southern representation according to |
Ioting population.