The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-25
sCHLEY's PATIENCE EXHAUSTED.

SCHLEY'S PATIENCE EXHAUSTED.
At last Rear Admiral Schley mas call.
ed for an investigation by the navy de.
partment of the charges made against
him in connection with the part he took
in the naval campaign at Santiago II
may be that he ought to have taken
this course as soon as the charges
were made. at least as soon as it be-
came evident to him that it was the
purpose of those bounding him Ia
continue their attacks upon him and to
ruin his reputation as a naval officer
if they could. Admiral Schley. while a
brave and conscientious officer, dislikes
controversies, and it is probable that
he thought the attacks would cease if
he paid no attention to them. The last
attack, however, that which appears in
Maclays history of the United States
Navy is so outrageous and indecent
and apparently malicious that it justi-
fies the suspicion that it was inspired
by persons who intended to pursue him
to the grave. Doubtless, therefore, he
felt that in justice TO himself and the
friends who have stood by him so
faithfully in the now famous Sampson
Schley controversy, there should be an
investigation by a court of inquiry.
No fair-minded man can believe that
Admiral schley is guilty of any of the
charges brought against him. 1t is
certain that a majority of the United
States Senate did not believe them or
he would not have been confirmed in
the position he now holds; and it is
doubtful if the people generally believe
them, but there is danger that they
will be lead TO believe them if there
continues to be Federation of them and
no effort to show that they are false.
1t seems curious that the man who
commanded in the naval battle of San
tiago, who stood on the bridge of his
ship throughout the engagement-the
ship that bore the brunt Of the fight
and did the greatest damage to the
enemy-should be called a coward and
charged with having run away from
the fight. That such charges have
been made, however. shows how veno-
nous is the animosity of those who are
trying TO rob Admiral Schley of the
part of the glory of the Santiago bat
tie which rightly belongs to him. They
seem to think that if they can destroy
his reputation something will be added
to their own regulations. gained in that
battle, or the regulations of those
whose causes they champion.
The thought has been thrown out
that Admiral Schey has hesitated to
call for a court of inquiry because ne
believed he could not get justlce-that
the appointment of the members of the
court and the management of the court
would be in the hands of his enemies.
1t may be that he has no friends in
the navy department, but it is certain
that he will have a fair show. The
American people will see to it that all
Of the facts bearing upon the charges
are brought out. Admiral Schley has
no enemy in the navy department who
is bold enough to defy public senti-
ment, and try to get a judgment not
justified by the facts. 1t is not prob
able, however. that there will be any
attempt TO make a biased officer a
member of the court. The Secretary OF
the Navy could not afford to permit
anything of that kind.
The whole country is no doubt glad
that there is to be an official inquiry
1t is tired of the interminable Sampson
Schley controversy, and will rejoice
when it is officially settled.