Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-11-16
THE CASE OF ADMIRAL SCHLEY.


Washington. Nov. 11.-Secretary Long
recently made an intcro sting statement to
President Mckinley in regard to the case
of Rear Admiral SChlcy which presents
The position of the navy department very
fully ana fairly. The more important
parts of it are follows:-
Mr.. Prcsidcut:-Scnator McComas tells
me that a gentleman from Baltimore has
oppressed in a telegram to him a desire to
have an interview with you in order TO
discuss what is called The persecution of
Admiral Schley.' I think this refers TO
persecution on the part of the navy de-
Iartmt,t If such is the case | wish 10
state that this charge is absolutely with
out foundation and so utterly contrary to
The actual facts that | should be glad to
be present when this charge is raised in
order that | may be able to explain the
true facts in the matter.
The navy department has from the
very beginning been especially consider
at, of the officer referred to. When the
llYing squadron was formed the depart
m,nt assigned to him the command of the
same, although Commodore SChlcy stood
at the foot of the list of commodores You
will remember that you, yourself were in
clined to demur to the choice when I men
toned his name This appointment gave
him command which was especially de-
.rab.e, aud on which any one of his SEN
iors would have congratulated himself.
lie expressed particular satisfaction TO
me when ! notified him Of the appoint
mcnt accepted it readily, and manifest
cd pleasure at the prospect of this service
Ii Atlantic waters under the commander
in-Chief.
when the Spanish fleet under Cervera $
command threatened our coasts. Commo-
dorc Sch.ey was given an opportunity to
10 in search of the enemy with the Flying
squadron. And here again the department
save him one of the best CHARGES during
the war, and until June 1, when the COM
Iuandcr-in-oh ief took charge, he had an
entirely Independent command. You
know of course, that during that period
of his independent command his conduct
was satisfactory neither TO you nor tie
department Ho did not succeed in asccr-
t4inirg whether or not CerVcra was at
CientuegoS although he had several days
i'm which to establish the fact that the
spanish fleet was not there. 1t was Capt.
McCalla, who had subsequently, joined
him. who ascertainod this fact immediate
Iy and without any trouble. IN his suhsC-
qUent run to Santiago and his extreme y
unfortunate and unnecessary retrcating
manocuVre, when he was only twerty
miles distant from the latter harbor
Commodore Schley ignored existing in
StructiOnS in a uniustiiiabc manner. In
addition to this, there Is his cruise toward
Icy West, occupy ing one or two days, and
his assertion that he was short of coal
had coal supply sufficient for from sis
10 twelve days. If there was enough Goa
On hand to steam back 100 miles to Key
West there must have been sufficient sup
ply Of coal to 20 to Santiago. which is fur
her shown by The fact that he changed
ais mind once more, this time for the bet
Ter, by going to Santiago after all.
An these facts show that hc-aud II
Iecmf TO me h" ought to nave rccoGnizod
by lhis timo-has committed serious
'rror, which, if the full facts had h, en-
kn1wn at hat time would no doubt have
0cen considered sufficient ground for re.
ieVinG him of his command. or cVou pro-
ceeding against him in disciplinary man.
ncr. You will rcmcmboQ that Nol
were much troubled and grieyed when yol
received the peWS Of his retreating man
oeuVre, during the war. But as commo
dorc Schlcy's Independent command cx,
pired about that time, ANA a month latci
tn" battle of Santiago, in which M too
part, was fought and "A glorious victor,
won, the department considered disclpli
nary proc e"dngs unnecessary The de
partment therefore recommended the pro
motion Of all the commanding officers win,
mad taken part i'm the battle, and you act
81 on the promotion, subject to subseduen
confirmation by the Senate. The FIRST pro
motion was intended for the commander
in-chief, the second for Commodoi,
SChley, etc.
UP to that time ii could hardly be sal,
that there vas any persecution, bur lath
er very considerable course OF action OF
the part Of the navy department. Slno
then the navy department has taken n,
action In this matter except that II Ia
assigned to Admiral Schey such work n
would properly fall to an officer of hi
or superior rank In any ordinary sea ser
vice. He has also been given every op
portunity to appear before The public IA
mlral schley has no ground for complaint
nor has he ever made a complaint. Shoul