Hutchinson gazette., 1901-12-19
DEWEY FOR SCHLEY
But BOnham and Ramsey Out Vote
MIN Even II Their Opinions
Don't Outweigh His.

Washington d. C., Dec, I4.--The
Schley court Of inquiry, which was the
most prolonged, interesting and import
ant navaftribunal ever held In this coun'
try,came to a close to-day. AS result,
Admiral Schley is condemned on elev-
en- points, and his conduct Is character
lied as vacillating, dilatory and unenter'
prising. Atmirals Benham and Ramsey
take this view while Admiral Dewey sup
ports Schley's contensions throughout
The court has been in open and secret
session one week short OF three months
when Secretary Long was to-day handed
the findings Of the court Of inquiry,which
inquired into the conduct Of Rear Ad-
miral Schley during the Santiago cam
pagn. For seven weeks the court heard
testimony and for fully a month it delib-
Grated upon that mass OF evidence, final
ly reaching the conclusion announced to
day.
There are two reports instead Of one.
The second Is made by Admiral Dewey
who desents from the conclusions Of the
court.
The majority report condems Admiral
Schley on eleven points, while Admiral
Dewey sustains him in most particulars,
The majority opinion finds in brief that
Admiral Schley should have proceeded
with the utmost dispatch to Cienfuegos
information Il squadron was there; that
he should have endeavored to have OBJ
tanned information If squadron was there
that he should proceeded to Santiago
with dispatch that he should not have
made the retrograde movement; that he
should have obeyed the depart
ments order; that he should have
endeavored to capture the Spanish
vessels in Santiago; that he did not his
utmost to destroy the Colon; that he
caused the squadron to lose distance in
the loop Of the Brooklyn; that he there
by caused the Texas to back; that he
did injustice to Hodgson; that his con-
duct in the campaign was characterized
by vaclliation, dilatoriness and lack of
enterprise; that his oficialreports on the
coal supply were misleading and mac
curate; that his conduct during the battle
was self possessed and that he encouraged
in his own person his subordinate officer
and men,
Admiral Dewey, in his report, says
that the passage to Cienfuegos was made
with all possible dispatch; that in view
Of his coal supply the blockade Of Glen
fuegos was effective; that he allowed
the Adula to enter Cienfuegos TO get in
formation; that his passage to Santiago
was made with as much dispatch as pos
sible; keeping the squadron together;
that the blockade Of Santiago was effect
i've, and finally that he was the senior
officer off Santiago, in absolute COM
mand and entitled to the credit due for
the glorious victory which resulted in
the total destruction of the Spanish ship.
The result was complete surprise
and it is probable that no prophecy has
approached the truth. Instead of one
report there are two. Both are signed
by George Dewey,president, and Samuel
c. Lemly as Judge advocate. This is a
CORN said to be recognized in all courts
ofinquiry, the signatures Of the other
members not being necessary. But it is
explained that Admiral Dewey signed
the second report a minority report to
express his qualification of or dissent
from the views Of the court, comprising
beside himself, Admirals Benham and
Ramsey, in the first report.
1t is said at the navy department that
there will be no further proceedings on
this celebrated case on the departments
initiative, Secretary Long and Judge
Advocate Lemly positively decline to dis
cuss the findings in any phase, The
secretary received the reports at o'clock
this evening, and he has not yet acted
upon them. 1t is probable that he will
simply append his signature with the
word approved" to the whole record.
The court itself recommends no further
proceedings owing to the lapse of time. |
There was an air of animation this
morning about the building in which the |
court holds its secret sessions and it soon |
became evident that the end of the case |
was at hand. Captain Lemly was closet
ed with the members of the court most
of the afternoon. and when he started
for the navy department he carried the
reports with him. A representative of