Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-12-20
Says That to Him Is Due the
Credit for the Glorious Vic
tory at Santiago.
Admirals Benham and Ramsay, on the
Other Hand, Sustain All Charges
But That of Cowardice.
Findings of the Court a Great Sur
prise-The Feeling in Congress ~
to Further investigation.

Washington, Dec. 16.-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
rotary Long was handed the findings
| of the court of inquiry which inquired
into the conduct of Rear Admiral
Schley during the Santiago campaign.
For seven weeks the court heard testi-
mony, and for fully month 1t delib-
Grated upon that mass of evidence,
finally reaching the conclusions an
nounced Friday. The result was COM
plete surprise, and it is probable that
no prophesy has approached the truth.
Instead of one report there are two.
Both are signed by George Dewey,
president, and by Samuel C. Lemly, as
Judge advocate. This is 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 An
| 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 Cienfusgos and
| should have maintained close blockade
| of that port.
| HE should have endeavored, on May q.
| at Cienfuegos. to obtain information re-
| garding the Spanish squadron by COM
municatins with the insurgents at the
| place designated in the memorandum de-
livered to him at S:15 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 to pass the flying SQUADRON.
HE should not have delayed the squad
ron for the Eagle.
"He should not have made the retrograds
turn westward with his squadron.
HE should have promptly obeysA the
navy departments order of Nay =.
HE should have endeavored to capture
or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor
near the entrance of Santiago harbor OF
May % and 80.
HE did not do his utmost with the fore
under his command, to capture or destro!
the Colon and other vessels of the enem!
which he attacked on May 81.
"By commencing the engagement on Jul!
8 with the port battery and turning tn
Brooklyn around with port helm, Commo
dore Schley caused her to lose distance an
position with the Spanish vessels-especial
ly with the Viscaya and Colon.
1.-THE turn of the Brooklyn to starboar
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels
The turn was made toward the Texas an
caused that vessel to stop and back he
engines to avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. C. Hodgson in pub
fishing only portion of the correspond
ence which passed between them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in con
, | nection with the events of the Santiag
campaign prior to June !, 1898. was char
: acterized by vacillation dilatorineSs an
lack of enterprise.
His official reports regarding the coe
!, supply and the coaling facilities of tn
flying squadron were Inaccurate and mis-
leading.
Ellis conduct during the battle Of July
was self-possessed, and he encouraged
: in his own person. his subordinate officer
, | and men to fight courageously.
GEORGE DEWEY,
Admiral u. s. NJ, President.
SAMUEL C. LEMLY.
: "Judge Advocate General U. 8 NJ, Judi
n Advocate"
!, Minority Opinion.