The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-24
From, IA. Bo,to, Herald Of Jun. 20.

The last episode In the so-caed Schey con-
troversy is one which. we regret to say reflects
adversely upon that Admiral. In fact, the incl
dent Ia one which brings Admiral Schley under
a charge looked upon among gentlemen rs in
the highest degree discreditabe: that Is. the
charge OF dishonesty. A statement was printed
in one OF the New York papers purporting to be
the reproduction OF a conversation that took
place between Admiral Schley and Lieu
tenant Commander Hodgson. at critical
stage IN the naval battle off Santiago. The
dialogue made it appear that Admiral schley
wished to have his vessel. the Brooklyn.
taken further out OF range OF the Spanish war
ships. even though by so doing he ran the risk
OF coming into collision with another ship OF
his own fleet. Admiral Schley procured from
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson a denial OF
the accuracy OF this conversation. which
made IL appear that the conversation never
occurred. and that the entire incident OF his
giving orders t. have the course OF the Brooklyn
changed to take her into less ex posed position
was a fiction OF the imagination.
But the official inquiry now made establishes
the fact that this incident did occur; that the
conversation first reported was in substance
correct. and that at the time. although he may
now regret it. Admiral Schley was not DESTROYS
OF coming within close range OF the Spanish
warshps.
The deceptive use made by Admiral Schley OF
Lieutenant Commander Hodsson's letter Is
| something which is usually characterized in
business life as sharp practice. but 1t Is COM
monty supposed that practice OF this kind 10
not permitted in the army and navy. but that.
on the other hand. a high ethical code is in
sisted upon as essential to the morale OF the
service.
Under such construction OF official pro-
n,tn 10 80, a Goll l.
damaged himself In an irretrievable manner.
From the Rochester Herald Of June Re.
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson who was
navigator Of the Brooklyn and stood near Ad-
mira Schey during the battle. has several
times made the statement that the turn OF the
! Brooklyn away from the Spanish ships was
made upon the Admiral's order. and that when
he demonstrated that the turn would endanger
collision with the Texas the Admiral said that
she must look out for herself. HodRson. who
was prevailed upon by Schley to write denial
of a version Of this conversation, which was
published in THE Sun, now states to Capt
Chadwick that the conversation occurred in
| effect as stated.
Admiral Schlcy denies that any such CONVEX
| sation occurred. An issue Of veracity Is thus
| raised between Schey and Hodgson. and az
| the formers naval fame will be largely lnflu
| enced by the way this Issue Is decided In the
public mind. it is incumbent upon Rear Admi-
ral Schley to demand a court Of inquiry. which
shall forever settle whether or not the Brook
| lyn's retreat-for that Is what her turn really
amounted to-was in pursuance OF his orders OF
! OF some other PERSONS. 1t is needless to say
that Schley would go into such court OF in
! quiry with every chance against him. for the
| turn is admitted by everybody on the Brook
Ign. and the whole feet saw it, and IL could not
| have been made without Schley's taclt consent
| at least.
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson is an officer
| Of very great ability and OF that bluff. brusQue
manner which is not often associated with de-
liberate falsehood When he says that Schey
ordered the turn. most people who are ac-
quainted with the two men will be disposed to
accept the statement as final