The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-14

lerized by vacillaton. dilatOrineSs and
lack of enterprise, that his official re-
ports on the coal supply were mis-
3 leading and inaccurate, that his conduct
during the battle was self possessed
and that he encouraged in his own
person his subordinate officers and
men.
Admiral Dewey in his report says
that the passage to CienfuegOs was
made with all dispatch, that in view of
his coal supply the blockade of Glen.
fucgos was effective. that he allowed
the Adula to enter Cienfuegos to get
infol nation, that his passage to San.
tago was with as much dispatch as
possible, keeping the squadron togeth-
er; that the blockade Of Santiago was
effective and, finally, that he was the
senior officer off Santiago, in absolute
command. and entitled to the credit
due for the glorious victory which re-
suited in the total destruction Of the
Spanish ships.
1t Is recommended that, In view of
the length of time which has elapsed
since the occurrence of the events of
the Santiago campaign, no further pro.
ceedings be had in the premises.
A STATEMENT OF FACTS,
The flying squadron, consisting of the
Brooklyn. Massachusetts. Texas and scor-
pton, under the command Of Commodore
w 9. eohiey. U. q. NJ. pailed from Key
West about a. m. Of May 10, AS9S, with
orders from the navy department and
from the commander in chief Of the norti,
Atlantic station 10 proceed with dispatch
'(utmosD of Cisnfuegos, to capture the en-
emy off that port II possible or to block
ade him and to maintain the blockade US
close as possible
The flying squadron arrived off Clenfue-
Eos on the morning of May 22 and estab-
lished a blockade. During the day the
ships lay of the port at various distances
~ no particular order. At night they
formed In column of vessels. headed Off
shore, and moved at only sufficient speel
for keeping positions The small vessels
performed picket duty inshore of the large
ships.
Commodore Schley did not proceed with
utmost digpatch off Cienfucgos and block
ade that port as close as possible.
At 10 O'Clock a. m. May % the Dupont
arrived at Cienfuegos with dispatch
from the commander in chief, dated Kew
West, May 20, 1898. which informed Com
modore Schey Of the probability of the
Spanish squadron being In Santiago de
Cubd and ordered him to hold Cienf,legos
until the receipt of more positive Informal
ton
At go D. IN. May 90 the Iowa arrived
pt c. AfueGos, and at p. nj. of the same
dat Sp0rninD Iaf. f,p IN,
tias'.
IT 10 Of May % Commodore Schley ve-
""'r q by the dispatch vessel Hawk the
~ 'ns dispatch and memorandums
Gn' he commander In chief:
~ ntch mo 81. dated Key West May
a. 3. which states that the Spanish
sn on was probably ut Santiago and
or ID Commodore Schley, If he was sat
IL, ! that the Spanish squadron was not
u 'enfuegos. to proceed with all dis
~ h. but cautiously. to Santiago dc Gu
and II the enemy is there blockade
l9t in that port"
efforts were made by Commodore
'!.ty to communicate with the insur-
L.".ss to discover whether the Spanish
squadron was in the harbor of Cienfuegos
prior to- the morning of May "a.
Signal lights were displayed on shore at
night May p and May 49, but Commodore
pcnley Hau no information which enabled
him to Interpret them
Before sailing from Cienfucgos Commo-
nore echley received reliable informa ton
shat ships could be coaled In the vicinity
ut Cape Cruz and In Gonaives channel.
The flying squadron. with the exception
bf the Castine. sailed from Cienfuegos
about 8 p. m. of May "a, the heavy ships
In column Of vessels, the light ships on
ne right flank and the collier Merrimac
Oh the left flank. AT 1910 a. m. Of May
@ the light vessels were shifted to the
port beam and the collier % the starhoard
beam. n Ss, y
1Sfors midnight Of Nay n owing to
heavy rolling, the forward eonpartlnsnt
Of the Eagle tilled with water, whick rs-
yaucsd her speed.
. On May y the wind was fresh from the
Eastward, tho weather was bad and the
pea heavy for small vessels. The squad
kon xAduasd Hs s..a:..d tn snahia tire Eagta