The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-04
THE SANTIAGO REWARDS.
Secretary Long Urges Immediate Ac-
ton by Congress.

secretary Long has again taken up the
| cases of the officers and men of the navy
who served with' distinction in the West
Indian campaign of the Spanish war and
| is urging that they be rewarded Last
| week he wrote to the President asking
| him to recommend to Congress that
Admiral Sampson be thanked by the legis-
| latiye branch, and through him that
thanks be extended to the officers and
men who saw service under him. He has
written also to the chairman OF the Senate
Committee on Naval Affairs begging him
to take up the matter of rewards.
Despite the frequent efforts of the Pres
| ident and Secretary Long to secure re-
wards for the officers and men who saw
service at Santiago there appears to be
considerable misunderstanding even
among members OF Congress as to the
reasons for the failure of the Government
to properly acknowledge the gallantry and
efficiency of the officers who won renown
at the naval battle.
Senator Morgan of Alabama recently
wrote to Secretary Long enquring as to
this failure. making particular reference
to the cases of Captain Clark of the Ore
gon and Naval Constructor Hobson, who
sank the Merrimac in Santiago harbor.
Mr. Long in his answer explains why these
men have not been rewarded and tells of
his efforts to secure recognition for them.
The Secretarys letter follows:
Dear Senator-I have your letter with
regard to Lieutenant Hobson. Captain
Clark, and others in regard to the failure
of the Government TO recognize their ser
vices. L need not say to you that no one
feels this more keenly than myself. or
has done more to endeavor to secure JUS
tice for the men who consummated the
Santiago naval campaign. VIII you let
me say that the delay is not with the
executive branch of the Government, SO
much as with Congress. I do not say this
to in any way shift the responsibility. but
in the hope that the corporation Of Con-
gress may yet be secured in this respect.
With the interest which you and other
members of the legislative branch feel in
the case l do not despair.
1t is more than two years now since
the President sent in nominations for
promotion, and these nominations have
never been acted upoa by the Senate. At
each session of Congress I have prepared
and submitted bills. asking for rewards
for these officers. No action has been
taken upon them. In each of my annual
reports l have urged the matter with all
the force possible, but it attracts no at
tention. The President has asked for the
creation of the grade of Vice Admiral.
which would perhaps lead to a solution of
the matter.
Il feel keeenly the lack of any recog-
milton to Hobson, whose feat is famous
the world over. | have repeatedly talked
about him with the President who, as you
know. feels the most cordial interest in
behalf of all these men. He cannot sep
arate Hcbson's case from the rest. nor can
| advise him to do so. 1t would be an I'M
just discrimination against Captain Clark.
TO whom you refer, and who is two num-
bers worse off now than IL there had been
no war; il would be an injustice to the
commander in chief, who planned and con-
summated the whole campaign. and who
had greater responsibility upon him for
a longer time than any officer in the At
lantic Squadron; il would discriminate
against the enlisted men. who have yet
had neither thanks nor medal. nor any rec
Ognition and. who are Inundated on the
deck OF every warship. on which their
shipmates who served in the Asiatic
squadron display their medals and the San
tiago men have none. | feel almost like
invoking the help Of yourself and every
other Senator and Representative to what
seems to be the simplest justice.
Not content with what has hitherto
been done, it was only few days ago that
wrote letter to Senator Hale, Chair |
man OF the Naval Committee OF the Sen
lite. asking him If he would not. as a last
resort, have the Naval Committee or a
sub committee take up the matter and |
consider and report upon the deserts OF |
hese officers.
Yesterday wrote another letter to the |
President, reciting recommen .ations which |
made to him in my annual report of 1899. |
hat he make the same recommendations /
o Congress in the case of the Santiago /
squadron which was made in the case of /
he Asiatic squadron. viz: that the thanks /
If Congress be rendered to the COM
chief and be extended through
lin to the officers and men.
i think you will cordially acknowledge
hat the President by his speedy nominal
ions for promotion, has been prompt, and
hat this department has left no stone
lnturned to do justice in this matter. and
hat it is now for Congress. of which you
ire so distinguished a member. to act /
trusting that we may all cooperate. and
It last secure to these officers and men
IN expression of the country's apprecia-
ION OF their service, | am,
Very truly yours,
JOHN d. LONG"
DIT |