The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-14


longed, interesting and important naval
tribunal ever held in this country came
to a close to-day, having in open and
secret session lasted three months,
short of -one week, when Secretary
Long was handed the findings of the
court of inquiry which inquired into
the conduct of Rear Admiral Schley
during the Santiago campaign. For
seven weeks the court heard testimony
and for fully month it deliberated
upon that mass of evidence, finally
reaching the conclusions announced to-
day. The result was a complete sur
prise and it is probable that no proph-
esy has approached the truth. Instead
of one report, there are two. Both are
signed by George Dewey, president, and
by Sam C. Lemly as judge advocate.
This is a form said to be recognized
in all courts of inquiry, the signatures
of the other members not being neces-
sary. But it is explained that Admiral
Dewey signed the second report, mi
nority report, to express his qualifica-
ton of or dissent from the views ex-
pressed by the court, comprising beside
himself 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
decline to discuss the findings in any
phase. The Secretary. received the re-
ports at o'clock this evening, and
he has not yet acted upon them. 1t is
probable that he viii simply append his
signature with the word Approved
TO the whole record. The court iself
recommends no further proceedings,
owing to the lapse of time.
A representative of the Associated
Press conveyed the first information of
the findings of the court to Admiral
Schley. He was seated in the public
reception room of hotel, chatting with
friends and several newspaper men and
evinced no signs of nervousness over
the outcome.
When the conclusions of Admiral
Dewey were read to him Admiral
Schley showed his pleasure and it was
evident from his manner that he re-
garded the statements from Admiral
Dewey as a vindication of his course.
He declined to make any statement
concerning the courts findings, and
excusing himself from the little COM
pany which had gathered about him,
went to his apartments, where Mrs.
Schley had been anxiously waiting to
hear the courts decision. Later the
official copy was brought to the hotel
by messenger from the Navy De-
partment.
The Report Summed Up.
The report Of the Schley court of in
quiry was promulgated by Secretary
Long tonight. There are two reports.
Admiral Benham and Admiral Ramsay
concur in the first which is signed by
Admiral Dewey also as matter OF
form. Admiral Dewey makes sepa-
rate report. The majority opinion finds
in brief that Admiral Schley should
have proceeded with the utmost dis
patch to Cienfuegos and maintained
close blockade: that he should have
endeavored to obtain information of
the Spanish squadron there; that he
should have proceeded to Santiago with
dispatch; that he should not have
made the retrograde movement; that
he should have obeyed the depart
ments orders; that he should have en-
deavored to capture the Spanish va
sells in Santiago; that he did not do his
utmost to destroy the Colon; that ne
caused the squadron to lose distance
In the loop of the Brooklyn; that
he thereby caused the Texas to back;
that he did injustice to Hodgson; that
his conduct in the campaign was char
acterized by vacillation and dilatori-
ness and lack of enterprise; that his
official reports on the coal supply were
misleading and inaccurate; that his
conduct during the battle was self
possessed and he encouraged in his
own person his subordinate officers and
men.
Admiral Dewey in his report. says
that the passage to Cienfuegos was
made with all dispatch; that in view
OF his coal supply the blockade of
Cienfuegos was effective: that he al
lowed the Adula to enter Cienfuegos
10 get information: that his passage
TO Santiago was with as much dis
patch as possible. Keeping the squad
ron together: that the blockade of San
uago was effective. and finally, that
ne was the senior officer off Santiago
IN absolute command and entitled TO
the credit due for the glorious victory
which resulted in the total destruction
OF the Spanish ships.