Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-12-14
VERDICT AGAINST sCHLEY.

y
ing OF Admiral George Dewey and
Rear-Admirals Andrew E. K. Benham
aud Francis NJ. Ramsay, have made
two reports, the majority report by
Benham and Ramsay oeiug against AID.
miral Schley on all essential points, ex.
cept that 1t admits "his conduct during
battle was self-possessed and that he
encouraged 10 his own person his
subordinate officers and men,"
Ia q nutshell, the decision is against
Admiral Schley, and from the stand.
point OF q majority of the court be is
not indicated. Admiral Dewey, how.
ever, was in the main 10 favor OF
Schley.
The majority report alleges: That
Schley should have proceeded with the
utmost dispatch to Cienfuegos and
maintained q close blockade. That he
should have proceeded to Santiago
with the utmost dispatch. That he
should not have made a retrograde
movement. That he should have
obeyed the departments orders. That
be should have endeavored to capture
| the Spanish vessels In Santiago harbor
| May 30 and 30. That he did not do
! his utmost to destroy the Colon. That
| be caused the squadron TO lose distance
in the loop of the Brooklyn. That he
thereby caused the Texas to back. That
be did en- injustice to Lieut.. Hodgson
That his conduct 10 the campaign was
! characterized by vAcillation, dilatori-
! ness and lack OF enterprise. That mis-
official reports on the coal supply were
misleading and inaccurate.
The minority report alleges that his
conduct during battle was self-pos-
| sessed AID that be encouraged In his
own person his subordinate officers and
men.
Admiral Dewey says: THAT the
passage to enfuegos was made with all
dispatch. That 10 view of his coal sup
ply the blockade of Cieniuegos was eff
soIive. That be allowed the Adula to
enter Cienfugos to get information.
That his passage to Santiago was with
as much dispatch as possible,
keeping the squadron together. That
the blockade OF Santiago was ef-
fective. That Admiral Schley was
senior officer of Santiago, in abso-
lutte comm and and entitled TO the cred
1t due for the glorious victory which
! resulted 10 the total destruction OF the
I Spanish ships. Admiral Dewey also
agrees with the finding OF facts sub.
scribsd by Rear Admiral Benham and
Ramsay. The court recommends. in
view of the time that has elapsed, DO
, iurther proceedings be had 10 the
premises. Mr.. Isdor Rsyner, who rep
resented Admiral Schley, says the end
ia not yet.
Rear Admiral Schley says Admiral
| Dewey has vindicated him.
Mr.. Isidor Rsynor, whose defence OF
Admiral Schley has won him the adj
miration OF the whole country, wheu
apprised of the findings of the court
said it was terrible blow to him, but
his manner, no less than his words, gave
indication that this is not to be the end,
but that, on the contrary, he will coun'
sci and aid Admiral Scnley to fight. to
| the last ditch for the viDdicatioD that
has been denied him by 1.-TWO admiral
who have never fred q gun in q war as
it must be conducted today" Mr.. Ray
nor will see Admiral Schley as soon as
his engagements will permit-probao5y
on Monday or Tuesday-and it Is more
than possible that an appeal may be
made to Congress to give his due to
one OF the heroes OF the Spanish-Amer
lean war as it Is so fully accorded to
| the other.
my honor has been indicated and
/ am satisfied With the decision of the
court" This was the only comment
Rear-Admiral w. s. Schley would make
after hearing a synopsis Of the two re-
ports Of the court ofiOqury.
Rear-Admiral Schley remained in his
apartments at the Hotel Richmond,
| Washington, last evening, evidently
awaiting the report of the court, which
it is understood was expected to be de-
livered to him few minutes before 1t
was delivered to the press. Resr-Ad-
miral Schley came down into the smok-
ing room OF the hotel about 8 O'Clock.
He had just finished an interesting bit
of polar sea "Reminiscences, when a news
paper man brought in the substance Of
theItwo reports, received over the tele.
phone. The Admiral settled himself
back 10 q large leather-covered chair
and listened intently to the fiodings OF
the court. Although he ventured no
comment his face showed some dssap
pointment as a majority of the fndfngs
Of the court was read to him. His face
frightened up aud q smile OF satisiac'
ton was evident when the members of
the court commended his courage and
general conduct during the battle. He
display edeyen greater satisfaction when
the report OF Admiral Dewey, COM
mending the entire course, was read.
Then 1t was that he announced that
he was satisfied as his honor had been
Yindicsted.
1t is reported that Admiral Schley
may proceed In the civil courts against
Historian" Maolsy.