The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-09-05
WASHINGTON.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. Sent. .

washington, Sept. 2, 1901.
Washington would be peaceful at
present were it not for the Sampson
Schley CONTROVERSY, but both sides are
SO busy in considering what they will
do to each other that there is semi
sulphurous suggestion of war. The
adherents OF Admiral Sampson have
thus far been kept occupied in explain
ing as much of their chiefs cratic
conduc: as they can without giving
their case away beforehand. Some of
the explanations do not explain.
XXX
The latest development in the case
is the discovery of the fact that the
Cuban, General Garcia, knew, or sur
missed, that Cervera was coming out of
the harbor of Santiago on the morning
OF July 8. His information came from
the refugee French Consul at Santi-
ago, and was, presumably, wigwagged
TO Sampson, as there was a code Of
signals arranged between Garcia and
Sampson for that precise emergency.
1t would appear therefore, that Samp-
son not only thought that Cervera
might come out at that time, and, as
he has already claimed, made all ar
engagements to stop him should this
happen. but that he actually knew that
the sortie of the Spanish fleet was
about to take place, and knowing, de.
liberately absented himself with one of
the best ships OF the squadron, and
was hull down behind the horizon,
seven miles away when the time came
for him to make his everlasting repu-
tation. On ascertaining this, Admiral
Schleys friends took immense delight
in arising and asking with one voice,
why? 1t really seems, sometimes,
as if the Schley press of the country,
which means most of the newspapers
were one big interrogation point ad-
dressed to the unlucky Sampson.
That Schley is the hero OF the en-
listed men there is no doubt. The
"jackies" on his ship swear by him,
and so do the gunners and sailors on
other ships, not including, of course,
the New York. Schley was the only
one of the three prominent admirals
dewey, Schley and Sampson) who at
tended the banquet at the Waldorf
Astoria given for the enlisted men
1,,r,nf Nau, NNxl, LII
Schley made speech which took the
sailors by storm.
1t has been suggested that General
Shaiter should be called as witness
when the court of inquiry meets. 1t
is not known just what Simpsons
supporters in the Navy Department
think Of this suggestion, ard for obvious
reasons it is not likely to be known.
They cannot encourse 1t with good
grace, and they cannot regard it with
open disfavor without hurting them
selves. That Skaters testimony, if
taken, would be one of the most inter-
esting chapters in the record cannot
be doubted. The big General is not
good at fabrications or evasions, and
he was in position to know Sampson
very well. He would have to relate,
under oath, the story of the Santiago
campaign as he saw it from the rear.
Little can be learned at present,
from any authoritive source, of the
actual facts in the controversy. The
reason is that Secretary Long has
ordered every man connected with the
Navy Department or with the service
to keep his mouth shut. In this the
Secretary has again shown the tact
which has always been one of his
prominent qualifications for states
manship. 1t will really do no good to
have the whole matter thrashed over
on the statement of every little officer
who knows, or thinks he knows, some
thing about it. and the battle OF Santi-
ago was an affair in which a great
many officers, big and little, took part,
and on which practically every one in
the service has an opinion. There
are people, however, who note the
fact that Captain Chadwick, OF the
New York, one of SIMPSONS devoted
adherents, said a number of things
about forbidden subjects a few days
after the order was given, and was not
punished, while Captain Forsyth, who
came out in a Schley interview, is
said to be in danger of serious re-
prlmand. They are asking "Whyf
again and again, in this connection.