New-York tribune., 1901-09-09
THE CASE OF REAR-ADuIRAL scHLEY

The curious tone Of much recent newspaper
discussion leads us TO think it may be worth
while 10 recall trite fact 10 the attention of
some newspaper editors and others. In the
Naval Court Of Inquiry, which is soon 10 meet,
it is not the Navy Department thar is on trial.
The American people have every reason 10 he
satisfied with and proud of their Navy Depart
5nent under the present Secretary and his prede-
-cessors. Against difficulties far greater than
have been generally known they have recreated
the American Navy. have made it one of the
most efficient in the world. have protected our
own coasts and overwhelmed the enemy in the
late war. and have given the world as signal
lesson in ironclad warfare they did over
third Of a century ago i'm Hampton Roads. The
Navy Department is not on trial. 1t has been
tried and not found wanting
II is worth while TO consider just what this
Court OF Inquiry has been called for. and to
permit nobody 10 distract the public attention
from that exact point. From the earliest reports
of the naval battle off Santiago on to this time,
II has been known that there was more or less
discomfort with the conduct Of Commodore
Schley prevailing among a great many Of his
fellow officers. Notwithstanding this profes-
Eional disapproyal. he was promoted to be Rear
Admiral, after the request of Admiral Sampson
that ample justice be done him for his part in
that engagement" Since then it is known that
the professional opinion has remained largely
unfavorable 10 his conduct and that many
believe an order for a court martial would
have been more appropriate, Notwithstanding
The good feeling that followed the victory. than
The order for promotion. Finally a writer on
our Naval History, whose previous volumes had
been found sufficiently correct and minute TO
warrant their being included among the books
of reference which naval cadets were advised
20 consult for details in our history issued with
lout official sanction an additional volume about
recent naval events in the course of which
Rear-Admiral Schleys conduct AT Santiago was
spoken OF in terms of unusual not 10 saw
unwarrantable and offensive severity Then
at last, the Rear-AdmiraI asked for a Court of
Inquiry. the limit Of time having elapsed within
which court martial world have been pos
sible. He is certainly right in asking for an
invest lgatiOn, and we even venture 10 think
that an acuter sensibility might well have led
10 a much earlier request for IT, Pending the
result Of this inquiry il does not seem 10 The
Tribune becoming to undertake either the de-
fence Of Rear-Adniirsl Schley or an attack upon
him. We are not called upon. even if compe
tent and fully informed, to try the case of an
officer. who has grown old I'm the service Of his
country in advance Of the legally authorized
court to which that case has been referred: and
we should be glad If our brethren Of the press
could generally see IN the same light with our
selves the prOpriety Of awaiting the courts
decision.
But in the midst OF the chorus of newspaper
quips and retorts and invective about the con
dncf-nOt Of Rear-Admlral Schley. but of the
Navy Department, Of Admiral Sampson. OF
1esr. Admiral HOwisOn, of the Assistant Secre-
tary Of the Navy. Of this or that officer. whose