Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-05
MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 3, 1909.

battle of Santiago, Cuba, died at Puerto
Real, Spain, Saturday afternoon lie
was born on February Is, 1889; was
graduated from the naval academy OF
San Fernando; was commanded to fer
sign service in 1859 and in 1862 vas at
tached to the Spanish legation in Wash
ineton. He was 8 gallant officer, brave
sailor, a fighter, statesman and 8
courteous gentleman, aud though beaten
IN hattie be won the admiration OF the
wotld. For several years Spain had
counted him her foremost naval COM
mandsr as we'll as leader 10 affairs OF
atsts. and when resort was had to arms
n settle the Spauish-Americau differ
epces he was placed in command OF the
aset which the Spanish government
,ntsuded should ravage the Atlantic
eosst of the United States. OerVera
knsw that to attempt such an nudertak'
ing would be folly. He had repeatedly
warned his government that Its CAM
,aion must be defensive or it would
necessarily be disastrous. But his sd-
vice was ignored. Oervera was long
headed. a fsr.seeing psu. He was old
10 his experience of modern naval wSr-
fare and had studied the navieS OF for
eigu powers as had no other man IN biz
country. Himself an architect and con-
structor of warshipS, he realized the
needs and defects Of the ships he was
called upon to lead out to battle to th'
foil and pleaded with the minister Of
marine to go to any reasonable length
to sppesse the United States. "For,"
he added oniuously, "shOuld we go TT
war we shall be overwhelmed" Oervers
was the most sstonished man in the
Spanish navy when be was ordered to
sail forth and meet the sea power OF the
United States, but he obeyed order', al
though bis feet was short OF coal and
rauons. the bottoms OF some OF the ships
were foul, the armament was obsolete or
defective and the equipment generally
speaking, about as poor IS could well be
imagined. Before sailing from the Capt
Verde Islands, the admiral called 8
council Of war, and sent the following
telegram to Madrid:
1t Is impossible to give you any ides
of the surprise aud stupefacion oil every
body on receipt Of your orders to sail
OF a truth, this surprise Is we'll justified,
for from this expedition nothing can be
expected but the distraction of the feet
or its return In q democrat zsd condition,
while, if brought back toSpain, 1t might
safeguard the country
On April "a he addressed to Madrid,
also from the Cape Verde Islands, last
Telegram in which, abiding to the de-
cisioh of the councils of sdmirsls, he
said. 81 20 to the sacrifice with my con-
science at rest, but / cannot understand
the decision taken by the general officers
of the navy, 10 spite Of my opinion"
Had CeIvtra been allowed to have hif
way the Cape Verde heet-the feet that
Admiral Sehley destroyed of the hsrbor
OF Santiago de Ouba-would have been
placed upon q much more effective war
footing and the results might have been
serious to the Uuitsd States, although
they could not have been different.
Handicapped IS he was, he made a
brave fight and was not taken prisoner
uutiI Bis feet was helpless. He sailed
from the Cspe Verde Islands with four
cruisers and three torpedo boat destroy
ers April, 1898, entered the harbor Of
Santiago de Cuba May 10, aud lost his
entire feet eff hat port July 3 in an a.
tempt to force his way through Admiral
blocEsdiug squadron. When
Cervera was hauled out of the
sea on that day after the destruction OF
his fleet, he wss regarded by the Ameri-
can people as hero second only to their
own lighters. He was brought to the
United States prisoner of war and held
q atil september, when he was sent back
TO Spain. At the time Of the sinking Of
the Merrimac by Capt. Hobson In q
fruitless attempt to block Santiago har-
blr, aud the capture of Hobson aud his
men, Admiral Oervers offered to exchange
men. 1t was his generous treatment OF
Hobson and his men that laid the foun'
da.ion for Oeryera's popularity In Amer
lea. Although whipped at sea, Admiral
Csryera conquered his captors by his
snd gracious personality, his
dignity, cCmposure and kind
ness Of heart, and he carried back with
him to Spain the cordial respect and
good wishes Of all the American people. |
His reception in his native land was not
a pleasant one, for he was blamed for
the defeat, aud while he escaped severe
punishment after a court-msrtisl, he re-
manned a disappointed man. Later,
however, Spain paid him honor by max
log him vice admiral and life senator.