The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-07-30
INTO CONDUCT OF ADMIRAL SCHLEY
DURING THE SPANISH WAR
THE PRECEPT MADE PUBLIC
to Admiral Dewey as PresI-
to Matters to be Neutrality-suspicious.
Members of the Court-Proceedines
to be Public The Broadcast Latitude
as to Scope Of Investigation Given
the Court-Schley Given Notice Also

the Schley court OF inquiry which the
navy department has been preparins
for several days was given to the pub
Tic this afternoon. 1t is a document
addressed to Admiral Dewey, as presi-
dent or the court, instructing him con-
corning the matters to be investigated.
While it directs that the entire mat
ter of Admiral Schley's conduct dur
ing the operations in West Indian
waters shall be Investigated. king
use of the very words employed by
Admiral Schley in his letter to Score
tary Long, it also selects certain dis
t1nctlve acts of the rear admiral con-
corning the facts and propriety of
which 1T calls for particular investiga-
ton. These points cover briefly AID.
mlral Schley'S alleged delay with the
flying squadron at C~ienfuegos. the
slowness of his progress toward Santi-
ago. after leaving Cienfuegos, the re-
trogade movement toward Key West.
the effectiveness of the b~ombardment
OF the Spanish fleet at the ranges used
IN the reconnaissance of May 31st, the
state of the coal supply on various
SHIPS, when he telegraphed the depart
ment that he would return TO Kew
west, the loop of the Brooklyn at Sam
tlago. the accuracy of his reports and
matters relating to the controversy
petWeen MIN and Commander Hodgson
over the alleged colloquy which is said
to have taken place aboard the Brook
lyn n the loop was made during the
navy engagement off Santiago.
with the exception of the last two
counts the others practically sum up
the criticisms of Admiral Schley's con-
duct made by Secretary Long to the
senate, which the secretary aracte
lied as Schley's "reprehensible con-
duct One of the important points in
the precept is the direction to the court
to report in it's conclusions ..all the
pertinent facts which it may deem to
be established. together with its opin-
ion and recommendations in the
premises"
Secretary Long MADE the following
statement about the precept:
1t is simply an enumeration of the
facts that have been, to use the appli-
cant's own words. under discussion:
they are referred to Informally and
suggested to the court as matters which
ave been under discussion and, as
such, Shouts be inquired into by hcm.
They are enumerated in accordance
with the general rule that when inquiry
is made the person interested should
have notice beforehand as far as ,Hossi-
BILE of all the specific things about
which inquiry is likely to be made"
Judge Advocate General Lemly, who
was designated as judge advocate of
the court. now will proceed with the
preparation of his case. He will ex-
anime all documents n prepare a list
of witnesses. The court probably will
sit for several months, more than likely
| until after q congress cOnVpnpS in De-
cember
Judge Lemly has not yet decided who
the witnesses before the court shall be.
They may be taken from the navy,
from the army, or from civil life-for
undoubtedly some of the
correspondents will be called in this
case. 1t is even probable, in view of
the recently published interview of
Captain Fulate of the Spanish navy,
that he and Admiral Cevera himself
will be called, if Admiral Schley de-
sires it.
Of course. the court of inquiry has
no authority to compel their attend
ance and it is more than doubtful
whether they would respond to a sum-
mons, but the opportunity will be af-
forded.
No word has been received from Ad-
miral Kimberley. who it was reported
had written, saying that his health
made it inadvisable for him to attempt
to serve on the court. He will not be
officially notified of his selection as a
member Of the court until he receives
the precept, which was mailed to him
today.
A cop of the precept also will be sent
to Admiral Dewey and Rear Admirals
Benham and Schley.
The precept to the court is as fol-
lows:
ITO Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N.
Washington:
Upon the request of Rear Admiral
Winfield s. Schley, L. S. N, made in d
letter dated July %, 1901, copy here
with. a court of inquiry, of which you
are herebyrappointed president, Rear
Admirals Lewis A. Kimberley and
Andrew E. X. Be1ham. L. S. N, mem
bers and Captain Samuel c. Lemley,
[. :. N. Judge advocate general, is
hereby ordered to at the navy
department., Washington. D. c., at !
o'clock p. m. or Thursday, the 18th
day Of September. 1901, or as soon
thereafter as may be practicable for
the purpose of inquiring into the con
the navy. during the recent war with
Spain and in connection with the
events thereof.
The court will thoroughly inquire
into all the circumstances bearing upon
the subject of the investigation hereby
ordered, and to this end, besides exam
lining orally all proper witnesses
whose attendance can be secured. viii
call upo the department for all docu.
mentary evidence in relation thereto
on its files.
Upon the conclusion of the investi.
cation the court will report its proceed
ings and the testimony taken, with q
full and detailed statement of all per
tinent facts which it may deem to be
established. together with it's opinion
and recommendations in the premises
while the department relies upor
the discretion CT the court to make it:
examination into this matter full and
complete, as requested by the officer a
hose instance it is convened, the re
port should show the conclusions reach
ed upon certain important points, tc
which attention is specifically directed
as follows:
Il. His conduct in connection witt
the events of the Santiago campaign.
80. The circumstances attending. thu
reasons controlling and the prophet,