New-York tribune., 1901-10-25
SCHLEY'S OWN STORY.
rgE ADMIRAL ON THE WIT
NESS STA Nd.
r GIVES HIS SIDE OF THE CASE ON
FIVE POINTS OF THE PRECEPT-IN-
TENSE INTEREST IN HIS MARIA
TIVE OF CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
rBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.l

,r-sshington Oct. 24.-Admiral Schley. calm
"a modest, unimpassioned. and speaking al
-r,st n1onotonously. without emphasis, and in a
tie low tone held the intense interest of the
s,.al court of inquiry for two hours this after
I'm An audience limited only by the space in
-. great gunshop. listened to his explanation
.1his conduct off the south coast OF Cuba with
-oslv suppressed excitement. Those who had
,,ss FOR vigorous denunciation of his accusers.
g. an aggressive demeanor toward the wit
..ssss who have supported the charges against
t,n and for sensational recriminations. were
s,ssppointed. and those who had looked TO him
tor A logical presentation of the incidents, in
.,-rstion and experiences which actuated him
!, the search for Cervera. and which supported
sIs own judgment on all occasions in the re-
x,onsibilities placed him commander OF
:, important feet. We're gratihed- Schley's mar
r.tive to-day full of detail and exhaustive on
s+ri,,lv military points which had not hereto
tore been much dwelt upon, began with the pre-
psrstory work Of making efficient fighting
mil on an actual war basis at Hampton Roads,
and was carried step by step TO the alleged dis
obedience Of orders after starting the retrograde
movement off Santiago when the hour of ad-
iournment was reached. In the two hours
sohley had given his side Of five points of the
nrecept, from the second TO the sixth. inclusive.
These were:
second-The circumstances attending. the rea-
sons controlling. and the propriety Of the move
ments Of the Flying Squadron off Cienfuegos
in May. 1898
Third-The circumstances attending, the rea-
sons controlling. and the propriety Of the move
ments Of the said squadron in proceeding from
Cienfuegos 10 Santiago.
Fourth-The circumstances attending the
rival Of the Flying Squadron off Santiago, the
reasons for its retrograde turn westward and
departure from off Santiago, and the propriety
thereof
Ffth-The circumstances attending and the
reasons for the disobedience by Commodore
tanned in its dispatch dated May p, 1898 and
the propriety Of his conduct in the premises
SiXth-The condition OF the coal supply Of the
Flying Squadron about May %, 1898; it's
c0ang facilities; the necessity, if any for. or
sdyisablity Of, the return of the squadron to
Key West for coal, and the accuracy and pro-
priety Of the official reports made by Commo-
dore Schley with respect TO this matter.
His composure and self-controI when refer
ring 10 the young officers who had sworn to
the most damaging statements against him
were marked. His resentment, IL he had any.
was hidden under expressions Of charity and
sympathy
OF Admiral Sampson he spoke in terms OF
cordial friendship and warm loyalty. There
was tinge Of disrespect in any of his refer
ences 10 his superiors. and denunciation of
those subordinates who had disagreed with him
az any time. His statements cleared away
many perplexities. and he declared that
throughout the period Under review he had
never failed TO do what he believed was best
FOR his country
Many naval officers tonight expressed the
opinion that Schley has placed the specifications
Of the precept quoted above I'm new light and
has taken much Of the sting Of reprehensibility
out Of them. The moderation with which he
has endeavored 10 explain them is regarded 8
having materially softened their Interpretation.
Before Schley testified Captain Clark. of the
oregon, told his story Of the battle of July 3.
commencing the part the Brooklyn took in the
engagement, when he saw her receiving at one
time the fire Of all four of the Spanish cruisers.
lie also told for the first time Of the converse
non with Admiral Sampson and Commodore
schley al the end of the battle.
Lieutenant Commander Harlow spent an hour
on the stand in the morning testifying in favor
Of schey.