The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-31
Precept Given TO the Public
Fullest Investigation on All
Disputed Points.

Washington, Juy" 2e:-The precept
to the Schley court of inquiry, which
the navy department has been prepar-
ing for several days was given to the
public this afternoon. It is document
addressed to Admiral Dewey, as presl-
dent of the court, instructlng him
concerning the matters to be inyestl-
gated. While it directs that the en-
tire natter of Admiral Schley's con-
duct during the operations in West
Indian waters shall be investigated,
making use of the very words employ
ed by Admiral Schley in his letter to
Secretary Long, it also selects certain
distinctive acts Of the rear admiral
concerning the facts and propriety of
which it calls for particular investlga-
ton. These points cover briefly Admi-
raj Schlev's alleged delay with the
flying squadron at Cienfuegos, the
slowness of his progress toward Santi-
ago, after leaving Cienfuegoss, the
retrograde movement toward hey
West, the effectiveness of the lombard
ment of the Spanish fleet at the
ranges used in the reconnaissance OF
Nav 31st, 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 Brook
lvn at Santiago, the accuracy of his
reports, and matters relating to the
controversy between him and Com
mander Hodson over the alleged colo
ouv which is said to have taken
place aboard the Brooklyn when the
loop was made during the naval en-
gagement off Santiago. With the ex-
ception of the last two counts, the
others practically sum up the critl-
cisms of Admiral Schley's conduct
made by Secretary Long to the senate,
which the secretary characterized as
Schley's "reprehensible conduct, "
One of the important points IN the
precept is the direction to the court to
report in its conclusions, all the per
tinent facts which it may deem to be
established together with its opinion
and recommendations in the premises. y
Secretary Iong made the following
statement about the precept:
sit is simply an enumeration OF the
facts that have been, to use the appll-
cant's own words, under discussion
they are referred to Informally and
suggested to the court as matters
which have been under discussion and,
as such, should be inquired into by
them. They are enumerated IN accord
ance with the general rule that when
inquiry is made the person interested
should have notice beforehand as far
as possible of all the specific things
about which inquiry is likely to be
made.
Judge Advocate General Lemly,
who was designated as judge advocate
of the court today, now, will proceed
with the preparation of his case. He
will examine all documents and pre-
pare a list Of witnesses. The court
will probably sit for several months,
more than likely until after congress
convenes in December.
Judge Lemly has not yet decided
who the witnesses before the court
shall be. They may be taken from
the navy, from the army, or from civil
life-for undoubtedly some of the
newspaper correspondents will be call
ed in this case. It is even probable,
in view of the recently published in.
terview of Capt. Eulate, Of the Span
ish navy that be and Admiral Cervera
himself will be called if Admiral
Schley desires it. Of course, the court
of inquiry has no authority to compel
their attendance and it is more than
doubtful whether they would respond
to a summons, but the opportunity
will be afforded.
No word has been received from Ad-
miral Kimberly who it was reported
had written to the department saying
that his health made it inadvlsable for
him to attempt to serve on the court.
He will not be officially notified Of
his selection as member of the court
until he receives the precept which
was mailed to him today. A copy of
the precept will also be sent to Ad-
miral Dewey and Rear .Admirals Ben
ham and Schley.