The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-07
THE BROOKLYN'S LOOP"
Clear Statement of What That Fa-
nous Movement Meant.

New York Evening Post.
In the discussion of the Brooklyn's 'loop'
we fear that Colonel Roosevelts own inn
pulsive valor has led him to overlook the
real motive and justification of that sheer
ing movement. 1t was in evidence before
the court of inquiry that both Captain
Cook and Admiral Schley had coolly and
deliberately determined to prevent the
Brooklyn from getting disabled early in
the battle much will depend upon this
ship to-day" was the burden of their
thoughts as they saw the supposedly swift
Spanish cruisers coming out, with the New
York away, the Massachusetts coaling at
Guantanamo, the Iowa foul-bottomed and
slow, the Indiana with crippled machinery,
and realized that the Brooklyn could alone
be counted on to hang upon the flank of
the fleeing Spaniards If they once got clear.
We have always believed, therefore, that
the commander of the Brooklyn showed
true comprehension of the situation, as
everybody supposed il to be, when he re-
solved to keep his speedy cruiser out of a
melee at close quarters, in which she might
be smashed, and allow the enemy to out
foot the other American vessels. That it
was mistake in judgment TO turn to the
east, thus endangering the Texas, rather
than to the west, may freely be conceded,
but the movement away from the Spanish
ships We think to have been strategically
sound.
1t was not a question of danger" which
the President says must not be "too nicely
weighed by those whose trade it is to dare
greatly for the honor of the flag" 1t was
simply a question of making the fastest
ship tell most powerfully in the long issues
of dubious fight. The President apparent
ly thinks that Schley should have initiated
Wainwright, who drove his fragile craft
against the foe But the cases were
very different. The Gloucester might have
been sunk without endangering the out
come; if the Brooklyn had been RASH
ly put out OF the fight, the Colon
at least might have escaped. There
is such thing impetuous valor swell
ing into fault. There is such a thing as
the mad cry of Cyrus. Il see the man"
with a passionate rush at the foe which
loses life and the battle at once. To dare
greatly for the flag may be to dare to
keep your head in an emergency and to
husband your striking power for the critical
moment. If the Brooklyn had dashed for
ward and been rafnmed or tQrpedoed early
in the fight, it would have been magnificent.
but il would not have been war. No, ii
would not really have been magnificent.
simply because II would not have been
war As much as this we think il only just
10 say upon a point which really has very
little to do with the true case against
Schley, but which has been raised to fresh
interest by the Presidents discussion of it.
and by his apparent belief that the only
standard by which to judge a commander
is that of headlong courage.
III Ills mann lpOSt W put an emu 10 the
Schley agitation, it is TO be hoped that the
President will have the approval and CO.
operation OF all. Nothing is to be gained by
anybody, politically or personally, by con-
tinued halooing on this subject. Congress
can do nothing, press and public can do
nothing, except further to eXacerbate the
situation and further discredit the navy.
Admiral Schey may continue on his travels
if his own sense Of propriety does not re-
strain him; and grocery-store disputants
may argue the wearisome old case over
rest Of u.s. let US decently inter the dead
controversy and turn to living questions.