New-York tribune., 1901-12-14
THE FIGHT STILL OPEN.
DISA GREEJ[ENT OF ,SCHLEY
COURT DEPLORED.
A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION RE-
GARDED CERTAIN - NAVAL SER
VICE DISAPPOINTED.
rRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


Washington Dec 13-The Schey court has
disagreed Admiral Dewey rendering opinion
dametrically opposed to that of Rear Admiras
Benham and Ramsay, who found Schley grossly
at fault under every specification in the precept.
Dewey thinks Schley did his whole duty in the
West Indian campaign and that he, and not
Sampson, is entitled to the glory of destroying
Cervera's fleet saying nothing however, about
the retrograde movement and the alleged dis
obedience of orders. According to Benham and
Ramsay, Schleys conduct characterized
throughout by vaclation dilatoriness and lack
of enterprise; his reports inaccurate and
misleading and. although personally brave in
battle his treatment of Lieutenant-C Commander
Hodgson was. in naval parlance, 'unbecoming
an officer and gentleman"
This sensa tional result of one of the longest
and most exciting inquiries in naval history is
Disappointing to the Navy Department and to
the service generally.
DAMAGING TO NAVAL MORALE.
1t is recognized that the bitter controversy is
not only nearer a settlement than it six
months ago but that it is practically certain of
Congressional investigation in perhaps an ag-
gravated FORM involving comparisons between
officers that must necessarily be extremely bit
ter and damaging to the morale of the service
The conflict of judgment within the court. it
turns out, was exceedingly demoraIizing, the
wide divergence between the senior member
the hand and the two juniors the other
rendering it impossible for them to stand on any
conceiva BILE middle ground. Every effort to bring
them to a conclusion which, while finding that
Schley committed grave indiscretions at the
time presented extenuating circumstances
failed. All of positive convictions, the
members of the court to surrender
ing their set convictions, and in their delibera-
tions they moved further and further apart. with
the result which made public tonight.
DECISION REACHED ON WEDNESDAY.
The court came to its final decision to dis
agree on Wednesday. after three weeks fruitless
argument but took no one into its confidence
until to-day. when Judge Advocate General
Lemy summoned to attest the findings.
opinion and recommendation. Captain Lemly
took the papers from the court soon after ,
o'clock this afternoon and delivered them to
Secretary Long. who Immediately caused copies
to be made. of which sent to Rear
Admiral Schley shortly before s o'clock. and in
a few minutes afterward the papers were given
-xUhthc pssss--4---.
Secretary Long took no action on the opinions
Of the court tonight, but it is believed he viii
make an Endorsement in a few days although
he is puzzled as 10 what to do in the premises.
His position, as expressed in his letter to the
Senate of February 6, 1899. which is also admit
tedy that of a large majority of naval officers.
especially the younger men, is regarded as fully
yindicated by the two retired Rear Admirals:
but the highest ranking officer in active service
has taken radical issue with him. and their re
lations are likely hereafter to be strained to
degree which does not augur well for the navy.
1t IS certain that the resources which the
naval administration could bring TO bear o2 the
Santiago controversy have been unsuccessfully
exhausted and that the sole remaining resource
is to Congress. 1t is the prevailing impression
that SchIey, either through friends directly.
will appeal for full investigation. subject to
none of the restrictions imposed on the naval
court.