The Tucson citizen., 1902-01-08

w ASfflNG ION, Jan, g. ne us
credit which has been brought upon
the American navy through the effort
of certain officers to belittle Admiral
Schley and his victory at Santiago
had its counterpart some time ago.
when certain naval officers protested
to Congress against the passage of
vote of thanks to Schley and his com,
rades who rescued Greedy in the artic
regions. The same protest led to a
wholesale rebuking Of the naval OFF,
GERS who had signed 1t, Mr.. Chandler
being then Secretary OF the Navy. Mr..
Chandler's utterances at that time are
especially appropriate ir view of the
attempt to besmirch Schley's charac-
ter and of the rebuke administered by
President Roosevelt to Gen. Miles for
having expressed an opinion favor
able to Schley.
The episode. which has been almost
forgotten. is an interesting one be-
cause In the correspondence which re-
suited Mr.. Chandler took occasion to
outline very plainly the difference be-
tween naval officers who must obey
orders and private citizens who have
a right to say and do as they please.
A bill had been introduced in Con-
gress to give vote of thanks to then
Commander Schfey and Lieut. Will
liam H. Emory for their services in
rescuing Greedy. and to advance one
grade the officers connected with the
expedition, More than thirty naval
officers. headed by Rear Admiral
Steedman and including Capt Giles
B. Harber. who was one of the prin
cipal witnesses against Schley before
the recent court of inquiry. promptly
united in protest to Congress
against this proposed action on the
ground that the thanks OF Congress
were reserved for those who have
highly distinguished themselves be-
fore the enemy" and particularly be-
cause the advancement of Sehley and
his associates would work a hardship
upon all the other officers on the ma
val list. Mr., Chandler Immediately
took official cognizance OF the protest
and addressed to each of the signers
a letter asking for an explanation of
mis- action.
In his letter to Rear Admiral Steed-
man. who headed the list, Secretary
Chandler included caustic comment
upon the jealousy of naval officers
AM the evil results which follow an
to belittle the conduct OF
officer. II the words "Greely
reef expedition are changed TO
the battle OF Santiago" the whole
would seem to fit the pres
ent situation. Secretary Chandler
said:
The Greedy relief expedition of
1884 was so meritorious and success
ful as to command the admiration and
applause of the whole civilized world,
1t has reflected honor upon the
American navy and given the service
new and much needed favor in the
hearts of the people, II Is very much
to be regretted that the navy itself
should disparage its own achieve
ments and that you and so many 9TH
pr officers should have seen fit. with
)ut any real necessity and without in,
luiry to learn If there was any cause { i,
formally belittle the one exploit whic.
las in recent years brought the most
'redt upon the service to which you
leIong 1t is by such quick and ag-
sressive jealousics and contentious
lmong naval officers themselves that
he naval establish is brought In
o dsfavor with the nation at large.
In his circular letter to the othe:
igners of the protest Mr.. Chandler ad-
nitted that the right of free petition
O Congress exists on the part of ev-
.ry citizen. but he pointed out that
naval officers. by becoming members I
If a military organization and sub
Getting themselves to all the forms
md requirements of military discip-
inc, are limited in the exercise OF
many of the rights of citizens. these
including prohibition
Lgainst attempting to influence legis-