The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1901-12-26
Admiral SchleY is Yindicsted.

Commodore Schley was the senior Of
fetal of the squadron off Santiago when
the Spanish fleet attempted to escape.
He was in absolute command and is en-
titled to such credit as is due for the
glorious victory which resulted in the
destruction of the Spanish Aeet.-Ad-
milal George Dewey.
Fighters know each other. The VIC
tor of Manila recognizes and does JUS
tice to the victor Of Santiago.
Dewey places the laurels where they
belong and where the American people,
guided by their common sense and love
Of fair play, have insisted ON placing
them ever since the battle of Santiago
was fought and won-on Schley's, not
on the absent SIMPSONS, brow.
To the American people Admiral
Dewey was the Court Of Inquiry sum-
moned to pass Judgment upon Schley.
Had Dewey condemned him and Admit
rails Ramsay and Benham upheld him,
the verdict of censure by the minority
would have carried incompsrably more
weight than the majority report. So
now, when Admirals Ramsay and Ben
ham report against Schley ON sundry
counts and Dewey supports and prais-
es him, it is Dewey's Judgment that
will be accepted as against theirs and
against the whole bureaus erratic crew
OF conspirators who for three years
have been seeking by industrious mis-
representation and SANDER to rob the
hero of Santiago of the glory which il
rightfully his.
Ramsay and Benham find thai
Schley's conduct prior 10 June 81 wal
characterized by yacillation, diIstori
ness and lack OF enterprise.
Dewey does not endorse this iudg
meDt. In his view "the passage from
Key West to Cienfuegos was made with
all possible dispatch" He finds that
the blockade at Cienfuegos was effect
live, and in all his minority report there
is not one word Of blame for Schley.
| 1t is easy after the event to pick flaw,
in the conduct Of commander who hai
to take the responsibility OF making de-
cisions in crises. Only the disposition
to find fault is needed. Admirals Ram
say and Benham appear TO have beer
well supplied with the disposition, ant
their criticisms on Schley's course o
various iunctures, which are now O
only technical interest, will supply th,
Mahans and Crowninshields and tn,
whole tribe of shore-going naval OK
perts with material for controversies
literature until Schley is in his grave.
But assiduous as Ramsay and Benhan
: are to make much of minor things, eyel
| their report exonorates Admiral Schle,
from the foul charge which goaded hin
/ into demanding the court of inquiry
the charge made by Maclay and indors
ed by Sampson, that the victor of San
! tiago was "Caitif."a 'Poltroon,"
0 Coward"
: "Schley's conduct was self -possesse
in the battle Of July 8, report Ramsa
and Benham, land in his own perso
he encouraged his officers and men I
+ fight courageously." They had foun
Q no "dilatoriness, vAcillation and lac
n Of enterprise" in Schley when it cam
i TO lighting the enemy, though in th
matter of coaling operations, when th
. whereabouts of the enemy was nc
Q known, his behavior, according to thei
d severe shore judgment, was not msrke
h by Napoleonic dash.
: 1t is to be regretted, Of course, tbs
the report of the court of inquiry leave
any room whatever for division of opiI
ion as to Admiral Schley's competenc
d under ell circumstances as naval CON