Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-12-24

counsel to enter upon an inquiry into
the question of command and has
notified Admiral Schley's counsel of
that fact as q reason for declining to
hear them on that point.
Secretary Longs Statement.
Secretary Longs approval of the ma
jority report was as follows:
1.-THE department has read the testimony
in this case, the arguments of counsel at
the trial: the courts findings OF fact. opin-
lon and recommendation; the Individual
memorandum of the presiding member: the
statement of exceptions to the said find
ings and opinion by tho applicant: the re-
ply to said statement by the judge advo-
cate OF the court and his assistant, and the
brief this day submitted by counsel for
Rear Admiral Sampson traversing the pre-
siding members view as to who was IN COM
mand at the battle of Santiago
And after careful consideration the
findings of fact and tho opinion OF the full
court are approved s5-, =.
"As to the points on which tile presiding
member differs from the majority of the
court the opinion of the majnr1ty is APP
proved.
LAS to the further expression of his views
by the same member with regard to the
questions of command on the morning of
July 3, 1898. and of the title to credit for the
ensuing victory, the conduct of the court
In making no finding md rendering no opin-
ion on those questions is unprecedented
| it could with propriety take no other course.
| evidence on these questions. during the
| INQUIRY, having been excluded by the court.
1.-The department approves the recon-
| mendation of the court that no further
proceedings be had in tho premises.
1.-THE department records Its appreciation
of the arduous labors of the whole court.
| (Signed) John D. LONG,
Secretary of the Navy"
Letters to Sampson and SchIey.
The text Of the secretary's letters to
i Admiral SIMPSONS attorneys and to
Admiral Schley follows:
Navy Department. Washington, Dec.
| 20. 9O1.-Gentlemen: In view of the depart
ments approval, this day. of the recon-
| mendation of the cour. OF inquiry IN the
case Of Rear Admiral Schley. that no fur
ther proceedings be had. and of the fapt
that the question of command was exclud-
| ed from consideration by the court. the
| department will take no action upon the
brief filed by you In behalf of Rear Admiral
William T. Sampson. Very respectfully,
JOHN D. LONG,
Secretary"
"Messrs Stayton, Campbell C Theall.
Johnston Building. 80 Broad street, New
York.
Navy Department. Washington. Dec.
20, 190l-Sir: Referring to the DEPART
| ments letter of the 18th instant, you are
advised that action to-day has been taken
| upon the findings, opinions and recommen-
dalton of the court Of inquiry in your case.
and upon the minority opinion of the pre-
siding member. and copy of the indorse-
metnt embodying such action is herewith
transmitted for your information.
"In response to your request of the 18th
! instant, heretofore acknowledged, that If
protest should be filed by Rear Admiral
w. T. Sampson relative to the ques ton Of
command of the American naval forces
during the battle Of Santiago and credit for
the victory won in that battle, you be &C
corded an opportunity to present through
your counsel. oral argument against such
protest you are advised that brief on
this subject has this day been filed by
Messrs. Stayton, Campbell & Theall, coIp-
sci for Rear Admiral Sampson.
"In view. however of the departments
approval of the recommendatio of the
court OF inquiry that no further proceed
ings be had and of the fact that the ques-
ton of command was excluded from con-
sideration by the court no action will be
taken upon said brief and reply to that
effect copy inclosed) has this day been
made to counsel for Admiral Sampson.
"a copy of the report OF the judge advo-
cate of the court and his assistant, upon
your communication of the 18th instant,
objecting to the approval of the findings
Of The court, is also herewith transmitted
Very respectfully
JOHN d. LONG, Secretary
Rear Admiral Winfield s. Schley, United
States Navy, retired, The Richmond, Wash.
ington. d. c."
Resignation of Maciay Demanded.
Washington, Dec. 23.-The following
order was made public Saturday after
noon by Secretary Of War Root:
Navy Department, Washington. d. c.,
Dec. 20--Rear Admiral A. S. Barker. Com
maLdant Navy Yard, New York-Sir: i
am directed by the president to ask Edgar
S. Maclay, special laborer, general store
keepers Office, navy yard, New York, to
send in his resignation Very Respectfully,
(signed) JOHN D. LONG,
Secretary"
| Secretary Root was designated to
make public the request for Mr.. Mac
lays resignation after conference
with the president.
Court of Inquiry Dissolved,
/ Washington, Dec. %. - Secretary
Long Saturday afternoon issued the
formal order dissolving the Schley
court of inquiry. The order was COM
Mupicatea at once to Admiral Dewey