The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-30
GREETED sCHLEY AS HERO.
Message Sent by Col. Roosevelt to
the Man Who Won.
From the New York Wor

Philadelphia, Dec. 27.-"Say to Com
modore Schley that Theodore Roose-
welt. until recently Assistant Secretary
of the Navy and now a colonel in the
Army, congratulates him heartily as
the hero of the battle of Santiago"
This was the verbal message Presi-
dent Roosevelt sent to Admiral Schely
Immediately after the destruction Of
the Spanish fleet in the naval conflict
off Santiago during the recent war.
Any lingering doubt in the minds of
the American people as to where the
President of the United States stands
in the present controversy between Ad-
mirals Schley and Sampson, and in
which Admiral Dewey and Lieut. Gen.
Miles, of the army may become Sc
riously involved before 1t is definitely
settled, it seems should be dissipated
by this eongratulatory message to the
officer in command and directing I'm
Gle Sans fleet in that engagement at
Santiago.
Coi- Roosevelts message was en-
trusted to a Philadelphia to deliver
to Admiral Schley. 1t was John Doyle,
a brother of William H. Doyle, collec-
| tor Of internal revenue at the port Of
Philadelpnia during Cleveland,s last
administration, and who was for years
| prominent in LEGAL Democratic politics
as one of 'Harrity's Lieutenants."
Gave Message to Schlcy's Orderly,
John Doyle, now a lieutenant in the
navy and at present on duty in the
philippines, was then an orderly, serv-
ing Admiral Schley on the cruiser
Brooklyn, which, in the absence of Ad-
nnral Sampson apd the cruiser New
York, was the flagship of the American
ieet. in the Santiago engagement His
brother is now in this city
Shortly after the battle Orderly Doyle
was sent ashore by Admiral Schley
with some telegraphic dispatches to
transmit to Washington. Upon arriv-
ing ashore Orderly Doyle was accost-
ed by Col. Roosevelt and asked If he
would convey verbal message from
him to Admiral Schley upon returning
to the Brooklyn
Il VIII try sir. to repeat your exact
language, but to avoid any mista kes
would it not be better, sir, if you wrote
out the message|' replied young Doyle.
i want to convey the assurance to
Commodore Schley," said Col Roose-
welt, that both the Navy and Army
are proud of him. He conducted the
tieet In most admirable manner, and
the battle will go down in history as
one of the grandest victories ever won
by the American navy"
After delivering himself of this opin-
ion and referring to his interest in the
glory and success of the American
navy, partly because OF the position
he had held until quite recently, Coz.
Roosevelt said to young Doyle:
You can remember a brief verbal
message and deliver it for me to Com
modore Schley, will you not?"
Il will try, sir"
slow, Deliberate, studied.
Then Col. Roosevelt after a pause
said in a slow, deliberate, studied man.
ner:
Say to Commodore Schley that
Theodore Roosevelt, until recently AS
Sistant Secretary of the Navy, and
now cononel in the army, congratu.
lates him heartily as the hero Of the
battle of Santiago"
Il think ! can remember that mes
sage and deliver IL word for word; at
least, l will try" said Orderly DOYLE
as he saluted and left the man wear
ing the uniform of a Rough Rider. who
was destined to be the next President
Of the United States.
subsequently. while still excited with
enthusiasm over the American navy's
victory at Santiago, Col. Roosevelt
in discussing the battle with friends
both navy and army men, gave the
full measure of credit for the victory
TO Admiral Schley. He seemed to feel
however, that some credit was due
him personally. as he referred to the
fact that but for him Schley might
and probably would not have been at
Santiago at that time.
This happened before Orderly Doyle
had probably had a chance to return
to the Brooklyn and deliver Roose-
velt's message to Sehley. The con-
versation between Col. Roosevelt and
Doyle was overheard by several others
and there were at least two witnesses
when the orderly delivered the mes
sage TO the Admiral.