The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-07
SCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY
Secretary Long Grants the Rear-Ad-
miraPs Request
ADMIRAL DEWEY WILL. PRESIDE

statements In m8cl6y's Naval htStoFy sne
Ground Of Rear-Adnairal schley's Acs
don-Court, Consisting OF Three Mem.
bers, May Meet Early In September -
Points Investigation Will Cover.
Washington, D. C.-Secretary Long
received letter from Rear-AdmiraI
Schley, calling attention to the critic.
isms against him contained in Ma
clay's History of the Navy" and the
inuendoes which have appeared in the
press for several days. and stating
that, in his opinion. the time had now
come to take such action as would
bring the entire matter under the
"clear and calm review of his brothers
in arms" He asked that the Depart
ment take such action as was deemed
best to accomplish this purpose
Although Rear-Admiral Schley did
not ask specifically for a court Of in
quiry, but left the action to be. taken
to the judgment Of the Department,
the Secretary decided that such a
court would be the best means of
making the investigation which the
Rear-Admiral had requested.
After q conference with Admiral
Dewey, Secretary Long said that ne
had not had time to decide upon the
composition Of the court, but in re-
sponse to q question as to whether
Admiral Dewey would serve upon such
a court, If requested to do so, the
Secretary said:
Admiral Dewey will do his duty"
Although no positive declaration was
given on this point, it was assumed
about the Navy Department that Ad-
miral Dewey will be president Of the
court, which will inquire into the
whole controversy concerning Admiral
Schley's action during the Spanish
War.
There also Is On impression that the
two other members of the court will
be retired naval officers, or at least
officers who had no connection with
the Santiago campaign. ...
The court Of inquiry probably will
not proceed with it's work until fall.
Following Is the text Of the cores
pondence between Rear-Admiral Schley
and Secretary Long: F,
"Great Neck, Long Island, N. Y: ;
"Sir-Within the past few days a
series of press comments have been
sent to me from various parts OF the
country Of book entitled "The His
tory Of the Navy written by one
Edgar Stanton Maclay. From these,
reviews it appears that this edition;
| Is a third volume of the said history,
extended to include the late war with
Spain, which the two first volumes
| did not contain, and were In use as
| textbooks at the naval academy.
"2. From excerpts quoted IN some
reviews, in which the page and para
| graph are given, there Is such per-
! version of facts.> misconstruction OF
| intention, such intemperate abuse and
defamation of myself as subject Mr..
Maclay to action In civil law.
"While I admit the right Of fair
| criticism of every public officer, must
protest against the low f1ings aid
abusive language of this violent, parti-
| san opponent, who has infused into
| the pages of his book so much Of the
malice of unfairneSs rs to make 1t
unworthy the name Of history or of
use in any reputable institution OF the
country.
"3. I have refrained heretofore from
all comment upon the inuendoes Of
enemies, muttered or murmured in
secret, and therefore with safety to
| themselves. I think the time has now
come to take such action as may bring
| this entire matter under discussion
| under the clearer and calmer review
of nv brothers In arms, and to this
end ask such action at the hands
of the Department as 1t may deem
best to accomplish this purpose.
81. But I would express the re-
| quest in this connection, whatever the
| action may be. that it occur In Wash
ington, where most Of my papers and
data are stored. Very respectfully,
W. s. SCHLEY.
"Rear-A Admiral U. s. N.
ITO the Secretary OF the Navy, wash
ington, D. c."
"Nayy Department.. Washington.
"Sir-I am in receipt of yours Of the
22d inst, with reference to the criti-
cisms upon you in connection with the
| Spanish-American war, and heartily
approve of your action, under the cir
| cumstances, in asking at the hands OF
| this Department such action as may
| bring this entire matter under discus
sion under the clearer and calmer re-
view of my brothers in arms The
Deparement will at once proceed in
accordance with your request. Very
Respectfully, JOHN D. LONG.
"Rear-Admiral W. S. Schley, U. S. N"
With respect to the matters to be in
ouired into by the court Of inquiry
| the Post says that it might be difficult
| to state briefly the exact questions
| which will come before the court, but
| that Admiral Schley condensed them
| in q letter written to Senator Hale,
| Chairman Of the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs, on February IS. 1899.
This letter divides the criticisms Of
himself into four heads. as follows:
First-The alleged delay OF Cienfue-
COS, Cuba.
Second-Thc alleged slow progress
toward Santiago dc Cuba from Cien-
fuegoS.
Third - The retrograde movements
on May 26 and 81. (This refers to the
turning Of the fleet from Santiago to-
ward Key West).
Forrth-The battle Of Santiago end
the destruction of Cervera's fleet
To Reduce the Philippine Army.
Generals Corbln and Chaffee have