Evening star., 1901-02-04
SERVICES AT SANTIAGO
SECRETARY LONG COMPLAINS OF
LACK OF RECOGNITION.
Earnestly Requests That Officers Who
Distinguished Themselves BE
Appropriately HOnOred.

Secretary Long has written letter to
Senator Morgan of Alabama in regard to
the failure Of the government to recognize
the services of Captain Clark Lieutenant
Hobson and others, in which he says:
II need not say to you that no one feels
this more keenly than myself, or has done
more to endeavor to secure justice for the
men who conducted and 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. 1 do not say this
to in any way shift the responsibility, but
in the hope that the cooperation 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 do not despair.
''It Is more than two years now since
the President sent in nominations for pro-
motion, and these nominations have never
been acted upon by the Senate. AT each
session of Congress l have prepared and
submitted bills asking for rewards for
these officers; no action has been taken upon
them. In each Of my annual reports
have urged the matter with all the force
possible, but 1t attracts no attention. The
President has asked for the creation Of the
grade Of vice admiral, which would per-
haps lead to a solution Of the matter.
Cannot UnjustIy Discriminate.
Il feel keenly the lack of recognition to
Hobson, whose feat is famous the world
over 1 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 separate Hob
sons case from the rest, nor can 1 advise
him to do SO. 1t would be an unjust dis
elimination against Captain Clark, to whom
you refer, and who numbers worse off now
than if there had been no war; it would
be an injustice to the commander-in-chie
who planned and eonsummated the whole
campaign and who had a greater raspon-'
sibility upon him for a longer time than
any officer on the Atlantic; it would dis
criminate against the other commanding
officers of the fleet, who fought their
ships with such brilliancy; it would dis
criminate against the enlisted men, who
! have yet had neither thanks nor medal,
nor any recognition. and are Inundated on
the deck of every warship on which their
shipmates who served in the Asiatc squad
ron display their medals, and the Santiago
men have none. 1 feel almost like invoking
the help of yourself and every other sem
ator and representative to what seems to
be the simplest justice.
Not content with what has hitherto
been done, 1t was only few days ago that
l wrote letter to Senator Hale, chairman
Of the naval committee of the Senate, a
copy of which l inclose. asking him If he
would not, as a last resort, have the naval
committee. or a subcommittee of it, take
upon the deserts of these officers.
Plea for Justice.
Yesterday l wrote another letter to the
President, copy Of which 1 inclose, recit-
ing recommendations which 1 made to him
in my annual report of 1899, that he make
the same recommendation to Congress in
the case of the Santiago squadron which
was made in the case of the Asiatic squad
ron, viz: That the thanks of Congress be
rendered to the chief and
be extended through him to the officers and
men,
81 think you will cordially acknowledge
that the President by his speedy nomina-
tions for promotion has been prompt, and
that this department has left no stone
unturned. to do justice in this matter, and
that it is now for Congress, of which you
are so distinguished a member, to act
Trusting that we may all cooperate. and
at last secure to these officers and men an
expression of the country's appreciation
OF their services, l am" etc.