The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-07-27
THE SCHLEY PRECEPT
ms DISTRACTIONS ARE FULL AND
COMPLETE.
70 GO INTO "ENTIRE MATTER"
yo.KD TO REPORT BOTH FACTS
AND OPINIONS.

,t, waters to Be Investigated.
NH. secretary Calls Attention to
All those Points Upon Which the
con,modore, Now Renr Admiral,
uos Been Criticised, Including the
DeIay at CienfuegOs, the Slow
proeress 10 santiago. the Retro
Grade Toward Key West. the Mat
tor of the Coal supply, the Brook
i,p Loop. the Controversy With
uod.rson and the Accuracy of His
Reports.
Washington, July 26.-The precept to
the Schley court of inquiry, which the
Navy Department has been preparing
for several days, was given to the pub
liz this afternoon. 1t is a document
addressed to Admiral Dewey, as presi-
dent Of the court. instructing him con-
corning the matters to be investigated.
While it directs that the "entire mat
FER" of Admiral Schleys conduct dur
ing the operations in West Indian wa
ters shall be Investigated, making use
Of the very words employed by Admiral
Scbley in his letter to Secretary Long,
il also selects certain distinctive acts
of the rear admiral concerning the
facts and propriety of which it calls
for particular investigation.
The Points in Dispute.
These points cover briefly Admiral
Schleys alleged delay with the flying
squadron at Cienfuegos, the slowness
of his progress toward Santiago, after
leaving Cienfuegos, the retrograde
movement toward Key West, the effec-
i tveness of the bombardment of the
Spanish fleet at the ranges used in the
Il reconnaissance of May 81, the state of
the coal supply on various ships when
\ he teegraphed the department that he
would return to Key West, the loop Of
4 the Brooklyn at Santiago, the accuracy
of his reports, the matters relating to
the controversy between him and Com
4 mander Hodgson over the alleged col
oQuy when is said to have taken place
aboard the Brooklyn when the loop was
made during the naval engagement off
Santiago. With the exception of the
last two counts the others practical
ly sum up the criticisms of Admiral
Sehleys conduct made by Secretary
Long to the Senate. which the Secre-
4 tary characterized as 'reprehensible
conduct" One of the important points
in the precept is the direction to the
court to report in its conclusions 'all
the pertinent facts which it may deem
to be established, together with it's
Il opinion and recommendations in the
premises
Mr.. Longs smooth Statement.
Secretary Long made the following
statement about the 1precept:
1t IS simply an enumeration of the
1acts that have been, to use the ap-
phcants own words, under discussion;
they are referred to informally and
suggested to the court as matters which
have been under discussion, and as
such should be inquired into by them.
Ihey are enumerated in accordance
WIN the general rule that when inquiry
Is made the person interested should
nave notice beforehand as far as pos
Sole of all the specific things about
winch inquiry is likely to be made"
Judge Advocate General Lem1y, who
was designated as Judge advocate of
tle e court, to-day, now will proceed with
lhe preparation of his case He will
examine all documents and prepare a
HSI OF witnesses. The court probably
VII SIT Tor several months, more than
1keiy until after Congress convenes in
December.
4 'erNera and EuIafe May BE Called
Judge Lemley has not yet decided
VINO the witnesses before the court
shaH be. They may be taken from the
ImeNy, from the army, or from civil
Ie-Ior undoubtedly some of the
newspaper correspondents will be call
GU IN the case. 1t is even probable in
nieW or the recently published inter
We" ol capt. Eulate of the Spanish
IAdA " mat he and Admiral 20
rlihSeH will be called if Admiral
SChiey desires it. OF course, the court
VI VI inquiry has no authority to compel
n attendance, and it is more than
t,ouottul whether they would respond
% summons, but the opportunity
VIII he afforded
40 word has been received from Ad
h.idl kimberly, who it was reported
,p written to the department saying
- ms health made il inadvisable for
IN ~" ~ attempt to serve on the court.
il5 VIII not be officially notified of his
tu lion as member Of the court un-
ne receives the precept which was
-"'eu 10 him to-day. COPY of the
ne.ept also will be sent to Admiral
any and Rear Admirals Benham
The Wording of the Precept.
loaa ne precept to the court is as fol-
AOWS. - - 49,
st,4to admiral George Dewey. United
n re-. 'S Navy Washington: Upon the
SctI.a' ol Rear Admiral Winfield S.
dafsd 5. N, made i'm letter
81 COM July y, 1901, copy herewith, a
by srl ol inquiry, Of which you are here
Levi poIhted president. Rear Admirals
K n -, Kimberley and Andrew T.
Can, man, U. S. N, members, and
Judo samuel G. Lemly u. S. N.
cate "uNocate general, Judge advo.
tho 4. hereby ordered to convene al
q a'.y Department. Washington. d
the iS. clock p. m. on Thursday
Soon .,H day OF September, 1901. or as
for '''eaiter as may be practicable
coBd,' purpose OF inquiring into the
dors oi the said Schley, commo.
war me navy. during the recent
win 'H spain, and In the connection
aT N' events thereof.
i,, court viii thorouebIv lnou{rf
tbs 'H The circumstances bearing upon
by crs of the investigation here.
ezar.. 'A' ana 10 this end, besides
Who's. orally all proper witnesses
csH "ndance can be secured viii
uns,. ihe department for an doc.
or il. III evidence In relation thereto
rr., ihe conclusion Of the inves.
r.tt. .I' court viii report It's pro.
ffm ll The testimony taken. win
lffr... i'ihilrd statement of ail no
Ie =. Ii'f which a may deem ~
Ilr.. Irl. together with lfs Opin.
l.t .NiufuN ndnffann fu fnf Urer1.