Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1901-08-01
SPANISH ADMIRAL'S
TRIBUTE TO ScHLEY
Cervera, Who Commanded at San
tiago, Talks Of Charges Against
the Rear Admiral.
GALLANT AND GENEROUS FOE
sohley's Flassh,p tho Most Exposed Se.se,
of the American Flcet-A Case OF
Demonstrated valor Against
Possible Bravery.

Vichy, France, July s1.-Admira'
Cervera, who commanded the Spanish
feet in the naval battle OF Santiago
was interviewed by an American corre-
fspondent here on the Schley-Sanlpsou
controversy. The admiral said:
ACTIONS speak. The good old PROV
aerb is: Actions speak louder than
words Why not apply it TO Admiral
Schley? Understand that what I say
is in the light of this distinction.
"As Spaniard l look upon that wal
as being as unjust as the war which
Britain is now waging against tho Boer
republics. Personally l shall never for
get the generous and courteous treat
ment that was accorded to ne by the
Americans, and particularly Admiral
Schley. He impressed me as n gallant
officer and a high-minded gentleman in
the fullest sense of the phrase.
"a priori / should say that q man of
noble principles and generous impulses
cannot be q coward. TO such men I
would look rather for Castiliian BRAY
cry.
THE naval battle of Santiago was
short and decisive-so short that there
was no time for any exchange OF COM
believe that cowardice was thinkab.e.
The fight was over in about three
hours and three-quarters.
Erooklyn's Part in Battle.
Had been captured III the days OF
ancient Rome, my back might have
been used as a stepping place fer the
conqueror mounting mis- horse. Admiral
Schley treated me on terms of absolute
equality
Ills flagship the Brooklyn, was west
in the blockading line, and was there's
fore the most exposed she was en-
gagged in a running fight with the Wis.,
caya and the Colon. When the Brook
Ign and the Oregon got within range OF
the Colon they opened fire and the lat
ter was compelled to run ashore Tho
Cristobal Colon also struck her colors
to the Brooklyn and the Oregon.
The Brooklyn, holding the vest
ward blockading position. was within
range of our ships and batteries all the
time, though our ships lacked certain
things necessary for full effectiveness.
Admiral Schley showed ability and
thoroughness.
II have never net Admiral Sampson.
He was absent comforting with Shat
ter when the fight took place. What
he might have done We're he present
/ cannot say.
Act Versus Possibility.
1T is a case of demonstrated valol
against possible bravery. 1t is case OF
difference between the act and possi-
bility. or, as the old philosophers used
to say. between the essc and the posse.
The philosophical axiom which
learned in my school days, namely, "a
posse I'D actuna non valet consecutio'
('To be able to do thing is not thu
same as doing IT'D probably applies to
this case.
Your ships went straight to work,
probably without much commanding.
Admiral schley accomplished fully the
work allotted to him. ard therefore II
does not seem to me that there is any
room for adverse criticism-at least
from the American side.
IF anyone should grunble. it is 1;
but I have said my say in the docu-
ment published under the title OF
Guerra Hispano Americano.'
Physical and moral courage are two
different qualities. There is no need
of using n microscope to discover botl
n the action OF Admiral schley.'