Milford chronicle., 1901-12-20
SCHLEY COURT REPORTS
Majority Findings Against Him
in Eleven Points.
ADMIRAL DEWEY susTAINs HIM

Majority Report Says Famous "Loop"
Caused Vessels to Lose Position
With Enemy-second Report Gives
schIey Credit For Santiago Victory.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE most
prolonged, interesting and important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun-
try came to a close yesterday, when
Secretary Long was handed the find
ings Of the court of inquiry which in.
quired into the conduct of Rear Ad-
miral Schley during the Santiago
campaign. The result was a complete
surprise, and it is probable thAt no
prophecy has approached the truth.
Instead of one report there are two.
Both are signed by George Dewey,
president. and by Samuel c. Lemly, as
judge advocate. This is a form said
to be recognized in all courts of in
quiry, the signatures of the other
members not being necessary. But it
Is explained that Admiral Dewey
signed the second report, a minority
report, to express his qualifications
of or dissent from the views expressed
by the court, comprising beside him
self Admirals Benham and Ramsay in
the first report
Majority Report.
The majority report condemns Ad-
miral Schley on eleven points, while
Admiral Dewey sustains him in
most particulars. The majority opin-
ion finds that Commodore Schley,
in command of the flying squadron,
should have proceeded with the utmost
dispatch off Cienfuegos and should
have maintained a close blockade of
that port.
He should have endeavored on May
% at Cienfuegos to obtain information
regarding the Spanish squadron by
communicating with the insurgents at
the place designated in the memoran-
dunn delivered to him at S15 a. m. OF
that date.
He should have proceeded from Glen
fuegos to Santiago de Cuba with all
dispatch, and should have disposed his
vessels with a view of intercepting the
enemy in any attempt to pass the flying
squadron.
He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.
He should not have made the retro
grade turn westward with his squadron
He should have promptly obeyed th'
navy departments order of May %.
He should have endeavored to cap
ture or destroy the Spanish vessels a
anchor near the entrance of Santiago
harbor on May 20 and 30.
He did not do his utmost with thu
force under his command to capture o.
destroy the Colon and other vessels 0
the enemy which he attacked May 81.
By commencing the engagement OF
July with the port battery and turn
ing the Brooklyn around with por
helm, Commodore Schley caused her t
lose distance and position with tn
Spanish vessels, especially with tn
Viscaya and Colon.
The turn of the Brooklyn to star
board was made to avoid getting he
into dangerous proximity to the Span
| ISL fGSSClS. l. 6 IuIn WAS uldu
towards the Texas, and caused tina
vessel to stop and to back her engine
to avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. c. Hodgson i
publishing only a portion of the col
E respondence which passed betwee
q them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in COZ
nection with the events of the Santiag
campaign prior to June 1, Jos, wa
. characterized by vaccilation, dil4 'or
o ness and lack Of enterprise.
e His official reports regarding the COZ
f supply and the coaling facilities of tn
t flying squadron were inaccurate an
!. misleading.
- His conduct during the battle
t July was self-possessed, and he encou
d aged, in his own person, his subord
>. nate officers and men to fight courag
o Ously. GEORGE DEWEY,
e CANHTTTTT I TNAFT V