The Washington times., 1901-07-25
THE sCHLEY INVESTIGATION.

InE SOdLEI LIN tESIluAIlON.
The Sampson-SchIey controversy has
reached stage where a fun and impartial
inquiry into the facts at issue and an
authoritative decision have become ab-
soiuteIy necessary.
Sentiment in the navy is so notoriously
inimical to Admiral Schley that no ver-
dict of a court of it's officers could possi-
bly, command general respect The only
alternative is judicial hearing by spe
cial Congressional commission.
This is matter that should be probed
to the bottom without regard for per-
sonal feelings or respect-for rank.
Because of information that has come
to light within the past week II appears
that Admiral Schiey should welcome the
most searching scrutiny of his official
conduct.
The questions at issue In this contro-
versy are too grave to be tried in the
newspapers, though it cannot be denied
that the newspapers have rendered a gem
uine service in the interests of truth and
Justice by extorting essential evidence
from reluctant witnesses. 1t Is to be
sincerely hoped that when Congress re-
assemblies next winter II will require a
fair tribunal to exhaust the merits of the
case. to the end that a just verdict be
rendered for all time.-Philadeiphia North
American.
Undoubtedly an investigation Is needed.
A pretty fair one should be had through
the law courts If the defamed Admiral
shall bring action against Maclay and his
publisher. Failing that Congress should
order an enquiry and make sure IL Is a fair
one. for it will make history for posterity.
The controversy that has been going on
for more than two years is detrimental
to the Navy Department and disgractfu1.
The attacks of Sampson, Chadwick, and
Evans are open enough to call for official
notice and the taking of the testimony of
all the gallant officers who participated
in the Cuban naval campaigu.-Pittsburg
Dispatch.
The political scoundreIs who cannot for
give Schley for winning victory that
Sampson might have won if he had been
on hand when the Spanish squadron ran
out of Santiago Harbor are very anxious
that >Schley should demand an enquiry
before court of their own making. But
the court of public opinion has already
nou-suited them--Brookiyn Citizen.
Admiral Sampson stands by Historian
Maclay: but Secretary Long rejects him,
and other naval celebrities show an in
cleasing aloofness. There is now good
reason to expect either an enquiry In the
H.
which would serve to bring out the truth
and put an end to most unseemly con-
troversy.-PhiladelDhia Record
1t is not necessary for AamiraI Schley
to demand court of enquiry for his vim
dication as sailor and gentleman, al
though he has decided to do so. In spite
Of the jealousy, malice, and faIsehood of
naval bureaucrats. who tried to rob him
Of his honors; in spite of malevoIent and
mendacious writer's of alleged histories
under bureau patronage and protection,
Admiral Schley's place is secure in his
tory and in the hearts of his countrymen.
Seventy-fiye million people have sat as a
court of supreme authority and have rem
dered a verdict that the hero of Santiago
is Winfield Scott Schley. No court of in
quiry or court-martiaI will ever change
that verdict
The only men who have reason to re-
gret that Schley will demand court are
his enemies and detractors, from the bonn
bastic and most unfortunate Sampson up
and down. Before such court the truth
Is sure to come out, for in the face of
aroused public sentiment not even John
D. Long. who has smirched his own char
acter and blighted his own career by his
gross injustice to the winner Of one of
the greatest naval victories in the his
tory of the world. will dare to pack the
court with partisans and creatures of
Crowninshield and Sampson
These are the brightest days for Ad-
miral Schley since he sunk Cervera's
ships with Sampson on the best cruiser
Of his fleet not within signaling distance
of the fight whose honors he tried to
steaL-Philadelphia Times.
When we have followed the affair
through all it's phases. the conclusion is
that the department and the Sampson
ties could not have afforded a court-mar-
tial, and Schley could not, and cannot,
afford to have a court of enquiry. But,
for the reputation of the navy and the
country. and in the interest of justice,
and the exact truth, We would wish
to see the matter fully investigated by
an impartial committee of Congress And
to that consummation we believe il Is
going to come at last. That 1t ought to
come to that consunnmation is. we
think. emphasized by the compromise the
department proposes to make with Ma
clay, and which. in our view. accentu-
ates the evidence that the department
has been, and is, on the defensive in its
course touching the scandal-Richniond
Dispatch
Verify the naval department by its
shameless intrigues has succeeded in more
than eclipsing all the glory that the brave
men of the ships won in the Spanish war.
and only that an investigation Is neces-
sary to clear the name of a gallant sea-
man IL We're much better to let the whole
matter rest where 1T is rather than de-
grade the American Government in tin.
eyes of the world--Peoria Herald-Tran-
script.
This new knowledge promises to reopen
the case at the coming session of Con-
gress. Admiral Schley has many friends
in that body, and the probabilities are
that an investigation will be ordered At
all events Schley has lost nothing by the
re-opening of the controversy. Ii is GER
tain that Sampson has gained nothing
Philadelphia Item
1t is clearly the duty of the Secretary,
not Schley's to learn why Sampson did
not convey the code to Schley. and to
see that Sampson is called to account for
disobedience of orders and .reprehensible |
conduct" for it is well established now |
that Sampson is guilty of these things |
which Long. CrowninShield. and others of |
the clique have been so anxious to fasten |
upon Schley.-Baltimore World.
The Administration would doubtless be
delighted to get Sehley before a naval |
court of enquiry of its own choosing. Cen |
eral Miles. another Spanish war hero. who |
Jared badly at Administration hands when |
he became too popular. can give the hero |
of Santiago some points on departmental |
trials under this Administration.-Whe |
ing Register
The officers of Cervera's fleet should |
watch the proceedings in Admiral Schley's |
case against Mr. Maelay not only with /
interest but with high hopes. III Mr.. Ma |
CLAWS theory that the admiral is a cow |