davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

Schley the opportunity for which he
had been waiting. His caluminators
had been by this method identihed,
and he FASTENED to demand that the
Navy Department take the proper
steps to vindicate his honor, his name
and his fame.
what the Specification Means.
In consequence of that demand the
court of inquiry will meet tomorrow
and begin the discharge of its duties,
The things which will come before that
court and which will have a direct bear
ing upon the reputation and position of
Admiral Schley are 10 in number, being
generally specified in the precept.
These 10 subjects, briefly summarized
are as follows:
/. His conduct during the Santiago
campaign. This is a general specifica-
ton, the answer to which will appear
during the consideration OF the other
nine.
2. His conduct while the flying
squadron" was off C~ienfuegos.
3. His conduct during the progress
of the flying squadron" from Cienfue-
COS to Santiago.
4. His conduct during the retro
grade" movement.
5. The reasons for his alleged dis
obedience of the orders of the depart
ment. contained in its dispatch of May
25, 1898.
6. The condition of the coal supply
of the flying squadron" on May u
1898.
Z. Whether or not Commodore
Schley made every effort incumbent
upon a commanding officer to capture
or destroy the Spanish cruiser Colon
as she lay at anchor in the harbor Of
Santiago from May 81 to 81.
8. The nature of the blockade Of
Santiago as established by Commodore
Schley, the facts regarding the alleged
withdrawal of the flying squadron a.
night to a distance of rs miles from the
coast.
8. The loop made by the Brooklyn
at the beginning of the battle of July
Bird, and the possibility of thereby en-.
dangering any other vessel of the
American fleet; and
10. The colloquy alleged to have
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
orders on the morning Of Nav q a

orders. On the morning of May 2. a
dispatch was delivered to Commodore
Schley by the Harvard. This dispatch
asked Commodore Schley to ass ertain
definitely IL the Spanish ships were in
Santiago, and If they were there not 10
let them leave without a decisive n
gagement. 1t also suggested that ne
90 to Cape Cruz, Gonaives or the Mole,
Haiti, to coal, the departments pre-
ference for the latter point being
shown In the fact that. it stated it was
sending coal to him there. In reply to
this dispatch Commodore Schley sent
a telegram which, among other things,
stated. Much to be regretted, the or
ders of the department cannot be
obeyed; have striven earnestly" This
dispatch was distorted either in trans
mission or in translation from the CT
pher to as to read: Much to be re-
GREETED; cannot obey orders OF the de-
partment. Have striven earnestly,
etc. Upon this flimsy pretext rests the
charge that Commodore Schley on
fessed to disobedience of orders.
Orders Could Not Be Obeyed.
What he did do, as is shown by the
original dispatch, was to state TO the
department that 1t was a physical i'm
possibility to obey its orders. rms ne,
or any other officer on the spot, and
clothed with the discretionary powers
always vested in a commanding officer,
would have been justified in stating
whenever it is demonstrated that the
orders received cannot be obeyed be
cause obedience is a physical impossl-
bility. Such cases of disobedience fire.
quently occur in military service, as.
for instance, when a command Is ord
cred to cross a river which, upon the
attempt being made, is found to be
impassable. In such a case the oflcer
in command is compelled to report TO
the source of the orders that they can
not be obeyed-not because he is I'M
willing or has not tried, but ecause
obedience is a physical impossibility.
That was the case of Schley. and, fur
Their. his dispatch was sent after the
receipt of that one authorizing him TO
go either to Cape Cruz, Gonaives or
the Mole, to coal. In going to the
westward Commodore Schley served
his country much more efficiently than
he would have done had he gone to the
Mole, whence the department was
sending him coal. BY the westward
movement he protected the south
coast of Cuba; by going to the Mole,
IA hours steaming to the eastward, he
would have given Cervera an oppor-
tunity to reach Cienfuegos or Havana,
by running along the south side and
around the west end of Cuba. Mill
a Judgment is, therefore, unable to
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

Spaniards were not in that port.
Knowing that Admiral Schley, with a
strong force, was on the north coast
ment of the Spanish squadron in that
direction, and knowing that he was ex-
pected to guard against a flash by the
Spaniards around the west end of Cuba
or for Cienfuegos, Commodore Schley
stood to the westward, the better to
perform this guard duty. His purpose
was to place himself in such a position
that he could do his duty most effec-
tually, and his action was based upon
the fact that he had reason to believe.
from the assurance given him by the
scout ships, that the journey to Santi-
ago had been futile, the Spaniards not
being there.
COal supply Caused Worry,
At this same time the coal supply
was a matter of great concern, us it
would have been to any other Ameri-
can officer similarly circumstanced.
The Merrimac lad nearly 1000 tons of
coal aboard, but it might as we'll have
been at Key West. The state of the
sea made coaling from the collier i'm
possible, and two ofhthe ships of the
flying squadron" were SO reduced in
their coal spply that, had it become
necessary to indulge in a long, hard
chase of the Spanish squadron, they
could not have participated. 1t was
under the circumstances necessary for
Commodore Schley to coal these YES
sells, in order that the ships of his
squadron might have an equal steam
ing radius. In order to secure coaling
ground, and at the same time guard
against the Spaniards dashing to the
west, Commodore Schley started back
in the direction of Key West. After
going AZ miles he stopped, the storm
having abated sufficiently for him to
coal the Texas and the Marblehead.
This was done from the collier Merri-
mac, and as soon as the work was COM
pleted and the cause of his anxiety re-
moved Commodore Schley returned to
the entrance of Santiago and establish
ed the blockade, which was not broken
until the Spanish squadron made the
sortle on the morning of July 3.
1t was In this connection that there
occurred the alleged disobedience of
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

the moment it was the Brooklyn wor-a
in less than two minutes more. bsvs
been rammed and sunk by the Viscava
or, escaping such a fight, would hsys
placed herself %squarely between tAs
Spanish ships and the other Americ.n
vessels, thereby making it impossi
for the latter to fire at the enemy. VII .
the Spaniards could have pumnlsi
the Brooklyn into scrapiron. Nor VIZ,
there ever any danger of colliding WIN
the Texas. The two vessels were fs'.7
half a mile apart at their nearest point
of contact.
These facts will be established In.
gether with many more which may not
for various reasons, be mentioned here
They show very c~onclusiveiy that at all
times Commodore Schley acted intpl
gently, promptly, ~zealously and ehe..
lively in the discharge of his duty. Il
is because of these facts, and because
of others of equal pertinence and
strength, that the friends of Admir-
Schley expect him to be completely
v%indicated. AS for the charges u
cowardice that have been hurled at him
the accompanying Illustrations bear
eloquent testimony. The diagram %
the Brooklyn shows that the vessel SUI
fered more damage from the enemys
gunfire than was sustained by all the
other American ships combined: whilo
the diagrams of the Spanish vessels
shows that the Brooklyn inflicted ab7qt
~ per cent, of the total damage done
those ships by the fire of the American
gunners. The Brooklyn was the only
vessel of the American squadron armed
with ive-inch guns, and one only noel
count the number of shots recorded
from guns of that ealiber to know how
effective and accurate the fire from tha
Brooklyn was. Where the record is as
it is in this instance any assertion ~
cowardice is of the most unwarranlpl
type. towards never fght as did she
men on the Brooklyn on that fatal Sd
of July, and those men went only where
Commodore (now Admiral) Sehley led
them.
But one thing more need be said. It
is to be regretted that the petty nature
of a few men made necessary this pub
lie laundering OF the Nays soiled lin
en- but now that the work is about %
be begun, it is not too much to hone
that when it is over the friends of the
one man who saw in tn: victory enough
glory for all, and who vas quick to give
the credit for the triumph to the men
behind the guns, will have no fault to
find with the verdict.
FELIX AGNUS,
Editor and Publisher of the Baltimore
American.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

the initiative, reprimanded the Offend
ing officer.
After this it was not until the pub
Ecatlon of a scurri1ous history lat the
~detraetors of Admiral Schley were in
any way identified. In this history,
which appeared in May of this year,
Admiral Schley, for his conduct dur
ing the West Indian naval campaign,
was characterized as a coward. a cur,
a liar and a caitiff. 1t happened that
this history, which vas the third vol
ume of a work already extant, had Of
fetal standing as a textbook at the
United States Naval Academy. The
nature of this book aroused the ma
tons Indignation, and so strong was
the protest against it that the Navy
Department was compelled to issue a
formal order prohibiting it's use as a
government standard. But this was
not the end. During the agitation ov-
er the book it developed that the
proofs had been read in advance OF
publication and approved by officers
of the Navy, including Rear Admiral
Sampson. These facts gave Admiral
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
ascribe to this movement any judg-
ment except that Of entire propriety.
Snuanson hid Not AftacL-

ascribe to this movement any judg-
ment except that of entire propriety.
Did Not Attack.
AS for the incident of the Colon,
Commodore Schley's conduct was
strictly according to orders. The gen
eral orders under which he was oper-
ating positively forbade him to risk
his ships against shore batteries. The
attack upon the Colon was merely a
reconnaissance, undertaken for the pur-
pose of developing the strength and po-
sition of the Spanish ships and land 1e-
fenses at Santiago. 1t was never meant
to be anything else, and was SO report
ed. As a reconnaissance it was entire
1y successful, and that Commodore
Schley did right in refusing to risk his
ships against the lanG batteries is
shown by the incident that marked the
arrival of Admiral Sampson off Santa
go on June l. Admiral Sampson had a
modification of the general orders, un-
der which he was permitted to expose
his vessels to the fire of land batteries.
When he reached Santiago the Colon
was lying in plain sight, about n mile
up the harbor, and remained there for
nearly five hours. In that time Ad-
lllIdI odllpSOA hlaAS ~ tLOAS W ~
tack her, although he might have done
so and lost all his vessels with en-
tire impunity, so sweeping were the Or
ders of which he was in possession.
AS for the blockade, there is no.
where in the official records, as pub
lished, or in the unpublished logbooks
of the ships of the Flying Squadron,
so much as one scintilla of evidence
to prove that the ships withdrew at
night a distance of rs miles from the
coast. This charge is a pure fabrica-
ton, erected by Admiral Sampson up
on the flimsy basis of h fact that
Commodore Schley directed that, in the
event of a storm compelling the ships
to separate for sea room, they should
rendezvous 25 miles south of Santiago.
No such storm occurred, and the log
books of the ships show that during
the time Commodore Schley was in
command Of the blockade the ships
were day and night at a distance Of
from four to six miles from the ent-
rance to the harbor OF Santiago. This
disposes of all the specifications of the
'precept except that one dealing with
the battle. In that the department, in
the precept, submits nothing to the
court except the loop made by the
Brooklyn and the possibility of thereby
endangering the Texas. The care with
which it avoids raising the question Of
who was in command of the American
forces that day is quite remarkable.
The Loop Was Necessary.
AS for the loop, it is only necessary
to state that had it not been made at
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

to Santiago. This Admiral Sampson,
who was at Key West, did not do. IN
stead, he sem a dispatch to Commo-
dore Schley i~nstructing him to hold
his squadron off Cienfuegos until fur
tner orders, or until it should be def
nitely ascertained that the Spanish
squadron was actually at Santiago.
This was the famous dispatch No. 7.
which was suppressed by Admiral
Sampson and made known to
the Navy Department or to the public
until Commodore Schley included it
in his letter to the Senate committee
on Naval Affairs in February, 1899.
Orders Were Obeyed.
Under these orders Commodore
Schley held his squadron off Cienfue-
COS, maintaining a close and effective
blockade of that port. On May 23d a
second dispatch was delivered to hlm,
in~structing him to proceed to Santiago
if he was satisfied that the Spanish
ships were moi in Cienfuegos. At this
time Commodore Schley had no knoSgi-
edge hat the shore about Cienfuegos
was occupied by insurgents. hence, 1t
was impossible for him to satisfy him.
self that the Spaniards were not there,
it being impossible, on account OF the
peculiar coast formation, to see into the
harbor from the sea. On the night OF
May 23d certain signal lights were OBJ
served on shore about the entrance to
C~ienfuegos harbor. AS it afterward de-
veloped, and as Capt. Robley D. Evans,
of the Iowa. which had joined the fly
ing squadron" on May 22d, knew at the
time, these were signals from the in
surgents that they desired to communi-
cate with the American fleet. This sys-
tenn of signals had been established
on May Is by Commander McCalla, OF
the Marblehead. who reported them to
Admiral Sampson on May 10, after the
departure of the flying squadron"
from Key West for C~ienfuegos. Infor-
nation regarding them was immediate
1y disseminated among the naval Off
GERS remaining at Key West, bat no
word was sent to Commodore Schley,
who was on the spot where such infor-
nation was most needed. Captain
Evans got his information regarding
them before he left Key West, but after
arriving off Cienfuegos and seeing the
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
TILE SCHIEY CASE.

The Register this morning presents
a detailed article from Gen. Felix Ag-
nus. editor of the Baltimore American,
one of the leading Republican newspa-
pers of the United States. on the sub
ject of the Sehley inquiry. Gen
Agnus extensively and elab-
orately reviews the case in
Guiding the entire battle of Santiago
in which the Spanish feet was de-
stroyed, and assists his calculation
with pictures and diagrams showing
exactly the movements of the vessels
in that famous engagement which re-
suited in so tremendous a victory for
the American squadron and later in
so un-called for a scandal. 1t will en-
able the readers of the Register to
clearly comprehend the testimony ad-
duced in the court Of inquiry, which
convenes tomorrow.
In this connection it is interesting
and significant that Attorney General
knox fatty refuses to permit his Of
fee to have anything to do with pro-
scouting the inquiry against Admiral
Schley.
Evidently the administration has
kept its ear to the ground and has de-
cided to "stand from under" eonclud-
ing that the wisest plan is to jettison
the naval clique that has been hound
ing Admiral Schiey. The Attorney
Generals action has drawn the line
sharply, clearly defining this case as
one exclusively between the naval
clique-the paper warriors in the de-
partment-and Admiral Schley. His
decision virtually places the navy de-
partment on trial together with
Schley.
There can be no question that Gen.
Agnus is in complete possession of all
the facts in relation to this celebrated
case. They were published at the out
set in an article in the Baltimore
American giving the details of the ma
val conspiracy against Schley and
naming those concerned in it, but the
entire edition of the paper containing
this article was, it is said, suppressed
by Gen. Agnus at the personal request
of President Mckinley. The President,
by the way, has done his utmost to
prevent this scandal, and promoted
Schley in the face of the attack upon
him by the naval clique.
Admiral Simpsons position in this
unfortunate business is distressing.
1t is practically certain that his pres
ent illness is due almost entirely to
mental worry and brooding over this
case. 1t is to be hoped the result of
the inquiry will clear Sampson of any
share in this persecution of Schley and
reveal the exact nature and extent of
the bureaucratic conspiracy.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
CLARKSBURG.

HARRISBURG, w. Va, September
fredericksburg Typographical union
No. 372. met Monday night and COM
pleted the organization by electina
William Hall, treasurer, and w. D.
Ross, sergeant-at-arms. The othet
officers are Carl Drummond, president
and Pierre Lorentz, secretary.
The Harrison County w. G. T.. u
convention was in session here Mon
day and Tue-say of this week. MISS
Mariah Brehm, of Chicago, made the
principal addresses.
The Harrison County Circuit Court
convened Tuesday, September loth
The grand jury received its lnstruc-
lions and is now considering the busl-
ness coming before it. A number OF
true bills are expected to be brought
in at this term for violations OF the
revenue laws.
DR.. ]. C. Longwell, of Pennsylvania
and Miss Margaret Griffith, OF johns
town, will be married Wednesday eve
ming at Johnstown. Rev. Y. P. Mar
shall. of this city, will perform the
ministerial duties.
The funeral of James l.. Parker oc,
Cured Tuesday afternoon. Intermen'
took place at the l. o. o. F. cemetery
Samuel Nowlen and Geneva Morris
were married at the residence OF Z. W.
Thomas. Rev. j. l.. Howard ot1claV
ed.
Miss Mayme Hayes has returned to
Glenville.
P. H. Shields has moved into MS
new home on the Glen Elk side.
Victor Merriman is at the Fan
American Exposition.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
CAMBRIDGE.

CAMBRIDGE, o., September 10
At a mass meeting held in a show tent.
Saturday afternoon. addresses were
made to the striking mill men by At
torney Schuck, of Wheeling. w. Va;
w. H. Turner, John Malloy, II. II.
Evans and others, OF this city. They
counseled peaceful methods and spoEe
in a warm condemnation of all at
tempts at riotous conduct.
The "Old L~eaguerS," of GAINESVILLE.
defeated the Cambridge base ball team
Saturday, by q score of IL to 2.
Superintendent of schools, G. L..
C~ronebaugh, spent Sunday with his
New Philadelphia.
j. M. Wood and daughter, Miss Sara,
accompanied by Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
Mcdonald and sons, of Bellaire, left
Monday for a visit at the Pan-Amer1-
can Exposition.
Mr.. and Mrs. J.. L.. Locke and FAM
lily have returned from an eastern trip.
The Star Boarder," which scored
successfully in Wheeling, will play at
Hammond's Opera House, this even
ing.
d. M. Hawthorne has returned from
a few days visit in Washington, Pa.
Favorable reports have been recetv-
ed concerning the health of DR.. Z. +.
Cooper, who went to Colorado, some
time ago suffering from tuberculosis.
The three story business room and
office building being erected by Horter
and Mast is nearing completion. The
new Colley apartment house with
business rooms on the first floor, Will
soon be ready for use. The Mathews
block, on Seventh street, is almost
ready for the roof.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

In the presence of such a calamity
there are no Republicans. no Demo-
crats-none but Americans. However
severely Mr.. McKinley's policies may
be criticised there is but one opinion.
one sentiment among American citi-
zens as to his attempted assassination.
A newspaper capable Of trying to
make partisan capital out of such a
national affection would seem to be
beneath contempt.
Such a journal is the New York Sun.
It out-Herods Anarchy in its incen-
diary, crazy craftsmanship.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
SECOND ONLY TO ANARCHY ITSELF.


There are Republican organs in the
United States of so malignant a type
that nothing is sacred from their par
tisan enterprise. Happily they are
few. Chief among these partisan
journals is the New York Sun, which
takes special pride in its vindictive-
ness and capacity for vituperation.
1t was the Sun which gIoried in
bounding a famous American beyond
the grave in a certain celebrated case.
1t is not a matter for wonder that
this sheet attempts to turn to partisan
account a monstrous crime that has
shocked the civilized world. The as
sassination of the President of the
United States is a crime against the
nation and the national indignation
against it is bounded by nc party line.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

The promoters of the International
Live Stock Exposition to be held as
the second event of the sort in Chicago
November 80 to December Z, are en-
couraged to believe that it will be
greater and more successful than the
initial exposition. 1t will u~nquestion-
ably be a great and useful enterprise.
Meanwhile West Virginia has a live
stock exposition of her W at the
big State Fair which is worth any far
mer's while going miles to see.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

The Weather Man was inclined to
act a bit ugly yesterday, but it is hop
ed he will get over it before to-day
dawns. AS it is the race track has
just been s%prinkled into nice condition
and the atmosphere delightfully."- cool
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

Attorney General Knox declines to
permit the use of the legal machinery
of the government as a catspaw for the
naval clique that has been bounding
Schley. In which Mr.. Knox gives ev-
| idence of his long head.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
REGISTER AGENCIES.

WHERE THE REGISTER CAN BE
PURCHASED OUT OF. TOWN.
Stand. National Hotel
CHARLESTON, W. Va--Hotel Runnss
Newa stand.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
TELEPHONES.

EDITORIAL R~ooms-BELL -. 90S
EDITORIAL ROoMs-sAToL -. 908
COUNTING ROOm-BEDL 80. 907
COUNTING RooM-NAT'L 80. 907
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

With anything like fair weather the
attendance at the Fair will he ire
mendous.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

S2.S O Cleveland and Return, S2.so
via Wheeling and Lake Erie September
& to II account G. A. r. e~neampment
Good for return until September 10
with extension to October s on paymeh'
of so cents fee. Three trains daily
Parlor cars. Particulars at depot OF
city office. 1910 Market street. MONIES
492 and 924.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
Dbrelins Register
CHARLES H. rANEY, GenI Manager.
Delivered by Carriers.

Stamps OF the de~nomlnatI0n OF iWo VJhm II
and less accepted for amounts less "AA
one dollar. ..n,
Correspondence containing importane
news solicited from every part o. " SN
rounding country. Ma
tributes of Respect and OBITUARY Nv
tees, five cents per line. he m
Rejected communications Will hot vJan,
turned unless accompanied by sunicheh'
THE REGISTER, embracing it's sever%t
editions, Is entered at the Postonie
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

The Fair is on in earnest to-day.
It's a great show.
It's In full blast.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11

DIAGRAMS SHOWING TE NJUR1Es SUSTAINED BY THE BRooRIYF
on this daTam of the Bkynw were inflicted by the Sh vessels during the bed July g. They constitute over
the American vessels participating in ha@u tt
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-09-11
THE SANPSON-SCHLEY
CONTROVERSY.
he initiative, reprimanded the Offend

Continued from Second Page.