The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-12
II, tho Navy to Be DiseracedY

Some days ago there was published, In q
German newspaper OF Milwaukee, the CON-
munication which the Secretary OF the
Navy addressed to President MCKINLEY,
in connection with q request made from
various sources for greater favor to Rear
Admiral ScHLEY. Yesterday II was printed
in The Sun and made the wretched story
OF that officer still moro glaring in It's
contradiction OF all naval standards.
Without repeating the details OF 1t which
appeared, with freshened and added
emphasis. in Mr.. LoSG's statement, we
shall give again the Secretary's crushing
conclusion In reply to the charge Of the
Schey party that tho official criticisms
OF him had been persecution:
1T Is not conceivable that any naval sniesr poe
,essing . sense Of honor should for moment suffer
criticism to say nothing o. persccutio n the part
" any authority over him. without iminedI,tly
calling for an invsstgauon. Admiral scHLEr has
had many years ore hence in the naval profession
and has met with every considsr,t on from this De-
psrtmsnt ThsrsfcrO. 'he fact that he has accepted
our course Of action without any demur 10 q clear
proof that he Ii entirely 'stsAed with H. at least
that he deems II Just and consderate and has NO
causs for com plant
~ may be that the Navy DEPARTMENT has made
some mistake in this matter, tut there Be NO
question Of any persecution"
1t Is not conceivable. to use Mr.. LoSos
| words, that ANY naval officer possessing
a sense OF honor should for moment
| suffer criticism on the part OF any authority
over him without Immediately calling for
nm investigation" The fact that ScHLEY
has avoided calling for an investigation
proves that neither Is the sense OF honor
In him nor dare he face the charges lying
against him before jury OF his peers.
Storm as much az the Scheyites will,
these are the hard facts.
Now, in view OF tho facts 80 prominently
| recorded In SCHLEY's case, II will always
be tho cause OF extreme regret that his
supcrlors have suffered him to remain on
the footing of officers whose name and
fame are without cloud. 1t Ia not yet too
late, though, to remedy the mistake sug-
gested by Mr.. Lone. and SCHLEYs receipt
OF orders to take command Of the South
Atlantic station makes the demand for the
remedy all the more urgent.
! An ofIlcerlike SCHLEY abroad Ia n different
| person from what he Is at home. In other
! lands there Is no anti Administration
| party or antl-Long party or ant-Sampson
| party or Maryland party or any sort OF
/ hystcrIa or drlusion to ignore the facts
| concerning him, or to cover his faults
with abuse Of other men, or smear its hands
( with tho dishonor that attaches to him.
| ScHLEY will he Judged by his performances
| az they have been written down in the
! official history Of the Spanish war. and by
! the sense OF personal honor which Is de-
/ manded OF its officers by every arm-bearing
! service in the civilized world; and, unless
! the United States Navy Ia to be dedicated
formally to cowardice and hascness, the
man OF whom tho Secretary Of the Nays
: words Just quoted can be uttered brings
disgrace upon the Navy wherever he may
/ appear rs its representative,
| The history OF SCHLEY, In the official
! record, could serve as textbook for no
7 class in naval studies without compelling
! IN" professional conclusion that he was I'M
! tit and also undeserving to command And
! SCHLEY stands on the books OF the Govern
mont convicted Of a lie
Never before were foreign navy men
/ brought into contact with an American
officer of that stamp. Never was the Amerl-
| can Navy represented In foreign waters by
such captain. $cHLEY's friends point to
the fact that. instead Of being court-msE-