The sun., 1908-01-09
Let Congress Ascertain the Facts

1t begins to appear that in dealing with
the Brownson case the President has
excelled all previous achievements in
missing--or deliberately perverting the
facts Of history. His second letter. Of
January 4. is a triumph Of Juggling and
only le 8 remarkable as an effectual extin-
gusher of all truth really bearing on the
controversy.
Let us pass over with as little nausea
as may be possible the plain intimatiOn
that Admiral BRowNsoN has been con-
tumacious, actually insubordnate. His
letter Of resignation, inadvertently
withheld until the Presidents fulmina-
tions could reach and saturate the public
mind, discloses no faintest hint Of revolt
or disrespect. Finding himself dis
cordant note in the Roosevelt -Rixey
symphony, an obstacle to the harmoni-
Gus process Of naval eXaltation, a dis
covered delinquent who had forfeited
the confidence Of his Chieftainj, !, he ten
dered his resignation as the only expedi-
ent of Difference within his reach. To
accuse him of ~disobedience of orders"
is extravagantly absurd. What order,
we should like TO know, could the Pres-
dent or the Secretary issue in the case
unless il were an order To the effect that
BRowNsoN should change his private
opinions formed on the basis of more
than Orty years of faithful service? 1t
was within the Presidents power to
nulliHy his resignation. He had exercised
the same power within a week OF two
under much more questionable cir
cIImstances. BRowNsoN could have re-
manned in charge Of the Bureau Of
Navigation without mourning the small
est provocation to a clash. He would
not have been called upon 10 issue orders
and thereby lend his coUntenance TO the
proposed absurdity. The law requires
the Secretary of the Navy to assume
responsibility in such matters. BRowN-
SON might easily have held on, enjoyed
his comfortable extra pay, and not once
have had to compromise with conscience.
He rendered his resignation. therefore,
in a spirit of the most obvious respect
and courtesy.
As for the Presidents arguments" in
support Of his most mischievous and un-
fortunate action, they are hardly worthy
Of serious notice. As we have already
shown, his statement that the hospital
ship Of the Mississippi Iduring the civil
warl was under command Of a feet sur
geon, is utterly inaccurate His refer
ences TO hospital transports and hospital
boats" not only in 1885, but in 1903, go
wide Of the mark since those were mat
ters Of the army and not the navy. He
quotes: AT present two pay officers are
serving in naval hospitals under the COM
mand Of medical officers Of the navy, y
but he does not tell US where those hos
pitals are or explain the circumstances
under which-supposing the story to be
true-suoh conditions have obtained.
Another reference is still more childish:
. On yet another occasion. but for the vigilance
Of the msdical oficer aboard her the solace would
have carried armed men from New York to Cuba.
Her senior medical ohcer reported the violation Of
neutrality to the Navy Department ana the ship
was recalled after passing through the Nsrovs
aud the armed men removed"
The line officer commanding the Sol
ace was simply obeying orders from
Washington--doing exactly what Mr..
ROOSEVELT 40 uproariously approves.
The armed men we're landed by the same
authority. Perhaps that vigilant medical
officer was unduly exercised Perhaps.
again, the facts are not as stated, and
in any event they are without present
significance.
Finally. the President is in a great
state OF mind over the preservation Of
neutrality In the case of hospital ships.
We wonder whether he knows what the
Hague conference ruled in that par
ticular case. But IL were almost sacri-
legicus to suppose that be does know.