Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-08
LONG TO SAMPSON.
tContinucd from page ~

blockading squadron bur one inaccu-
rate.
We are ready To sho1y under the
navy regulations and judicial interpre-
tons thereof Rear Admiral Sampson
was during the battle in command Of
every single vessel III the American
line. There is-abundanGe Of testimony
available TO show. that at the beginning
Of the battle every American vessel ct
Santiago was IN sight of the New York.
Ihere is evidence at hand, both record
ana oral, TO show that whenever the
commandments left the blockading
lire in front of Santiago. he l,oisted the
signal disregard movements of COM
mciider- chief proceeded 10 that
point where, under the regulations his
Immediate command Of the squadron
ceased and then signalled 10 the next
in rank 10 take command and on the
morning or July 3. the conmandcr-in-
chief had given instructions 10 have
ready Tor hosting the signal directing
Commodore Schiey to assume COM
mand; that this signal was 10 be hoist
ed when under the regulations the ap-
prCpriate moment arrived. That the
moment had not arrived and that such
signal had not been hoisted when the
enemy endeavored To escape from the
arbor.
From The Oregon, too. there is avail
able evidence 10 show that when the
first shot was fired the quartermaster
Of the Oregon, using the long glass, ii
is said. from the position of that vessel
near the center of the line, read the
New York's battle signals then flying.
All this evidence was ready to be
presented TO the court Of inquiry and
1t is ready 10 be presented 10 YOU. II
was not admitted before the court be-
cause IL refused 10 90 into the question
oc command
Rear Admiral Sampson has never
objected and does not now object 10 M
inquiry TO determine the question 81
command. He has, however. reported
that he was in command ut that battle.
As comma nder-i chief he has made
his recommendations concerning pro.
command. He has. however. reported
executive and judicial departments o.
the government as being in command
and he asks that when the ;iyc ursicy O.
his reports is questioned. he he at leas.;
permitted to hear the evidence in oppo-
sition and to permit his brother Off
GERS to come forward with the test.
mony they are ready to give in his be-
half
There is further an abundance If
evidence available To establish the fact
that what the applicant now calls The
complete and total failure of the prear-
ranged order of battle was due wholly
to his disobedience of the orders Of the
comnander-in-chfef. These orders
were 10 close in and To hold the enemy
at the harbor's mouth Commodore
Schley 50 understood the orders. He
hoisted that very Signal Yet when he
saw the. enemy approaching that part
of the line guarded by his own vessel
he topped. He withdraw from the bat
'tle formation left d hole in the line. m
terfered with the Texas which wodi6
nave stopped the gap and caused nel
to back. thereby giving to the enemy
the double opportunity Of which they
availel ihemselves--to escape through
the interval he had ,nade.
We have no desire 10 pro.org This
controversy. we only ask before there
shall he a finding adverse TO ..i:nira
Sampson either by the President, ihe
courts Oh the navy department that he
be given the opportunity which has
been given To Admiral Schiey to pre-.
sent such evidence as may make botf
sides of the matter clear.
Very respectfully,
STATION AND CAMPBELL AND Z.
s. THEALI.,
Counsel for Rear Admiral W T.
Sampson"
The President will consider the brief
in connection with Admiral Schley's
appeal to the navy departments COM
ment. President Roosevelt's decision In
the Schley case will not he made public
until after his return from Charleston.