Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-02-26


way passed to him by reason of Samp-
sons distance from the scene of the ac-
tual fighting Therefore Sampson must
stand in history as the responsible COM
mander.
As to the question of credit for the bat
tie independent OF the question of tech
nical command, the President holds that
Sampson must have frst-credit because
of his excellent blockade and his respon-
sibility. Sampson commanded the feet
and Schley the western division. But in
the Presidents opinion neither is entitled
to credit for meritorious or important
service in the battle itself.
THE actual fact, the important fact"
says the President, SIS that after the bat
tie was Joined not helm was shifted,
not gun was fired, not a pound of steam
was put on in the engine room aboard
any ship actively engaged in obedience to
the order of either Sampson or Schey,
save on their own two vessels. 1t was
a captains fight.
Verdict Is Sustained.
President Roosevelt sustains the YER
dict Of the court of inquiry, which he
declares was unanimous in its findings
on all important points. This leaves the
censure unanimously passed by the court
standing of full force upon the records
While the President does not upset the
verdict of the court in any particular, he
points out that all of Schley's alleged
derelictions while in command of the fly
ing squadron were in effect condoned by
his superiors at the time. Thus dismiss
~ Of fbo ha NJ
to the battle.
He points out that the questions of
command in the battle and of credit for
part in the battle were not raised before
the court. but were ruled out unani-
mously. The majority of the court act
ed with entire propriety in not express
ing any opinion on these points"
But Admiral Dewey having raised this
new question, though it was not investi-
gated by the court of which he was presi
dent, and Schley having made it the chief
subject of his appeal, the President de-
voted most of his memorandum to it,
with the result as already stated.
Hence Admiral Schley has lost ground
as result of his appeal to the President.
The court decided unanimously against
him ON o.her questions. and the Presi-
dent permits their decision to stand.
Dewey was for him on this question of
command. the other two admirals being
silent and public opinion was very large
~ inclined to follow Dewey. Now the
President definitely decides against
Dewey. Thus new question, not CON
sidered by a majority of the court. is
now settled by the commander-in-chiefo of
the military forces Of the nation. and set
tied u.fayorably to the contentious of
Admiral Schley.
Loop Was Blunder.
The most sensational paragraph of the
Presidents memorandum is that in when
he refers to the famous loop of the
Brookly,. during the battle. 1t contains
q plain intimaton that in the Presidents
opinion Commodore Schley was at that
moment afraid to run closer to the enemy.
He significantly holds Schley's conduct
at this juncture in contrast with that of
Wainwright. The Presidents language
is as follows:
Admiral Schley is rightly entitled-as
is Captain Cookie the credit of what
the Brooklyn did in the fight On the
whole, she did well; but | agree with
the unanimous finding of the three ad
mirais who composed the court of inquiry
as to the loop 1t seriously marred the
Brooklyn's otherwise excellent record, be
ing in fact the one grave mistake made
nv Iry American ship Tia day. Had
the Brooklyn turned to the westward,
tn2t is, in the same direction that the
Spanish ships were going, instead of IN
the contrary direction, she would I'M
doubtedly have been in more dangerous
proximity to them. But it would have
been more dangerous for them, as well
as for her This kind of danger must
not be too nicely weighed by those whose
trade it is to dare greatly for the honor
of the flag. Moreover, the danger was
certainly not rs great as that which. in
the self-same moment menaced Vain
wrights fragile craft as he drove forward
against the foe 1t was not. in my judg-
nIent, as great as the danger to which the
Texas was exposed by the turn as ac-
tually made 1t certainly caused both
the Brooklyn and the Texas materially to
lose position compared to the fleeing
Spanish vessels. But after the loop had
once been taken Admiral Schley handled
the Brooklyn manfully and we'll"
In one other particular Admiral Schley
loses ground as result Of his appeal to
the President The court of inquiry pass
cd no Judgment upon the character Of the
night blockade which Schley maintained
at Santiago before the arrival OF Samp-
son. and in his appeal the admiral com
planned because the court had not passed
upon that point. The President does
pass upon it. saying most pointedly that
in his opinion the court should have con
demned the failure to enforce an efficient
night blockade"
Refuses TO Bar Ont Trusts.
The Maryland house OF delegates. bv