Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-12-23
10Th Arr pRo TESTING.

The two naval officers chiefly inter-
ested In the sampson.schley contro-
yersy, protest against The findings OF
the court of inquiry Both are dissa'iS-
fled, Admirallsampson requests the ma
val department to strike out the por-
lion OF Admiral Deweys opinion that
relates to the command Of the squad
ron at Santiago and Admiral schleys
counsel arc MD to contemplate a sug-
gestlon that three eminent lawyers be
appointed to weigh the evidence ana re-
port to the President Clearly II IL as
difficult to bring war among naval OIL
flcers to an end, as It Is 10 hlish
conflict With euerlllos'
But do the nayy Jlicers consider that
by their prolonged quarels about'hon-
orr they arc materially hurting the ma"
wv The sampson.schey contro-
versy has Left an Impression among
the public that naval heroes are but
too willing 70 run one another down.
Then the revelations as to charts ana
log books, which. It appears, can be att
tered to suit Individual taste, with the
ease with which the FIRST Napoleon IS
said to have tempered with the oiilclai
reports. for the evident purpose OF de-
ceptlon, have not heightened those con-
cerned, IN public estimation. II all mas
q bad effect.
A writer In the New York lndepend-
emit calls attention to this fact He
says last spring an association under
took to collect money for the construc-
ton Of naval arch in New York. it
was to be the greatest single monument
the world has ever seen In honor Of a
navy. 1t had selected and secured, with
full official approval, the most COM
manding site on the magnificent bay Of
New York. II had completed its organ
isatlon, chosen It's design and figured
out It's estimates Il had assurances OF
the strongest municipal and private
support. Their was nothing further to
be done but arrange for collecting OF
funds. This branch Of the work began
promisInuly. but as one thing after
another developed, and especially atler
the wretched charges Of cowardice be-
gan TO be rlfe In the clubs Of New
York, the public interest perceptlbly
weakened and at the present time II Is
necessary to wait, though hopefully, for
the tide to turn again. necessary for the
men who from patriotism and civic
pride have lahored for the great en-
terprIse 10 divert their work from an
effort TO honor the navy to an effort to
defend it-and because of the pubic
mlsapprehenslons, apparently against
itself.
THAT Is but one effect. Another viii
be widespread opposition to unusually
large naval appropriations, at a time
when many believe that such appropri-
atons are demanded by the contingent
Giles that have arisen in recent years.
II would be excellent policy at this time
TO bury the Ratchet forget the differ
ences that have sprung up, and lay a
more solid foundation for harmony
among chiefs and commanders, Petty
iealousies might become dangerous in
times Of war For whore they exist,
the country cannot count on perfect
co. operation, when unity Of purpose
and action means everything, The
contestants had better let the case rest
where It is. Nobody has been injured
by the findings Of the court. The evil
dence has been heard and sifted. There
is, practically, unanimlty on the state
ments that both officers notwithstand-
ing minor mistakes did their duty.
what more do they want? Does either
of them expect a certificate for infal-
| libiltty?