The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-03-18
Is. 1902
Weather forecast for Fred
erickS6arg and Vicinity:
Tuesday fair and cold.
PRESIDENT ROOSEyELT'S DECISION
AS RECORD IN ADMIRAL
SCHLEY'S CASE.

the case OF Admiral Schley and the
great naval battle of Santiago, has
decided that one of the most brilliant
naval victories known to history was
achieved on that occasion by an
American fleet without a commander.
The President has decided that the
senior officer assigned to the com
mand OF the feet was absent with his
ship when that famous battle took
place, but was at the same time tech
nically in command. If Admiral Samp-
son had been in Washington he would
have been in technical command I'M
less relieved of the position.
The President has decided that Adj
miral Schley. as second officerin COM
mand, was in charge of the fleet dur
ing the senior officers absence, but
is not entitled TO any credit for the
fleets wonderful work beyond that
accomplished by the individual ship
upon whose deck he stood facing
storm of shot and shell, and which
was at all times in the lead, where he
encountered the brunt of the battle.
Admiral Dewey, who in Manila Bay
achieved a victory which for dashing
courage and decisive results is I'M
rivaled in naval history, and who
was president OF the court organized
to carefully investigate the issues
submitted to it and to establish the
status of Admiral Schley in relation
to the naval battle at Santiago, de-
cided without hesitation that Adj
miral Schley was ia absolute COM
mand and entitled TO the full credit
of the great victory won Oh that
occasion.
President Roosevelt's decision
squareIy contradicts Admiral Dewey,
and in effect declares his decision, as
president OF the court, to he unreli-
able and untruthful.
The head OF the |. ). Army, who
has a national record as an expert
enced and successful fighting con-
mander, happened to express with
prudent brevity his approval OF Adj
miral Dewey's decision. For these
few patriotic and friendly words Pres
ident Roosevelt decided that Gen.
Miles deserved censure, and did issue
"A severe public reprimand.
The record, therefore, which Presl-
dent Roosevelt's decision has made
for his country, and for those who
have won glory for it by brilliant
victories in battle on sea and land,
stands thus
Admiral Schley is declared incom-
petent and not in command at Santi-
ago, although a brilliant victory was
there won by his feet.
That Admiral Dewey decision and
declaration, as president OF the court
of investigation, was wrong and I'M
truthful, and was, therefore, con-
demned.
That Gen. Miles, as the head OF the
army, deserved and received censure
simply because he expressed his re-
spect and approval of Admiral Dew
ey's Judgment.
The Republics three great living
commanders, who have achieved
worldwide renown by theirnavaland
military victories, have thus been
condemned by President Roosevelt's
decision.
Will Congress allow this extraordi-
nary decision to stand as the Record
of the Nation and as material for the
work of historians? If achange and
correction are not made by the Con-
gress now in session it will be safe to
assume that the people will surely
have a Congress that will do so.
There is in President Roosevelt's
decision an element to consider vastly
more important than the feelings and
wishes of the great commanders who
have been hurt by it. 1t has sullied
our national honor at home ana
abroad. and cast a shadow upon the
peoples gratitude toward those VINO
have served them with imperlshable
renown and skill.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
Long. educated as lawyers, and who
have been intrusted with power which
enabled them to smirch the history
Of the American Navy and the prec-
ious reputation OF those heroes OF the
nation who have served it for forty
wears. never had an hour OF expert
ence in naval warfare.
How will commanders who may IN
the future be called upon to engage
in bloody battles for their country $
cause view the precedent established
nv the Presidents decision which
shows that for any noble work
achieved they are as likely to be cen.
sured as praised by the officials OF
their government to whom they look
for encouragement
Fixed in the popular mind IS tne
CURRENT belief that Admiral Sampson
whom the President and Secr
Long, for some hidden reason, SEX
- gjorifv. did not intend to be in tne