Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-12-16
THE PUBLIC
PROTESTS
Majority Report in the SchIey
Case Meets With Hearty
Condemnation.
Old Naval Hero, Admiral
Dewey, the Only Square
Judge.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-With the
exception of in the circles dominated
by the Army and Navy club the re-
port on the Schley inquiry, promul-
gated last night, does not appear to
have met with general satisfaction.
1t is everywhere conceded that Ad-
miral Dewey alone stands for the peo-
pie. There were two reports pre-
sented to Secretary Long. Admiral
Benham and Admiral Ramsey. long
personal friends of Sampson signed
the first report. Admiral Dewey
signed the second The majority re-
port condemns Admiral Schley on
eleven points. Admiral Dewey gen
orally sustains him. The two non
lighting admirals find that Schley
should have maintained close block
ade at Cienfuegos and proceeded to
Santiago with dispatch. he should
have obeyed the orders of the depart
ment unreservedly; they find that he
did not do his utmost to destroy the
Colon, and that the loop of the Brook
lyn lost him the distance; that his
conduct showed a vacillating nature
and lack of enterprise that his re-
ports on coal were misleading that
during the battle he was self-possess-
ed and encouraged his men and Off
GERS. Dewey's minority report says
that Schley went to Cienfuegos with
all possible tlispatch,S that his coal
supply was well arranged and that
his passage to Santiago was made
as quickly as possible; that his block
ade was effective; that he was SEN
ior officer off Santiago in absolute
command and entitled to the full cred
it due for the glorious victory which
resulted In the total destruction of
the Spanish ships.
When the country at large read the
reports this morning the sentiment
generally was that Dewey alone
voiced the opinion OF the people, ir-
respective of party.
Admiral Schley refuses as yet to
comment upon the report. but his
counsel are outspoken and bitterly
disappointed. Captain Parker said
this morning that Dewey was the on
iy man capable of Judging, because
he was the only one of the three ad-
mirals who had ever been In a fight.
and he knew whereof he spoke.
The other gentlemen were splendid
officers and gentlemen, but they were
oratorical and not practical fighters.
The country. therefore. will readily
see whose opinion Is most worth hav-
ing. Captain Parker regretted it
II reported influences had aided in
bringing about a majority report in
opposition to the general sentiment
and the evidence presented His
associate counsel expressed the ut
most surprise at the findings and
said it was the duty of Schley to pro-
test and appeal and use every proper
legal and honorable form to have JUS
tice done him. His counsel would
insist upon this. and he believed the
country would support them.
The press throughout the nation,
so far as heard from this morning
are as a rule indignant at the find-
ings of the court and consider Ad-
miral Dewey's report the only one
worthy or credence. This is espec-
tally true of the papers of New York,
Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia.
OF course, the ultra Sampson organs
profess satisfaction simply that the
end of the trial has been reached, and
they commend the navy department
for refusing to have anything more to
do with the affair in any way, by ap-
peal or any other form.V
The later news from the Schley in
quiry case shows that the greatest ef-
fort was made to bring Admiral Dew
ey to a point where he would sign a
compromise verdict. But all efforts
were unsuccessful.
Admiral Dewey Is receiving hun
dreds Of complimentary and congratu-
latory kilograms for his minority re-
port. They come from all sorts Of
people. Democrats and Republicans
alike. It Is now known that the
country has to thank President Nc
Kinley for the appointment Of Admi-
raj Dewey at the head OF the board
Of inquiry, which was done against
the wishes OF the navy department
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