The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-08-01
LoNa,s rREcEPr.
Secretary Issues Officia1 Instructions -
the Schley Naval Board. Err

secretary Issues Official Instructions -
the schley Naval Board.
Washington, July 27.-The official
precept of Secretary Long was issued
yesterday afternoon and governs the
matters to be investigated by the
Schley naval board of inquiry, and is
as follows:
"While the department relies upon
the discretion of the court to make
its examination into this matter full
and complete, as requested by the
officers at whose instance it is con-
vened, the report should show the
conclusions reached upon certain
points, to which attention is specifi-
cally directed us follows:
"First-Ilis conduct in connection
with the events of the Santiago cam.
paign.
Second circumstances at
tending, the reasons controlling and
the propriety of the movements of
the flying squadron off Cienfugos ip
May, 1898.
"Third-Thc circumstances attend
ing the reasons controlling and the
propriety of the movement of the
said squadron in proceeding from
Cienfugcs to Santiago.
"Fourth-The circumstances at
tending the arrival of the flying
squadro off Santiago, the reasons
for it's retrograde turn westward and
departure from off Santiago and the
proprlety thereof.
"Fifth-The circumstances attend
ing and reasons for the disobedience
by Commodore Schley of the orders
of the department contained in it's
dispatch dated May %. 1895. and the
propriety of his conduct in the prem,
Uses.
'SiNth-The condition of the coal
supply of the flying squadron on and
about May 81, 1905: IT'S coaling ia
cilities; the necessity, II any, for, or
advisability of. the return of the
squadron to Key West to coal, and
the accuracy and propriety of the Of
fetal report made by Commodore
Schley with respect to this matter.
Observation-Disclosures or not every eff
fort incumbent upon the commands
ing officer of fleet under such cir
cunstances was made to destroy the
Spanish squadron, as she lay an
chored in the entrance to Santiago
harbor May II to 81, inclusive, and
the necessity for, or advisabiliy of
engaging the batteries at the en-
trance to said harbor, at the ranges
used, and the propriety of Commo-
deere Schley's conduct in the premises
'Eighth-The necessity, if any, for
and advisability of withdrawing at
night the Flying Squadron from the
entrance to Santiago harbor to dis
tance at sea, if such shall be found to
have been the case: the extent and
character of such withdrawal; and
whether or not a close or adequate
blockade of said harbor to prevent
the escape of the enemy's vessels was
established, and the propriety of
Commodore Schley's conduct in the
premises.
"Nintll-Thc position of the Brook.
Ign on the morning of July 8, 1898
and at the time of the exit of the
Spanish vessels from the harbor from
Santiago, the circumstances attend.
ing, the reasons for and the incidents
resulting from the turning of the
Brooklyn in the direction in which
she turned at or about the begin
ming of the action with the said
Spanish vessels, and possibility OF
thereby colliding with or endanger.
ing any other OF the vessels of the
United States fleet, and the propriety
of Commodore Schley's conduct in the
premises.
"10-The circumstances leading to
and the incidents and results of the
controversy with Lieutenant Albor
c. Hodgeson, U. S. n, who on July 3
1898; also the colloquy at that time
between Commodore Schley and Lieu
tenant Hodgeson and the ensuing cor
respondence between them on the
subject thereof and the propriety fol
the conduct of Admiral Schley in the
premises
"The foregoing specific directions
are given primarily for the informa
ton and guidance of the court, bu1
do not limit or restrict the scope O.
its inquiry.
Rear Admiral schley has been in
formed of his right to be presen-
either in person or by counsel tt
cross examine witnesses and to Offer
evidence before the court should hi
80 desire. The court may at any time
grant to others interested and en-
titled thereto like privileges.
The Investigation will be held il
open court.
''This employment on shore duty i:
required by the public interests.
"Given under my hand at navy de
partment, Washington, this goth day
Of July, nineteen hundred and one
John d. Long, secretary.'