The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-12

New York, Nov. 1.-THE Sun today
prints the following Washington dis
patch
Secretary Long recently made an in
teresting statement in writing to Presi-
dent Mckinley in regard to the case OF
Rear Admiral schley, which presents
the position Of the navy department
very fully and fairly. 1t was submitted
to the president by Secretary Long,
when he was informed that Baltimore
delegation was coming to interview the
president in Admiral Schleys behalf,
and has not been hitherto published in
English.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures McComas tells
me that gentleman from Baltimore
has expressed in a telegram to him a
desire to have an interview with you,
in order to discuss what is called 1.-The
persecution of Admiral Schley" I think
this refers to persecution on the part
of the navy department.
If such is the case, l wish to state
that this charge is absolutely without
foundation, and so utterly contrary to
the actual facts that I should be glad
to be present when this charge is
raised, in order that 1 may be able to
explain the true facts in the matter
The navy department has from the
very beginning been especially consid-
crate of the officer referred to. When
the flying squadron was formed the de-
partment assigned to him the command
of the same, although Commodore
Schley stood at the foot of the list of
commodores.
You will remember that you yourself
were inclined to demur to the choice
when | mentioned his name This APP
pointment gave him a command which
was especially desirable, and on which
any one OF his seniors would have con-
graduated himself He expressed mar
ticular satisfaction to me when | mott
fled him of the appointment, accepted
1t readily, and manifested pleasure at
the prospect Of this service in Atlantic
waters under the commander-in-chi
When the Spanish fleet, under Ger
vera's command threatened our coasts.
Commodore sSchley was given an on
portunity to go in search of the enemy
with the flying squadron. And here.
again, the department gave him one
of the best chances during the war. and
until June l, when the commander-in-
chiet TOOK charge, he had an entirely in
dependent command.
You know, of course. that during that
period of his Independent command his
conduct was satisfactory neither to Won
nor the department He did not sue
coed in ascertaining whether or not
Cervera was at Cienfuegos, although he
had several days in which to esta hIish
the fact that the Spanish fleet was not
there. 1t was Capt McCalla, who had
subsequently Joined him, who ascer-
tanned this fact, Immediately and with
out trouble
In his subsequent run to Santiago and
his extremely unfortunate rehogradine
maneuVre when he was only 20 miles
distant from the latter harbo1. Com
mander Schley ignored existing instr,Ic-
tons in an unJustifable manner. In
addition to this, there is his cruise TO-
ward Key West, occupying one or two
days, and his assertion that he was
short of coal while the reports show
that all his ships still had coal supplv
sufficient for from six to twelve DAYS,
IL there was enough coal on hand to
steam back hundreds of miles to Kew
west, there must have been sufficient
supply of coal to go to Santiaeo. which
Is further shown by the fact that ba
changed his mind once more. this time
for the better, by going to Santiago If
ter all. q
All these facts show that he-and II
seems to me h ought to have recogt
nized 1t by this t3me-has committed
serious error which, if the tull facts
had been known at that time. would
no doubt have been considered sufficient
ground for relieving him Of his com
mand, or even proceeding against him
in disciplinary manner.
You will remember that Won 1vere
much troubled and grieved when Won
received the news of his retrogradine
maneuvre, which was the only one o1
the part of the navy during the var
But Commander SchIey's independent
command expired about that time and
month later the battle of Santiago in
which he took part, was fought and a
glorious victory won, the department
considered disciplinary proceedings m
necessary.
The department therefore recommend
ed the promotion Of all the commend
ing officers who had taken rarf in tha
battle, and you acted on tho promo-
ton, subject to subsequent contirna-
tiCn by the Senate.
The first promotion was inter, Iel fo.,
the COMMUNICATIVE chief, the sa,ond H.,
Commander Schley etc. Up to mai
time 1t could hardly be said tina. there
wac any persecution, but rather yer,,
coEsiderate coul Sc of action on the nar+
o. the navy department Stree Then
the navy department has taken no A.
tor in this matter, or expressed any,
opinion except on the following occa-
sion:
First, when, in February last the
-