The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-26
LONG ENDORSES VERDICT.
sUsTAlNs MAJORITY REPORT OF
COURT OF INQUIRY.
Holds that Sampson Was In Command
at Santiago and That Question
Was Not Before Court.

at Santiago and That Question
Was Not Before Court.
| Washington, Dec. 23-Secretary
Long has disposed finally of the
Schley case so far as the navy depart
ment is concerned, by acting upon the
| findings and conclusions Of the court
of inquiry.
| He approves the findings of fact
and the opinion of the full court: he
approves the majority opinion where
there is difference in the court; he
holds that the court could not have
| entered into a consideration of the
| question OF command at the battle of
Santiago; and finally he accepts the
j recommendation that no further pro-
ceedings shall be had.
The secretary also has declined the
application of Admiral SIMPSONS
counsel to enter upon an inquiry into
the question of command and has mott
fed Admiral Schley's counsel of that
fact as reason for declining to hear
them on that point. Secretary Longs
approval of the majority report was as
follows:
THE department has read the testi-
mony in this case; the argument of
counsel at the trial; the courts find
ings of fact, opinion and recommends
ton; the individual memorandum of
the presiding member; the statement
opinion by the applicant; the reply to
said statement by the judge advocate
of the court and his assistant, and the
brief this day submitted by counsel
for Rear Admiral Sampson traversing
the presiding members view as to who
was in command at the battle of San
tiago.
And after careful consideration the
findings of fact and the opinion of the
full court are approved.
AS to the points on which the pre-
siding member differs from the ma
jority of the court, the opinion of the
majority is approved.
AS to the further expression of
his views by the same member with
regard to the question of command on
the. morning of July 8, 1898. and of
the title of credit for the ensuing VIC
tory, the conduct of the court in MAX
ing no finding and rendering no OPP
inion on those questions is approved
Indeed, it could with propriety take
no other course, evidence on those
questions. during the inquiry, having
been excluded by the court.
The department approves the re-
coSlmendation of the court that no
further proceedings be had in the
premises.
THE department records it's ap-
probation of the ardous labors of the
whole court. (signed
John D. Long,
Secretary of the Navy"
Of fho ofor 81, LA -
Admiral SIMPSONS attorneys and to
Admiral Schley follows:
Navy Department, Washington,
Dec. 20, 1901.--In view of the depart
ment's approval this day of the recon-
mendation of the court of inquiry in
the case of Rear Admiral Schley, that
no further proceedings be had, and of
the fact that The question of command
was excluded from consideration by
the court, the department will take no
action upon the brief filed by you in
behalf of Rear Admiral William T.
Sampson. Very Respectfully,
John D. Long. Secretary"
"Messrs. Stayton, Campbell & Theall.
Johnston Building, No. 80 Broad
Street, New York"
Navy Department. Washington,
Dec. 20, 19O1-Sir: Referring to the de-
partment's letter of the 18th inst. you
are advised that action today has been
taken upon the findings, opinions and
recommendations of the court of in
quiry in your case, and upon the minor
ity opinion of the presiding member,
and copy of the Endorsement en-
bodying such action is herewith trans
mitted for your information.
In response to your request of the
18th instant, heretofore acknowledged,
that if a protest should be filed by
Rear Admiral w. T. Sampson relative
to the question of control of the naval
force during the battle of Santiago
and credit for the victory won in THAT
battle, you be accorded an opportunity
to present, through your counsel, oral
argument against such protest, you
are advised that brief on this sub
ject has this day been filed by Messrs.
Stayton, Campbell & Theall, counsel
for Admiral Sampson
In view, however, of the depart
| ment's approval of the recommends
ton of the court of inquiry that no
| further proceedings be had, and of the
fact that the question of command was
| excluded from consideration by the
| court, no action will be taken upon
said brief, and reply to that effect
(copy enclosedD has this day been
made to counsel for Admiral Sampson.
"A copy of the report of the judge
advocate OF the court and his assis-
tant upon your communication of the
18th instant, objecting to the approval
of the findings of the court, is also
herewith transmitted. Very Respect
fully,
John D. Long. Secretary.
Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schley,
Y: s. ~, retired, the Richmond,
Washington, D. c.
MAcLAY DEFIEs ROOSEVELT
Naval Historian Refuses Point Blank
to Resign.
New York Dec. 24=Edgar s Mao