Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1901-08-01
The SCHLEY COURT OF INQUIRY.
An Exchange Of Correspondence Between
Schley and the Navy Department.


4 Washington, Aug. 1.-The navy de-
partment refused to accede to Admir-.
al Schleys suggestion that the Ian
guage of the fifth specification of the
precept to the court of inquiry bt
modified.
| The admiral challenges the fiftI
specification, which states as fact
that he disobeyed orders and suggest.
ed that it be modified. The department
in reply declines to make the suggested
modification on the ground that ac-
cording to official records Schley him
self acknowledged that he disobeyed
orders. Disobedience was an estab-
lished fact whether unwillingly or will
lingly.
A REPRIMAND FOR YOUNG
SCHLEY.
| Washington, Aug. 1.-The war de-
partment has taken cognizance of the
published interview of Captain Thom-
as r. Schley regarding the court of in
quiry upon his father, Rear Admiral
Schley. 1t is understood that the de-
partment informed the captain that
such interviews are contrary to army
regulations.
ADMIRAL SCHLEY'S LETTER.
Washington, Aug. Following L. are
the letters passed between Admiral
tschley and the navy department res
pecting the precept:
Great Neck, N, Y, July 27.-Sirs I
have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the departments communi-
cation 81 July 20, lnc1osfng the copy of
the order ''convening, pursuant to the
request contained in my communica-
tion of the 22d instant, court of in
quiry." Inasmuch as the court is di-
rected to Investigate" and after such
investigation, to report full and de-
tailed statement Of all pertinent facts
which it may deem to be established,
together with its opinion and recon-
mendation in the premises"
I would respectfully suggest to the
department that paragraph five Of the
departments precept which is as fol-
lows, viz:
IS The circumstances attending and
the reasons for the disobedience by
Commodore Schley of the orders Of the
department contained in its dispatch
dated May 25, 1898, and the propriety
of his conduct in the premises" be
modified SO as to omit the depart
ment's expression of opinion and thus
leave the court free to express it's own
opinion in that matter. Very respect
fully, w. s. Schley, Rear Admiral.
THE REPLY.
Navy Department, Washington, D.
received your letter of the 9th ultimo,
in which you acknowledge the receipt
of the copy of the order convening, at
your request, court of inquiry to in
vestigate your conduct during the war
with Spain. and suggesting that para
graph 5 Of said order, directing the
court to inquire into "the Circumstance
es attending and reasons for the diso-
bedience by Commodore Schley, of the
orders Of the department" ETC., "be
81 AioutiCu DO ~ OAllL tAc ucpdIl-
ment's expression Of opinion, and thus
leave the court free to express it's
own opinion in that matter" In reply
you are advised that the precept calls
lor an inquiry by the court and the
ascertainment of pertinent facts. For
the purpose of setting on foot this in
quiry, the precept treats certain mat
ters as established such for instance as
the arrival of the flying squadron off
Cienfuegos and off Santiago; the re-
trogade movement westward, the turn
Of the Brooklyn on July 8, 1898, and the
fact that you disobeyed orders, as re-
ported by you in your telegram dated
Kingston, May 2s. 1898, in which you
say: Much to be regretted, cannot
obey the orders of the department"
Inasmuch, however, as 1t is the de-
partment's purpose that the court
shall be absolutely free to report, II
such shall be found to be the case,
that you did not willfully disobey or
ders, or that you We're justified in dis
obeying them, and that this may be
clearly understood, your letter Of the
9th ultimo, with copy of this reply
will be duly forwarded to the court.
Very respectfully, F. W. Hackett,
Acting Secretary.
Rear Admiral Winfield s. Schley,