, 1902-02-20

l oAS IoI tue oluCI lSN ally VI altaSV
Sampson was hardly more than tech.
nically in the fight. His real claim
for credit rests upon his work as com.
mander-in-chief. upon the excellence
of the blockade. upon the preparedness
of the squadron, upon the arrange
ment Of the ships, head-on in a semi
circle around the harbor. and the
standing orders. in accordance with
which they instantly moved to the at
tack OF the Spaniards when the latter
appeared. For all these things the
credit is his.
Admiral Schley is rightly entitled
as is Captain Cook-to the credit OF
what the Brooklyn did in the fight.
on the whole she did we'll; but I agree
with the unanimous finding Of the
three admirals who composed the
court Of inquiry as to the loop. 1t
seriously marred the Brooklyn's other.
wise excellent record. being, in fact.
the one grave mistake made by any
American ship that day. Had the
Brooklyn turned to the%westward: that
is. in the same direction that the
Spanish ships we're going, instead Of
In the contrary direction she would
undoubtedly have been in a more dan
gerous proximity to them But 1t
would have been more dangerous for
them as well as for her. This kind
of danger must not be too finely weigh
ed by those whose trade it is to dare
greatly for the honor of the flag. More
over. the danger was certainly not as
great as that which, in the self-same
moment menaced Wainwright's fragile
part as he drove forward against the
foe. 1t raj not In my judgment as
great as the danger to which the Texas
was exposed by the turn as actually
made. It certainly caused both the
Brooklyn and the Texas materially
to loss position compared to the fee
ing Spanish vessels. But after the
loop had been taken Admiral Schley
handled the Brooklyn manfully and
we'll. She and the Oregon were thence
forth the headmost of the American
vessels, though the Iowa certainly
and seemingly the Texas also did as
much in hammering to a standstin the
Viscaya. Equendo and Teresa, while
the Indiana did all she could toward
the feet with her position and Grip
pied machinery. In the chase OF the
Colon. the Brooklyn and Oregon share
the credit between them.
Under such circumstances it seems
to me that the recommendations Of
President Mckinley were eminently
proper. and that, 80 .far as Admirals
Sampson and Schley were concerned.
it would have been unjust for him to
have made other recommendations.
Personally, I feel that. in. view Of Cap
tain Clark's long voyage in the Ore
gon and the condition in which he
brought her to the scene of service, as
well as the way in which he actually
managed her before and during the
fight. it would have been well to have
given him the same advancement that
vas given Wainwright. But, waving
this, is it evident Wainwright was en-
titled to receive more than any of the
other commanders. and that it was just
to Admiral Sampson that he should re-
ceive a greater advance in numbers
than Admiral Schley-there was moth
ing done in the battle that warranted
any unusual reward for either. In
short. a regards Admirals Sampson
and Schley, l find that President Nc
Kinley did substantial justice, and
there would be no warrant for revers-
ing his action"
The president says In conclusion:
Both Admiral Sampson and Adj
miral Schley are nov on the retired
list. In concluding their report the
members of the court of inquiry. Ad-
mirals Dewey. Benham and Ramsay.
united in stating that they recommend
that no further action be had in the
matter. With this recommendation,
most heartily concur. There is no ex-
cuse whatever from either side of any
further agitation Of this unhappy con-
trovery. To keep 1t alive would mere
ly do damage to the navy and to the
country"