The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-12-20
SUSTAINED BY DEWEY
Majority of Naval Court Finds
Schley at Fault.
Hero of Santiago Condemned on
ELEVEN Points-COnduct During
the Battle Commended.

Washington, Dee. 13.-The most pro-
longed, interesting and important naval
tribunal ever held in this country came
to close today, having ip open and
secret session lasted one week short of
three months, when Secretary Long was
handed the findings of the court of in
quiry which inquired into the conduct of
Rear Admiral Schley during the Santi-
ago campaign. For several weeks the
court heard testimony and for nearIy-a
month it deliberated upon the mass of
evidence, finally reaching the conclusion
announced. The result was a complete
surprise, and it is probable that no
prophecy has approached the truth. In
stead OF one report there are two. They
are signed by George Dewey as president
and by Samuel Lemley as Judge advo-
cate. This is a form recognized in all
courts OF inquiries, the signatures of
other members not being necessary. But
1t is explained that Admiral Dewey
signed the second report, a minority re-
port, to express his qualification Of or
dissent from the views expressed bv the
court, comprising beside himself Ad-
mirals Benham and Ramsey. in the first
report.
Majority Findings.
The majority report condemns Ad-
miral Schley on IL points, while Ad-
miral Dewey sustains him in most
places. The majority opinion finds in
brief that Admiral Schley should have
proceeded with the utmost dispatch tn
Cienfuegos and maintained close block
ade; that he should have endeayored to
have obtained information of the Span
lsh there; that he should have proceeded
to Santiago with dispatch: that he
should not have made the retroprade
movement; that he should have obeyed
the departments orders; that he should
have eDdeavored to capture the Spanish
vessels IN Santiago; that he did not do
his utmost 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
be did injustice to Hodgeon; that his
conduct in the campaign was character
ized by vacillatiOn, dilatOriness, and
lack OF enterprise that his official re-
ports on the coal supply were mislead-
Ing and inaccurate; that his conduct
during the battle was self-pOssessed, and
that he encouraged in bis own person
his subordinate officers and men.
Minority Conclusions.
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 effective; that he allowed the Adua
to enter CienfuegOs to get information;
that his passage to Santiago was with
as much dispatch as possible, keeping
the squadron together; that the block
ade of Santiago was effective and, final
ly, that be was the senior officer of
in absolute command, and
entitled to the credit due for the glori-
GUS victory which resulted in the total
destruction of the Spanish ships.
recommendation
In view of the length of time which
has elapsed since the occurrence of the
events OF the Santiago campaign, the
court recommends that no further pro-
ceedings be had in the premises.
1t is said at the navy department that
there will be no further proceedings in
this celebrated case on the departments
initiative. Secretary Long and Judge
Advocate Lemly positively decline to dis
cuss the findings in any phase.
Admiral Schley declined to make any
statement concerning the courts find
ings. When the conclusions OF Admiral
pleasure, and it was evident from his
manner that he regarded the statement
from Admiral Dewey as a vindication OF
his cause.
RaynOr Not Satisfied.
Isador Raynor, counsel for Admiral
Schley, showed keen disappointment
when the findings of the court we're COM
municated to him. He will counsel Ad-
miral Schley to fight the case to a finish
by every appeal that is possible: He
said: 81 am absolutely satisfied that
the opinion of the two judges is at total
variance with the opinion OF the country,
and this will not by any means termin-
ate the controversy"
Schley Ready for Action.
Baltimore, Md, Dec. 15.-Admiral
Schley has notified Attorney General
RaynOr that he is ready to take any ac-
tion with reference to his case that Mr..
Raynor may advise. When asked
whether he favors congressional investi-
cation, Mr.. Raynor said: 81 doubt
whether proceeding OF this sort is the
proper one. 1t generally assumes a
political aspect. At this time | am OF
the opinion that matters should be
prosecuted in the courts. There are
plenty of ways in which this can be
done, and this week we will begin to con-
suit and deternino uDOn Our cOurae of
action"
Secretary Will Wait.
Washington, Dec. 16.-After a consul
tatfon with his counsel, Isidor Raynor
and NJ. A. league, Admiral Schley au-
thorized Mr.. league to make the follow
ing statement:
"We have been in consultation as to
what further proceedings shall be taken.
Nothing definite has been determined on,
so far as civil or criminal action OF any
kind against Maclay and bis sponsors is
concerned. Maclay's claim that the
findings of the court are a vindication
for himself and his book is absolutely
spurious. There are no less than half a
dozen instances in the book in which.
even if he were to accept the findings OF
the court and incorporate them in the
volume and change it to suit the find
ings, the book would still be criminal
libel"
Mr.. league has also addressed letter
to Secretary Long, asking that approval
OF the findings OF the court be withheld
until objections thereto could be filed,
which request was granted by the secre-
tary. "He will except to the findings OF