Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-08
SCHLEY COURT OF
INQUIRY CLOSED.
Capt. LemIy Presents Side of Navy
Department,
NO MORE PUBLIC SESSIONS.
Never Thought for u Moment That
Admiral Was a Coward. but That
He Was Unsteady Of Purpose.

Washington. Nov. 7,--After sittings
covering forty days and with record
which, when completed, Will cover 2OOO
pages, the Schley court Of inquiry, at
S:45 this afternoon, adjourned its last
public session. To Capt. s. c. Lemly,
the advocate, had been assigned
the duty Of making the closing argu-
ment in the case, and soon after he had
finished his speech. Admiral Dewey,
bringing his gavel down on the big fiat
table, said There being no further
business. the court is adjourned"
As was the case yesterday when Mr..
Raynor spoke. the attendance was
large, There was only one session dur
ing the day. 1t began at O'Clock, ana
the entire time was taken up with
Capt. Lemly's address. He read his
speech In clear and distinct tones and
was given careful attention. The
speech In the main was an analysis of
the testimony, but occasionally con-
clusion was drawn. and frequently
there was criticism Of the course pur-
sued by Admiral (then COMMODORE
Schley.
sCHLEY's COURSE CRITICISED.
Speaking Of Commodore schley's con-
duct, Capt. Lemly said. From my
knowledge Of the man. having served
under him as commander on two
cruises, | have never believed, nor do
] claim from the evidence that person.
al misconduct, or, to call spade
spade. cowardice was exhibited by
Commodore Schley In any part OF his
career as commander-in-chief OF the
flying squadron But ! submit with re-
greet that In the passage from Key
West TO Cienfuegos, while at the lat
ter port, en- route to the southwark OF
Santiago without settled destination.
In the retrogr9de movement, In thu
return 20 the vicinity of Santiago. ana
In the affair Of May 81, the commodor.
exhibited unsteadiness In purpose and
In push and failure TO obey orders"
This statement was made toward the
close OF Capt. Lemly's remarks. After
the adjournment. the members OF the
court, Admiral Schley and counsel lin
gered for a time about the hall Ia
which they recently have spent so
much OF their time, and there were
many affectionate words Of farewell
spoken. Admiral Schley. as usual was
called upon to receive the greetings OF
a number Of admirers. and a hundred
or more people waited at the door OF
the hall 10 bid him adieu
LEMLY READS ARGUMENT.
Capt. Lemly used no formallty in be-
ginning his address when the court
convened. but rising quietly from his
seat opposite the tribunal. began TO
read. He said az the outset that his
plan contemplated frat response TO
certain statements OF Admiral Schley's
counsel. and then presentation OF the
subject In hand on an independent
basis. He requested 60 be corrected II
he should make any errors OF facts. He
then entered upon a careful analysis
Of the testimony brought out at the
hearing.
McALLA SIGNALS.
Referring TO the McCalla signals. he
said II was clear that the Marhlehead
had not arrived at Key West when the
flying squadron sailed, and therefor.
that these signals could not have been
communicated 20 Commodore Schley
there. There Is little doubt. however"
he said. that n the commodore had
upon meeting the Msrblehead. directed
Commander McCalla 10 report on board
the flagship he would have been fully
informed as 10 the signals. notwith-
standing the commanders declared
purpose to preserve them with as much
secrecy as practicable for the protection
OF the insurgents themselves But. In
dependently Of any suggestion. was not
Il incumbent upon the commodore him.
self TO make an EFFORT Was he justi-
Ned In this and other similar matters.