The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-12

Santiago, or whether its desire that thf
should be done was simply indicated
appears to me under all the circum.
stances, TO be fmmateriaI. D~isobedienc.
of orders may be an imperative and
glorious duty; but, IL it be not justiheC
by the facts, II CANNOT be condoned bJ
terming IL an error Of judgment. This
was not an error OF Judgment: IL wa.
an error Of conduct"
Referring to the b-ombardment OF Nav
31st, Captain Lemly said that even as
a reconnaissance, the affair was futile.
BATTLE OF SANTIAGO.
Coming to the battle Of July 3rd. Cap
tain Lemly said:
II have never doubted, and he evil
dence adduced confirms my view in
this respect, that the BROOKLYN as a
ship, did conspicuous duty in this bat
tie. On the other hand / submit that
the evidence shows that it was a cap
tain fight and, without disparagment
OF Commodore Schley's personal con-
duct on that occasion, hat there was
no such concerted action of the vessels
engaged az to indicate their ~countrol
by any M person"
Discussing the Brooklyn's loop, Cap
tain Lemly expressed the opinion based
upon evidence, that in turning to star
board when all the other American
vessels turned TO port, the Brooklyn
endangered not only the Texas, but
other vessels as well. The responsible
ity for this move, he argued, rested en-
tirely Dol Commodore Schley, and il
could not be delegated to any one by
him as a squadron commander. At
best the loop was a tremendous risk and
/ submit, without adequate justifica-
ton. Whatever dispatch the Brooklyn
ran in making this turf he contended
that she did turn from, instead of to-
wards the enemy.
1T would seem, he said, that she
should have adopted the other course,
If not for the purpose of placing her
self nearer Cervera'S ships, at least in
order to escape n possibility of en-
dangering or delaying the other vessels
of our squadron. For a she been
more imperiled individually by star
boarding her helm, no injury to her
from the enemy could have equalled the
dire results of two United States ships
virtually committing suicide"
After discussing briefly the Hodgson
incident and Commodore Schley's al
legged remark Damn the Texas" which
he said he did not consider a very grave
matter, Captain Lemly closed his speech
and the entire argument of the case
with the words quoted above express
ing his belief that no cowardice was
exhibited by Commodore Schley, add
ing:
II trust that 1 may be pardoned if
remind you. gentlement, that the first
Importance of the matters before you
is not as they relate to n individual,
but as they concern the laval service.
1t is for you to lay down a standard Of
conduct, to be followed in future similar
cases-a standard sue as that set by
our great naval commanders"
SIMPSONS REQUEST REFUSED.
The Schley court of inquiry has de-
clined to grant the request made yes
terday by Attorney Theall, acting for
Admiral Sampson, that the remarks of
Captain Parker concerning the fact that
the Spanish steamer Colon lay in the
harbor at Santiago for some hours at
ter the arrival there of Admiral Samp-
son be stricken from the record. Ad-
miral Dewey writing for the court says
hat this action has been taken after
careful consideration.