The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-14
Schley Entitled to Credit for Victory at San
tiagO, According to Dewey.
Other Members of the Court Say He Did Not Obey
Orders, Was Dilatory, and Did Injustice to
Lieutenant Commander HOdgsOn

WASHINGTON, Dec. l3.-The most pro-
tribunal ever held in this country came TO
close after having, in open and secret
session, lasted three months, short Of one
week, when Secretary Long was to-day
handed the findings OF the court of inquiry
which anquired into the conduct of Rear
Admiral Schley during the Santiago cam
paign. For seven weeks the court heard
testimony. and for fully month it delib-
Grated on that mass Of evidence. finally
reaching the conclusions announced to-day.
Instead of one report there are two. Both
are signed by George Dewey the presi-
dent of the court, and by Samuel c. Lem
ly. the Judge advocate. This is form said
TO be recognized in all courts Of inquiry.
signatufes OF the other Members not being
necessary But IL is explained that Ad-
miral Dewey signed the second report.
minority report, TO express his qualification
OF or dissent from the views expressed by
the court comprising, beside himself, Ad-
niraIs Benham and Ramsey. in the first
report.
THE MAJORITY REPORT.
The majority report condemns Admiral
schIey on eleven points. while Adm fal
Dewey :sustains him in most particu-
lars The majority opinion finds In brief
that Admiral schley should have proceed
-
and maintained a close blockade; that he
should have endeavored to have obtained
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 departments or
ders; that ne should have endeavored to
capture she Spanish vessels in Santiago;
that he did not do his utmost to destroy
the Colon; that he caused the squadron to
lose distsnc in the loop OF the Brooklyn;
tha he thereby caused the Texas to back;
that he cid injustice Hodgson; that his
conduct IN the campaign was characterized
by vacillstion. dilatoriness and lack of en-
terprise; that his official reports on the
coal supply misleading and inaccu-
rate; that his conduct during the battle
was self-possessed and that he encouraged
in his own person his subordinate officers
and men.
;DEwEY's OPINION.
Admiral Dewey in his report says that
the passage to Cienfuegos was made with
ali dispatch: that in view OF his coal sup
ply the blockade of Cie1fuegos was ef-
fectIve; that he allowed the Adula to enter
Cienfuego@ 10 get information; that his
passage To Santiago was with as much dis
patch as possible. keeping the squadron to-
gether; that the blockade of Santiago was
effective. and. finally. that he was the
senior officer of Santiago. in absolute COM
mand. and entitled to the credit due for
the glorious victory which resulted in the
total destruction of the Spanish ships
II is said at the Navy Department that
celebrated case on the departments initia-
tive Secretary Long and Judge Advocate
LemIy positively decline to discuss the
nndngs In any phase. The secretary re-
ceived the reports at 5 O'Clock this even
ing and he has not yet acted on them.
II Is probable he will simply append his
signature with the word approved to the
whole record. The court itself recon-
mends no further proceedings owing to the
lapse OF time.
There was air Of animation this morn
ing about the building in which the court
held its secret sessions. and II soon became
evident that the end OF the case was at
hand. Captain Lemly was cIoseted with the
members OF the court most Of the after
noon and when he started for the Navy
Department he carried the reports with
him
ScHLEY WELL PLEASED.
A representative Of the Associated Press
conveyed nrst Information OF the findings