Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-12-20

Washington, Dec. 14.-The most pro-
longed, interesting and important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun-
try came to close Friday, having in
open and secret session lasted three
months short of one week, when Sec
retary Long was handed the findings
of the court of inquiry which inquired
into the conduct of Rear Admiral
Sch!ey during the Santiago campaign.
Two Reports.
Instead of one report there are two.
Both are signed by George Dewey,
president, and by Samuel {. Lemiy, as
Judge advocate. This is a form said
to be recognized in all courts of in
quiry, the signatures of the other
members, Admirals Benham and RAM
say, not being necessary. But it is eX-
planned that Admiral Dewey signed the
second report, minority report, to ex-
press his qualification of or dissent
from the views expressed by the court
comprising beside himself Admirals
Benham and Ramsay, in the first re-
port.
The main report presents in very
full terms the questions involved and
the facts as developed by the testi-
mony given before the court of in
quiry. Following is the opinion as
presented by the majority report:
Opinion OF the Majority.
Commodore schley. in command of the
| flying squadron, should have proceeded
with utmost dispatch off Cienfuegos and
sSoud have maintained a close blockade
| of that port
"He should have endeavored, on May %.
at Cienfuegos. to obtain information re-
| garding the Spanish squadron by COM
| municatng with the insurgents at the
| place designated in the memorandum de-
| llvered to him at S:l5 a. m. of that date.
HE should have proceeded from Glen
| fuegos to Santiago de Cuba with all dis
| patch. and should have disposed his vessels
| with view of intercepting the enemy in
any attempt 10 pass the flying squadron
He should not have delayed the squad
| ron for the Eagle.
He should not have made the retrograde
turA westward with his squadron.
"He should have promptly obeyed the
navy departments order of May 70.
HE should have endeavored to capture
OF destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor
near the entrance of Santiago harbor on
May % and so.
He did not do his utmost with the force
under his command, to capture or destroy
| the Colon and other vessels of the enemy
by CONNIE ncing the engagement on July
| s with the port battery and turning the
Brooklyn around with port helm, Commo-
dore Schley caused her to lose distance and
position with the Spanish vessels-especial-
ly with the Viscaya and Colon.
1.-The turn of the Brooklyn to starboard
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels.
The turn was made toward the Texas and
caused that vessel to stop ard back her
engines to avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. c. Hodgson in pub
fishing only a portion of the correspond
ence which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in con-
nection with the events of the Santiago
campaign prior to June l, 1898. was char
acteriZed by Vacillation, dilatoriness and
lack of enterprise.
"His official reports regarding the coal
supply and the coaling facilities of the
flying squadron were inaccurate and mis-
leading.
His conduct during the battle of July 8
was self-possessed, and he encouraged.
in his own person. his subordinate officers
and men to fight courageously.
GEORGE DEWEY,
admiral, L. S. N, President
SAMUEL c. LEMLY,
"Judge Advocate General, U. S. N, Judge
Advocate"
Minority Opinion.
"In the opinion of the undersigned the
passage from Key West to Cienfuegos was
made by the flying squadron with all pos
sible dispat tch, Commodore Schley having
in view the Importance of arriving on
| Cienfuegos with much coal as possible
In the ships bunkers.
1.-The blockade of Cienfuegos was ef-
fective.
Commodore Schley in permitting the
steamer Adula to enter the port of Cienfue-
| 70 nbt in i-f on NJ
cerning the Spanish squadron from her
when she came out
"The passage from Cienfuegos to a point
about 30 miles south of Santiago was made
with as much dispatch as was possible
while keeping the squadron unit.
1.-The blockade of Santiago was effective.
Commodore Schley was the senior Off
Ger of our squadron off Santiago when the
Spanish squadron attempted to escape or
the morning of July 3, 1898. He was in abb
solute command and is entitled to the credit
due to such commanding officer for the
glorious victory which resulted in the to-
. tai destruction of the Spanish ships.
GEORGE DEWEY,
Admiral, u S. NJ President
) SAMUEL c. LEMLEY,
Judge Advocate General. U. S. N, judge
! Advocate"
Recommendation.
"In view of the length of time which ha.
elapsed since the occurrence of the event!
, of the Santiago campaign, the court rec
! ommends no further proceedings be had il
the premises.
: GEORGE DEWEY,
= Admiral, U. S. N, President.
SAMUEL c. LEMLEY,
'Judge Advocate General, u. S. N, Judg
Advocate"
2 No Further Proceedings.
! 1t is said at the navy department
= that there will be no further proceed
ings in this celebrated case, on the de
partment's initiative. Secretary Lonj
+. and Judge Advocate Lemly positivel
! decline to discuss the findings in an,
phase. The secretary received the re
ports at five o'clock Friday evening
: and he has not yet acted upon then
: Tragedy in Milwaukee.
|, Milwaukee, Dec. 14.-Joseph Ander
: son and woman supposed TO b