The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-12-17
OFFICIAL VERDICT
FINDS HIM GUILTY
Two Reports Made--Further Action
Not to Be Taken-Seoretary Long
May Merely Sign the Reports.
schley Apparently Satisfied.

Washington, Dec. 1.-The report of
the Schley court Of Inquiry was pro-
mulgated by Seer retary Long last
night. There are two reports. Ad-
mirals Benham and Ramsey concur in
the first, which Is signed by Admiral
Dewey also as a matter Of form. Ad-
miral Dewey makes separate report.
although he agrees with the findings
Of facts subscribed to by the others.
Tho majority report condemns Ad-
miral Schley on II points, while Ad.
miral Dewey sustains him in most
particulars The majority opinion
finds in brief that Admiral Schley
should have proceeded with the ut
most dispatch to Cienfuegos and main
tain a close blockade; that he should
have endeavored to have obtained in
formation OF the Spanish squadron
there; that he should not have made
the retrograde movement; that he
should have obeyed the departments
orders; that he should have endeav-
ored to capture the Spanish vessels in
Santiago; rnat he did not do his ut
most to destroy the Colon; that he
caused the squadron to lose distance
in the loop OF the Brooklyn; that he
thereby caused the Texas to back;
that he did Injustice to Hodgson; that
his conduct in the campaign was
characterized by vacillation, dilatori.
moss. lack OF enterprise; that his Off.
cial reports on the coal supply were
misleading and inaccurate; that his
conduct during the battle was self.
possessed, and that he encouraged in
bis own person his subordinate Off.
GERS and men.
Dewey uphcIds schIey.
Admiral Dewey in his report says
that the passage to Cienfuegos was
made with all dispatch; that in view
OF his coal supply the blockade OF
Cienfuegos was eftectYe; that he al.
lowed the Adula to enter Ciensuegos
to get information; that his passage
to Santiago was with as much dis
patch as possible, keeping the squad,
ron together; that the blockade OF
Santiago was effective, and, finally.
that he was the senior officer off San.
tiago, in absolute command, and en-.
titled to the credit due for the glori
GUS victory which resulted in the total
destruction of the Spanish ships.
Both reports are signed by George
Dewey, president, and by Samuel Z.
Lemley as judge advocate. This Is
form said to be recognized in all
courts. OF inquiry. the signatures of
the other members not being neces-
sary. But 1t Is explained that Ad.
miral Dewey signed the second re.
port minority report, to express his
qualification OF or dissent from the
views expressed by the court com
4, i'm
ham and Ramsay, in the first report
1t is said at the navy department
that there will be no further proceed
ings in this celebrated case on the
departments initiative Secretary
Long and Judge Advocate Lemly pos
itively decline to discuss the findings
in any phase. The secretary received
the reports about 5 o'clock last even
Ing and last night he had not yet act.
ed upon them. 1t is probable that he
Will simply append his signature, with
the word approved" to the whole
record. The court itself recommends
no further proceedings, owing to the
lapse of time
representative OF the Associated
Press conveyed the first intimation of
the findings OF the court to Admiral
Schley He was seated in the public
reception room of a hotel chatting
with friends and several newspaper
men, and evinced no signs of nervous.
ness over the outcome.
schley Showed Pleasure.
When the conclusions of Admiral
Dewey were read to him Admiral
Schley showed his pleasure, and It
was evident from his manner that he
regarded the statement from Admiral
Dewey as a vindication of his cause.
He declined to make any statement
concerning the caurts findings, and
cxcusing himself from the little com.
pany which had gathered about him,
went to his apartments, where Mrs.
Schley had been anxiously awaiting
to hear the courts decision. Later
tho official copy was brought to the
hotel by messenger from the navy
department. oanl ~
Admiral Dewey was seen last night
and declined to make any statement
concerning the courts findings, He
said that the court was not dissolved
and that he was still bound to his
oath of secrecy.