New-York tribune., 1901-07-27
SCHLEY COURT CHOSEN.
SWEEPING INQUIRY ORDERED
BY SECRETARY LONG.
.nNrRAL'S ENTIRE MANAGEMENT
oF SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN TO
BE THRESHED OUT-LEMLY
JUDGE ADVOCATE.
MANAGEMENT

,rosbington July 26.-The precept to the
eohlev court Of inquiry. which the Navy Depart
IAN. has been preparing for several days, was
,o, IN the public this afternoon. II is docu-
u,+ addressed TO Admiral Dewey, president
..be court instructing him concernig the mat
.srs TO be investigated. While IT declares that
-. ~entire matter of Admiral Schley's conduct
,-;ne the operations in West Indian waters
,,su be investigated. making use Of the very
rords employed by Admiral schley IN his letter
N Secretary Long it also selects certain distinc
,ve acts of the rear-admiral concerning the facts
and propriety Of which it calls for particular in
yestigation.
These points cover briefly Admiral Schley's al
legged delay with the flying squadron at Glen
.uegos. tie slowness Of his progress toward San
,iaeo after leaving Cienfuegos; the retrograde
movement toward Key West. the effectiveness
of the bornbardnlent of the Spanish feet at the
ranges used in the reconnaissance Of May 81;
the state Of the coal supply on various ships
when he teegraphed to the department that he
would return to Key West: the loop of the
Brooklyn at Santiago: the accuracy Of his re-
ports. and matters relating the controversy
between him and Commander Hodgson over the
alleged colloquy which is said to have taken
place aboard the Brooklyn when the loop was
made during the naval engagement of Santiago.
A WIDE SCOPE OF INQUIRY
With the exception Of the last two counts, the
others practically sum up the criticisms Of Ad-
nliral Schley's conduct made by Secretary Long
TO the Senate which the Secretary characterized
as schleys "represensible conduct" One OF the
-T,o she
to the court report in its conclusions "aIl the
pertinent facts which 1t may deem to be estab-
nshed, together with its opinion and recon-
mendations in the premises
Secretary Long made the following statement
about the precept:
1t is simply an enumeration of the facts that
have been, to the applicants words.
under discussion" They are referred to in
formally and suggested to the court matters
which have been under discussion, and. such,
should be inquired into by them. They are
enumerated in accordance with the general rule
that when inquiry is made the person interested
should have notice beforehand as far as pos
sibie Of all the specific things about which in
quiry is likely to be made.
Judge Advocate-General Lemy who was
designated judge advocate OF the court to-
day, now viii proceed with the preparation OF
nis case. He will examine all documents and
prepare list of witnesses. The court probably
until after Congress convenes in December.
Judge Lemly has not yet decided who the wit
nesses before the court shall be- They may be
taken from the navy. from the army or from
civil hfe-for undoubtedly some of the news
paper correspondents will be called in this case
Ii is even probable, in view Of the recently pub
hshed interview OF Captain EuIate of tne Span
ish navy, that he and Admiral Cervera will be
called if Admiral Schley desires IL OF course
the court Of inquiry has no authority TO compel
attendance, and il is than doubtful
whether they would respond TO a summons but
the opportunity will be afforded
No word has been received from Admiral KIM
berly, who. Ii is expected. had written TO the
department saying that his health made II mad
Visable for him TO attempt to serve on the court
He win not be officially informed OF his selection
as member of the court until he receives the
precept which nnaiie3 to HIM to-day. a
copy Of the precept also will be sent to Admiral
Dewey and Rear-Adnlira's Benham and Schley.
TEXT OF ORDER FOR COURT.
The precept to the court is as follows:
To Admiral George Dewey L. S. N. Washing
ton D. c.:
Upon the request of Rear-Admral Winfield S.
schley. L. S. N. made In letter dated July %
lsJl, copy herewith, a court OF inquiry of
which you hereby appointed president. Rear
Adsnrals Lewis A. Kimberly and Andrew Z. K
Benham. L. S. N. members and Captain Sam
uel G Lemly. L. s. y, judge advocate general
judge advocate, is hereby ordered to convene at
the Navy Department, Washington. ID. c., at
o'clock D. m or Thursday, the 18th day Of Sep
ternber, 1901. or soon thereafter as may be
practicable. for the purpose Of inqulring into the
conduct of th= said Schley. commodore in the
navy. curing the recent with Spain and in
connection with the events thereof.
The court Will thoroughly inquire into all the
circumstances bearing upon the subject of the
investigation hereby ordered. and TO this end
besides examining orally all proper witnesses
whose attendance can be secured will call upon
the department for all documentary evidence in
relation thereto it's files
Upon the conclusion Of the investigation, the
court viii report its proceedings, and the testi-
mony taken, with full and detailed statement
Or all the pertinent facts which il may deem to
De established, together with its opinion and
recommendations in the premises.
TEN POINTS OF INQUIRY.
While the department relies upon the dis
eretion Of the court to make its examination
into this matter full and complete requested
Ds The ofbcer at whose instance it is convened,
lne report should show the conclusions reached
upon certain important points to which atten-
non is specifically directed, follows:
flfst-His conduct in connection with the
events OF the Santiago campaign.
second-The circumstances attending, the ree-
sons controlling and the propriety of the move
May 1898
Third-The circumstances attending, the rea-
sons controlling End the propriety of the move
flents of the said squadron in proceeding from
tlenfuegos to Santiago
Fourth-The circumstances attending the ar
flFsl of the flying squadron off Santiago. the
reasons for it's retrograde turn westward and
departure from off Santiago, and the propriety
thereof
flfth-The circumstances attending and the
rressons for the dsobedience by Commodore
schiey OF the orders of the Department con-
.ssihed In It's dispatch dated May % 1898, and
s',s gropriety of his conduct in the premises.
.sSth-The condition Of the coal supply OF the
nsins squadron and about May 27 1898 its
eanhg facilities; the necessity II any for, or