Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-07-26
Court Of Inquiry to be Appointed

court OF inquiry 10 ne appointed
The decision Of Admiral Schley to
demand court Of inquiry in order that
public and thorough investigation may
be made into the nature Of the charges
against him and as to their business is
a wise move aud one to which nobody
can take exception,
II believe said the Admiral, that the
first step should be an investigation Of
all matters by a court Of inquiry and
civil action aiterward
The vile, malicious and uncalled for
attack made upon Admiral Scbley by
the alleged historian Msclay with the
approval Of Admiral Sampson, VINO was
commander in chief Of the NORTH
Atlantic Squadron during the Spanish
War, makes it impossible for the
Admiral to longer bear the burden ei
Opprohrium that has been hespcd upon
hin.for more than these years Like an
honest man and courageous officer, he
has decided to challenge, in his eager
ness to fully vindieate himself, tho very
people who have been most instrument
al 10 villifyiDg him.
The Court of inquiry to investigate
the charges will probably be composed
of Admiral Dewey, rs presiding officer
WIN TWO rsssrsii-'s9,cers OF the Ntvy
DC Investigation by Sehley's Cour' q
inquiry which will not be held unal the
pr misses to overshadow in importance
every similsr tribunal in the history of
either the army or the navy, with the
possible exception of the Court called to
inquire into the destruction OF the battle
ship Maine. The high rank Of til
officers involved in the controversy, the
intense public feeling aroused, the pos
sibility of exposing a conspiracy il the
Navy Department, combine to make q
dramatic interest in the result Of the
proceedings
Secretary Long will summon the
court in the noar future and the same
will be held publicly in Washington
where most of the papers and principal
data is to be found When the court
convenes the Secretary will set forth the
matters to be invest gated which will in
all probability be the following:
did Admiral Schley unnecessarily
delay his departure from Cienfugos for
Santiago dc Cuba, where he was advised
that the Spanish feet had taken REFUGEE
WAS Admiral SchleY guilty Of re-
prohensible conduct in issuing orders
fer and starting with the squadron under
his command for Key West, after having
arrived south of Santiago dc Cuba2
IF not guilty Of reprchensible con
duet, did be not commit grave error Of
judgment?
Was Admiral Schley justified in
bombarding the haibOr of Santiago after
he finally reached that point, at range
Of more that Eve miles1
WAS Admiral Schley's conduct dur
ing tho battle of Santiago characterized
by cowsrdice?"
It is 10 be hoped that Secretary Long
viii instruct the court to go mos, thor
Oughly into the matters he sets forth for
investigation II the court should think
that Admiral Sohley IS to blsme. the
opinion will be placed upon record. 1.-THE
court finds that the Admiral is not guilty
Of reprehcnsble conduct the court will
so declare and the defendant will be vim
dieatcd which Admiral Sehieys friends
throughout the whole Union are con-
fdent will be the result The Admiral
will then 60 into the civil courts for far
thoi redress and viii hav, a strong case
against Mselay the author Of the alleged
History Of the United Suites Navy
which is now being used as a text book
By tho cadets at the Naval Academy
Annapolis
The controversy in question could
not be tried by Court Martial since
Congress passed an act in S95 declaring
that court martial could only be held two
years after the occurrence under investi-
CATION This is known as the naval
statute Of limitation anu while it pre-
vents court martial relating to the
Santiago Campaign. it does not bar the
court of inquiry which is effective, in
establishing records
l. remains to be seen whether the
Navy Department, which is Of an anti
Schlcy sentiment, will, do the right
thing in this mstte-. 1t is gratifying,
however, to know that matters not what
may be the result of the court of inquiry
it will not interfere with Congressional
investigation which the Maryland dele
CATION will urge and insist upon if
necessary in order to have fairness and