Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-12-19
SgBLEY COURT REPORTS
Majority Findings Against Him
in Eleven Points.
ADMIRAL. DEWEY susrAINs HIM
Majority Report Says Famous Loop"
Caused Vessels to Lose Position
With Enemy-Second Report Gives
SchIey Credit For Santiago Victory.

SCnIey NTeC't Eoi oaHe'oSo S''
Washington, Dec. 14-The most
prolonged. interesting and important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun-
try came to close yesterday, when
Secretary Long was handed the find
ings of the court of inquiry which in
CURED into the conduct OF Rear Ad-
nliral Schley during the Santiago
campaign The result was complete
surprise, and it is probable that no
prophecy has approached the truth.
Instead of one report there are TWO.
Both are signed by George Dewey.
president, and by Samuel G. Lemly, as
Judge advocate. This is form SAID
to be recognized in all courts OF In
qlyiry. the signatures OF the other
members not being necessary. But it
is explained that Admiral Dewey
siened the second report. minority
renort, to express his qualifications
Of or dissent from the views expressed
by the court comprising beside him.
self Admirals Benham and Ramsay in
inc first report.
Majority Report.
The majority report condemns Ad-
mlral Schley ON eleven points, whlie
Admiral Dewey sustains him in
most particulars. The majority opln
ion finds that Commodore Schiey'
in command of the flying squadron,
should have proceeded with the utmost
dispatch off Cienfuegos and should
have maintained a close blockade OF
that port.
He should have endeavored on May
% at Cienfuegos to obtain information
regarding the Spanish squadron by
communicating with the insurgents at
the place designated in the memoran-
dunn delivered to him at S.15 a. m. OF
that date.
He should have proceeded from Glen
fuescs to Santiago de Cuba with all
dispatch, and should have disposed his
vessels with view of intercepting the
enemy in any atempt to pass the flying
squadron.
B., He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.
lie should not have made the retro
grade turn westward with his squadron
lie SuOuiu nave WV w eAS
navy departments order of May 25.
Tie should have endeavored to cap
tUre or destroy the Spanish vessels at
anchor near the entrance of Santiago
harbor on May 20 and 80.
He did not do his utmost with the
force under his command to capture or
destroy the Colon and other vessels Of
the enemy which he attacked May 81.
BY commencing the engagement on
July 5 with the port battery and turn
ing the Brooklyn around with port
helm, Commodore Schley caused her to
lose distance and position with the
Spanish vessels, especially with the
Niscaya and Colon.
The turn of the Brooklyn to star
board was made to avoid getting her
into dangerous proximity to the Span
ish vessels. The turn was made
towards the Texas, and caused that
vessel to stop and to back her engines
to avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. c. Hodgson in
publishing only a portion of the cor
respondence which passed between
them
Commodore Schley's conduct in con-
noction with the events of the Santiago
campaign prior to June /, 1898, was
characterized by vaccilation, dilatori-
ness and lack of enterprise.
His official reports regarding the coal
supply and the coaling facilities of the
flying squadron were inaccurate and
misleading.
His conduct during the battle Of
July was self-possessed, and he encour-
aged, in his own person, his subordi-
nate officers and men to fight courage
ously. GEORGE DEWEY,
SAMUEL G. LEMLY,
Minority Report.
In the opinion Of the undersigned,
the passage from Key West to Cien-