The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-08-03
Admiral Ceryera, the Spanish Com.
mander, Tells OF the Battle of
Santiago.

CHICAGO, July 30 An exclusive cable
to the Record Herald from Vichy,
France, says:
When the correspondent of the
Chicago Record Herald presented
himself tc the illustrious Spanish war
rior, Admiral Cervera, with word Of
commentator from the Marauis de
Noailles first secretary of Spain S
embassy in Paris, the warm grasp OF
the old sea-dogs hand was such as
would favorably decide any doubtful
voter. The admiral is taking the
sulphurous baths and drinking the
waters of Vichy, trying to get rid of a
liver complaint contracted during the
Spanish-American war.
When the conversation had veered to
the subject that is uppermost at the
present time in the minds of Americans,
the admiral said
factions speak. The good old prov
erb is: Actions speak louder than
words Why not apply it to Admiral
SchleyY Understand what | say is in
light Of this distinction.
LAS a Spaniard | look upon that war
as being as unjust as the war which
Britain is now waging against the Boer
republics. Personally | shall never
forget the generous and courteous
treatment that was accorded to me by
the Americans, and particularly Adj
miral Schley. He impressed me as a
gallant officer and high-minded
gentleman to the fullest sense of the
phrase.
"A priori, should say that man of
noble principles and generous impulses
cannot be II coward To such men |
would look rather for Castilian bravery.
1.-The naval battle of Santiago was
short and decisive so short that there
was no time for any exchange of com.
pliments so decisive that | can hardly
believe that cowardice was thinkable.
The fight was over IN about three hours
and three-quarters.
Had | been captured in the days Of
ancient Rome my back might have been
used rs a stepping place for the con.
queror mounting his horse. Admiral
Schley treated me on terms Of absolute
equality.
His flagship, the Brooklyn, was
west of the blockading line, and was
therefore the most exposed. She was
engaged in n running fight with the
Viscaya and the Colon. When the
Brooklyn and the Oregon got within
range of the Colon they opened fire
and the latter was compelled to run
ashore. The Cristobel Colon also
struck her colors to the Brooklyn and
the Oregon.
THE Brooklyn, holding the west
ward blockading position, was within
range Of our ships and batteries all the
time, though our ships lacked certain
things necessary to full effectiveness.
"Admiral Schley showed ability and
Jhoroughness.
II have never met Admiral Sampson
He was absent comforting with Shafter
when the fight took place. What he
might have done were he present
cannot say.
lit case Of demonstrated valoi
against possible bravery 1t is case
of difference between the act and pos
sibility, or, as the old philosophers used
to say, between the esse and the posse
The philosophical axiom which learned
in my school days, namely, A posst
ad dictum non valet consecutio' Go be
able to do n thing Is not the same a.
doing it') probably applies to this case.
Your ships went straight to work
probably without much commanding
Admiral Schley accomplished fully the
work allotted to him, and therefore II
| does not seem TO me that there Ia un\
room for adverse criticism--at least
from the American side.
III anyone should grumble 1t is |
but have said my say in the document
published under the title of 'GuerC
Hispano Americana.
Physical and moral courage are two
different qualities, There is no need o
using microscope to discover both il
the action of Admiral Schley, "