Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1902-02-28
;gashingtuu STANDARD
OLYMPIA, WASH.
FRIDAY EVENING, February Is, 1902.
AS Was Expected.

As Was Expected.
The findings of President Roosevelt
in the Schley appeal, are given in full
in this issue OF the STANDARD so as to
show the best possible attempt that
can he made to rob the hero of San.
tiago OF his well-earned laurcls. 1t
might be as we'll TO assert. at the out
set, that nobody ever believed for an
instant that the impulsive nature Of
the man in the White House could
ever arise to the supreme test OF doing
justice to one who he imagines may
possibly some day cross his present
ambition to be elected President of
the United States. although it is doubt.
ful If the opposite course would not
have served his selfish nature a much
better purpose. There is nothing like
martyrdOm to inspire courage and in.
fuse confidence into the efforts of a
people who imagine that their idol has
been wronged, and the persistently
gross and cruel assaults upon Admiral
Schley, ever since the memorable en-
gagement with Cervera's fleet, surely
embrace all the characteristics OF mar.
tyrdom-a patient submission to the
most bitter OF persecution for prin-
ciple's sake; and it was only when for
bearance ceased to be virtue, and q
tool of the sffete naval clique at Wash
ington-historian Maclay-attempted
to emblazon on the pages of history
such vile epithets as "cartiff" and
coward" that he was compelled to
fight for the good name already won.
Mr.. Roosevelt is not at all consistent
in his statements. While compliment
ing Admiral Sampson for the effec.
tiveness of the blockade of Santiago,
he censures Admiral Schley for fail.
ure to enforce An efficient night block.
ade OF the same port. Either the
blockade was efficient or it was not
and it seems that the unqualified en-.
dorsement of its complete efficiency
should bar him from making an ex.
ception solely to lower public conf.
dence in the competency, or courage
OF schley. But it will be noted that
the latter commander is held respou.
sible for every detail the President
considers of doubtful utility, while foz
everything commendable he piles
credit upon Sampson and others.
The President does not claim that
Sampson was more than technically in
command, but that was sufficient, he
holds, to accord him the big sack oil
prize-money, while the honors of the
conflict he generously holds, to deprive
Schley of them. should 60 to the cap
tains in the fight. Schley. he main
tains, did NO more than the others,
and absolutely less than Wainwright
did, in his management of the con.
verted yacht Gloucester. He notes
the fact that Sampson's flagship re.
turned just rs the smoke of battle was
clearing up. and that he actually fired
two shots and signaled the Indiana
but Schley. who was for . couple
OF hours under deadly fire, and who
gave the signals "Clear ship" and
"Close In" and started the blaze Of
hell which resulted in total destruc-
ton Of the Spanish feet, is subordi.
nate to the commander of the Glou.
cestor in award of honors!
At the beginning and in closing the
Presidential statement, Mr.. Roosevelt
seems 20 anxious to shield himself be.
hind the act of the dead President in
awarding honors technically, before
the acts Of the navy clique had be-
come 20 Aagrant 40 TO call for an in.
vestigatiou, that one is inclined ia
doubt the stories Of his courage ~ .
Rough Rider, or his proves as hunt.
Of in the wilds Of the Rocky noun.
tains. What President Mckinley did
was merely the perfunctory act Of the
Executive, on findings laid before him
by the Secretary Of the Navy, or posi-.
bly, some clerk under the immediate
control Of the clique. shown to exist by
the evidence before the late Commits
sion OF Inquiry. Il will be observed
that no more credit is given Schley
anywhere, than what 10 deemed neces-
sary to avert the storm Of protest that,
notwithstanding that precaution, has
arisen. The most is made of the
loop" although it il conceded that
it did not detract from tho efficiency
Of the ships service, leaving the i'm
partial reader to imagine the serious
consequences that might have resulted
from the maneuver, under less propi-
tious circumstances.
No mention 10 made of the fact that
ct the close Of the battle the gallant
men Of the feet had no trouble in rec.
ognizing the true commander, and
that salvo upon salvo of cheers greet
ed the intrepid hero. who Was in the
fight from start to finish. Sampson'a
boorish conduct under this demonstra-
ton was m indication that he realized
the true situation, and that he was
filled with envy and malice. This was
20 marked that Schley, in the gamer.
osity OF his soul, declared that there
was "glory enough for ALL"
Roosevelt will realize in the course
OF time that the matter will not be
dismissed as be suggests should be
done. II is not ghost that will down