Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-08-01
LONGS PRECEPr.
Secretary Issues Officiai Instructions 4
the schley Naval Board.


the schIey Naval Board.
Washington, July 27.-'rhe official
prcccpt of Secretary Long was issued
yesterday afternoon and governs the
matters to be investigated by the
Schley naval board of inquiry, and is
as follows:
"While the department relies upon
the discretion of the court to make
its examination into this matter full
and complete, as requested by the
vcned, the report should show the
conclusions reached upon certain
points to which attention is speciti-
cally directed as follows:
, "First-ilis conduct in connection
with the events of the Santiago cam.
paign.
Second The circumstances at
tending, the reasons controlling and
the propriety of the movements of
the flying squadron off Cienfugos in
May, 1898.
"Third-The circumstances attend
ing the reasons controlling and the
propriety of the movement of the
said squadron in proceeding from
Cienfugcs to Santiago.
"Fourth-The circumstances at
tending the arrival of the flying
squadro off Santiago, the reasons
for its retrograde turn westward and
departure from off Santiago and the
proprlety thereof.
"Fifth-The circumstances attend
ing and reasons for the disobedience
by Commodore Schley of the orders
of the department contained in its
dispatch dated May %. 1898, and the
propriety of his conduct in the prem
Uses.
"Sixth-The condition of the coal
supply of the flying squadron on and
about May %, 1898: IFS coaling IA
ci!ities: the necessity, IT any, for, or
advisability of, the return of the
squadron to Key West TO coal, and
the accuracy and propriety of the Of
fetal report made by Commodore
Schley with respect to this matter.
Observation-Disclosures or not every ef-
fort incumbent upon the command
ing officer of fleet under such cir
cumstances was made to destroy the
Spanish squadron. as she lay an
NhoiCu III tiit W
harbor May II to 81, inclusive. and
the necessity for, or ACCESSIBILITY of
engaging The batteries at the en-
trance to said harbor. at the ranges
used, and the propriery of Commo-
dore Schley's conduct in the premises.
'Eighth-The necessity, if any, for.
and advisability of withdrawing at
night the Flying Squadron from The
entrance to Santiago harbor to dis
lance at sea, If such shall be found to
have been the case: the extent and
character of such withdrawal; and
whether or not a close or adequate
blockade of said harbor to prevent
the escape of tine encmy's vessels was
established. and the propriety of
Commodore Schley's conduct in the
premises.
"Ninth-Thc position of the Brook
lyn on the morning of July 3. 1898,
and at the time of the exit of the
Spanish vessels from the barbor from
Santiago, The circumstances attend
ing, the reasons for and the incidents
resulting from the turning of the
Brooklyn in the din ection in which
she turned at or about the begin
ming of the action with the said
Spanish vessels, and possibility of
thereby colliding with or endanger-
ing any other of the vessels of the
United States fleet. and the propriety
of Commodore Schley's conduct in the
premises.
''l0-The circumstances leading to
and the incidents and results of the
controversy with Lieutenant ALBION
c. Hodgeson, u: S. n, who on July 3,
1898; also the colloquy at that time
between Commodore Schley and Lieu
tenant Hodgeson and the ensuing cor
respondence between them on the
subject thereof and the propriety for
the conduct of Admiral Schley in the
premises"
"The foregoing specific directions
are given primarily for the informa-
ton and guidance of the court, but
do not limit or restrict the scope of
its inquiry.
Rear Admiral Schley has been in
formed of his right to be present
either in person or by counsel to
cross examine witnesses and to offer
evidence before the court should he
so desire. The court may at any time
grant to others interested and en-
titled thereto like privileges.
''The investigation will be held in
open court.
This employment on shore duty is
required by the public interests.
"Giver under my hand. at navy de-
partment, Washington, this 26th day
of July, nineteen hundred and one
John ID. Long, secretary