Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-07-31
THE PREC[PT ISSUED.
Tie Scope of the Schley Court Of
Inquiry Outlined.
The Court VIII Probably Sit For
Several Months. More Than
Likely Until Congress Com
Nene- I'm December.

New York. July 24.-Rr. Adm. VIM
field Scott Schley has asked Secretary
Long to appoint u court OF inquiry
TO determine the facts in regard TO
his course in the Santiago campaign.
While lir. Adm. Schley Will not dis
cuss his determination, or even adj
init that he has asked for an inquiry
since he could not do so without a
breach of naval etiquette. il is never
theless true that the application has
been made.
Washington, July a5.--Secretary
Long, in accordance with r-Icc~,
from Adm. Schley, Wednesday advised
that officer that lie ,.oull ORDER !;
court of inquiry 10 cNaniiii'' into tho
entire rlatter of Ad1,. Schlcvs course
in The Santiago naval campaign.
Later the secretary announced that
owing to extremely hot weather tho
court would not meet until Septcm.
Der, and that he would turn over his
reception to the committee to the
court.
Washington, July 2G.-Secrctary
Long announced Thursday morning
Itr. Adms. Kimberly and Benham rs
members of the Schley court of III.
q'iiry.
Capt. Samuel c. J4emley, Judge ad.
vocate general of the navy, was
Thursday afternoon selected as Judge
advocate of the court of inquiry.
Washington, July 27.-The preccpt
TO the Schley court of inquiry, which
the navy department has been pre-.
pairing for several days, was given to
the public. 1t is n document address.
ed to Adm. Dewey, as president of the
court instructing him concerning thu
matters TO be investigated. While it
directs that the "entire matter OF
Adm. Schley's conduct during the OPP
erations in the West Indian waters
shall be investigated, making use of
the very words employed by ADM
Schley in his letter to Score
tary Long. 1t also selects GER
tain distinctive acts of the rear
admiral concerning the facts and
propriety of which it calls for par
ticular investigation. These points
cover briefly Adm. Schleys alleged
delay with the flying squadron at
Genfuegos, the slowness of his pro-
gress toward Santiago after leaving
Cienfuegos. the retrograde movement
toward Key West, the efTectiveneec
of the bombardment of the Spanish
fleet ut the ranges used in the recon
noissance of May 81, the state of the
coal supply on various ships when he
telegraphed the department that he
would return to Key West, the loop
of The Brooklyn at Santiago, the ac-
curacy of his reports, and matters re-
lating to the controversy between
him and Commander Hodgson o,e..
the alleged colloquy which is said To
have taken place aboard the Brooklyn
when the loop was made during the
naval engagement off Santiago. With
the exception of the last two counts
The others practically sum up the
criticisms of Adm. Schley's conduct
made by Secretary Long TO the sen.
ate, which the secretary character.
lied as Schley's ''reprehensible con
duet" One OF the important points
in the precept is the direction to the
court to report in its conclusions "aII
the pertinent facts which it may
deem to be advisable 10 be estan-
lished, together with its opinion aud
recommendations in the premises"
The court will, convene September
y ut the navy department.
Judge Advocate General Lemlev.
who was designated as Judge advocate
of the coart, will now proceed with
the preparation of his case. lie will
examine all documents and prepare
n list OF witnesses. The court prob
ably viii SIT for several months, more
than likely until after congress con-
vcnes i'm December.
No word has been received from
Adm. Kimberly. who il was reported
had written 10 the department saying
that his health made IL inadvisabie
for linn to attempt to serve on the
court. lie will not be officially no.
tilted of his selection as a member
Of the court until ne receives the pre-.
cept. which was mailed to him. A copy
Of tho preccpt also will be sent &c
Adm. Dewey and Iyr. Adms Bcnhau
ana Schlcy.