New-York tribune., 1901-02-04
THE HEROES OF SANTIAGO.
SECRETARY LONG WRITES TO SENATOR
MORGAN IN REGARD TO FAILURE
OF CONGRESS TO RECOGNIZE
WHAT THEY DID.
WHAT THEY DID.

washington. Feb. 3-Secretary Long has al
dressed the following letter 10 Senator Nor
gan,
Dear Senator: l have your letter with regard
~ lieutenant Hobson, Captain Clark and others
ana 70 the failure Of the Government 10 recog-
niye their services need not say 10 you that
no one feels this more keenly than myself or has
6one more 70 endeavor 20 secure Justice for the
men who conducted and contaminated the San
tiago naval campaign. VIII you let me say that
the delay" is not with the Executive branch
N the Government. so much as with Congress
90 not say this in any way to shift the respon-
s!blity. but in the hope that the cooperation or
Congress NAV vet 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's more than two years now since the Presi-
Gent sent IN nominations for promotion, and
these nominations have never been acted upon
Nv the Senate. At each session of Congress /
have prepared and submitted bills. asking for
rewards for these officers; no action has been
iaken upon them. In each of my annual reports
J have urged the matter with all the force possi-
be. but II attracts no attention The President
has asked for the creation Of the grade OF Vice
Admiral. which would perhaps lead 70 a solu-
ton OF the matter
feel keenly the lack Of any recognition for
Hobson. whose feat Is famous the world over
! have repeatedly talked about him with the
President, who, as YOU know. feels the mos
cordial interest in behalf OF all these men. He
cannot separate HObson's case from the rest,
nor I advise him 20 do so. II would be an
unjust discrimination against Captain Clark, 70
whom YOU refer and who Is two numbers worse
~ than if there had been no war: II would
be injustice to the Commander-in-C CHIEF who
planned and consummated the whole campaign.
and who had greater responsibility upon him
for longer time than any officer on the Allan
tic; IL would discriminate against the enlisted
men, who have Yet had neither thanks nor meds !.
nor any recognition, and humiliated on the
deck ~ every warstip which their shipmates
Vlo served In the Asiatic Squadron display
their medals, and the Santiago men have none.
and every other Senator and Representative 10
what seems 10 he the simplest justice.
Not content with what has hitherto been done
u was only few days ago that l wrote a letter
n Senator Hale. chairman or the Naval Com
nittee Of the Senate. copy Of which incIose.
asking him If he would not. as a last resort
nave the Naval Committee or a subcommittee
OF II. take up the matter and consider the report
upon the deserts Of these officers.
yesterday wrote another letter TO the Presi-
cent, copy Of which 1 inclose. reciting recon-
lnendations which I made 10 him in nv annual
report ~ lS'9 that he make the same recon-
mencation ~ Congress in the case OF the San
me As!atc Squadron. viz. that the thanks OF
congress he rendered 10 the Cornmander-ir In
'hlei and be extended through him TO the off,
C1rs and men
mink you viii cordially acknowledge that the
fIesldent, by his speedy nominations for pro-
noton' mas been prompt, and that this depart
InrhL mas left no stone unturned 10 Go Justice in
ms matter, and that il r. now for Congress Of
"A4ch You are so distinguished a member TO
az Trusting that We may all cooperate, and
a. iast secure 20 these officers and men an eN-
r.essloh OF the country's appreciation Of their
SERVICES am, very truly yours,
JOHN d. LONG.