Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-12-21
COURT IS DIVIDED.
TWO REPORTS ARE MADE AS a
RESULT OF THE scHLEY
INVESTIGATION.
THE MAJORITY CENsUREs HIM
ADMIRALs RENHAM AND RAMSAY
CONDEMN APPLICANT ON
ELEVEN POINTS.
THE MAJORITY CENsURES HIM
DEWEY in THE MINORITY
PRESIDENT OF COURT sUsTAINS
scHLEY ON MOST OF THE
SPECIFICATIONS. 10

SPECIFICATIONS
Washington, Dec. 16.-The most Pre-
longed, interesting and important Ma
val tribunal ever held in this countr!
came to a close, having in open anu
secret session lasted three months
less one week, when Secretary Ions
was handed the findings of the cour
which inquired into the conduct O
Rear Admiral Schley during the San
tiago campaign. The result was
complete surprise, and it is probable
that NO prophesy 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 q
form said to be recognized in all courts
of inquiry, the signatures of the other
members not being necessary. But II
is explained that Admiral Dewey
signed the second report, a minority
report, to express his qualification OF
or dissent from the views expressed
by the court, comprising beside him
self Admirals Benham and Ramsay, in
the first report.
1t is said at the navy department
that there will be NO further proceed
ings in this celebrated case on the de-
partment's initiative. Secretary Long
and Judge Advocate Lemly positively
declined to discuss the findings in any
phase.
The secretary has not yet acted on
the reports. 1t is probable that he will
simply append his signature with the
word Approval" to the whole record.
A representative of the Associated
Press conveyed the first information
of the findings of the court to Adj
miral Schley. He evinced no sigus Of
nervousness over the outcome
When the conclusions of Admiral
Dewey we're read to him Admiral
Schley showed his pleasure and it was
evident from his manner that he re-
gaTded the statement from Admiral
Dewey ais vindication of his cause.
He declined to make amy statement
concerning the courts findings.
The reports are as follows:
The court of inquiry, having con-
cluded the investigation, reports its
proceedings and the testimony taken,
with a full and detailed statement of
all the pertinent facts which it deems
to be established, together with it's
opinion and recommendation in the
premises.
Statement of Facts.
The flying squadron, consisting of
the Brooklyn, Massachusetts,, Texas
md 81
Commodore w. S. Schley, u. S. NJ.
sailed from Key West about 8 a. m.
of May 10, 1898, with orders from the
navy department and from the COM
mander-in-chief of the North Atlantic
station, to proceed with dispatch Tut
most) off Cienfuegos to capture the
enemy OFF that port, if possible, or to
blockade him and to make the block
ade as close as possible. The flying
squadron arrived off Cienfuegos on
the morning of May % and established
blockade. During the day the ships
lay off the port at various distances,
in no particular order. At night they
formed column of vessels headed
off shore and moved at only sufficient
speed for keeping positions The small
vessels performed picket duty in shore
of the large ships.
Commodore Schley did not proceed
with utmost dispatch off Cienfuegos
and blockade that port as close ais pos
stble.
At 10 o'clock a. M, May %, the Du.
pont arrived at Cienfuegos with dis
patch from the commandments
dated Key West, May 20, 1898, which
informed Commodore Schley of the
-
being in Santiago de Cuba and ordered
him to hold Cienfuegos until the re-
ceipt of more positive information. At
1870 p. M, May %, the Iowa arrived
at Cienfuegos, and at p. m. of the
same date the Scorpion left Cienfue-
COS for Santiago. At 8:15 a. m. of May
% Commodore Schley received by the
dispatch vessel Hawk the following
dispatch and memorandum from the |
commander-in-chief: Dispatch mo. !
81 dated Key West, May 81, 1898, |
which stated that the Spanish squad
ron was probably at Santiago and or
dered Commodore Schley, If he YVES
satisfied that the Spanish squadron
was not at Cienfuegos, to proceed |
with all dispatch, but cautiously, to |
Santiago de Cuba, and ii the enemy is |
There UlOChduS ulIu III UudC pOrL.s A
memorandum dated off Havana, May
81, 1898, which directed Commodore
Schley to mask his movements in leav-
ing Cienfuegos. memorandum
which stated that good landing place
had been found by Commander Nc !
Gala 1872 miles west of Savanilla
Point; that the Cubans had perfect
knowledge of what was going on with
in Cienfuegos; chat the Cuban forces
in the San Juan mountains controlled
the railway between Cienfuegos and
Trinidad, and that there were fair
roads from the landing place to Glen
fuegos.
Communicated With Insurgents. ,
AT $3.50 a. M, May 20, the CastinP
and the collier Merrimac arrived at
Cienfueges. At noon on the same date
the British steamer Adula was permit.