The Savannah morning news., 1901-07-24
THE TREATMENT OF SCHLEY.
Continued from First rageA

the gallant men occupying the high
positions in the naval line to insin
uate that they can be Influenced di-
rectly or indirectly at the dictation
of Crowinshield. 1t is nevertheless a
fact that he completely dominates the
navy from the secretary down and the
friends of Schley realize that justice
from such a source is absolutely i'm
possible.
1t is most remarkable that no rea-
sonable pretext is offered by the
Crowninshield clique for this persist
ent and unwarranted persecution of
Rear Admiral Schley. 1t is also as
tonishing that Secretary Long should
so readily lend himself TO the robbers
of Schleys reputation. The latest
disclosures regarding Maclays history
place. the distinguished Secretary in a
very awkward position, and he will
have to give "a better explanation of
his part in the disgraceful proceedings
than he has thus far advanced. Va
rious suggestions have been made as
to the best methods by which Rear
Admiral Schley can obtain redress and
bring his villifiers to Judgment.
ScbIey Maintains silence
An investigation by Congress would
naturally fall into the hands of either
the Naval committee Oh the f1OuSe VI
Senate Congressional committees as
rule are not productive of satisfac-
tory results. 1t is fair to assume. how
ever, that in view of the overwhelming
sentiment in both the House and the
Senate in favor of Admiral Schley, he
ought to obtain justice from such
source. 1t is reported that Admiral
Schley proposes to bring a libel suit
against Historian Maclay, and thus
force the question into the courts. In
the meantime Rear Admiral Schley IS
maintaining a dgnifed silence which
has characterized his action since the
controversy began. To those who en-
joy his confidence, he confesses that
he feels deeply the insults heaped upon
him by his enemies, and he hopes that
the time is not far distant when he
will secure a vindication which will
reveal the motives which inspired the
attempt to blacken his personal and
naval reputation.
SIMPSONS sad Condition.
Poor old Admiral Sampson, who was
the cause of all the trouble, has prac
tically eliminated himself from the
pending controversy by heroic efforts
to cure himself of a maligiant nervous
trouble. His nervous system has been
in terrible state of depletion for many
months. and the remedies he has en-
ployed to revive and restore his shat
tered constitution, have failed to pro-
duce the results hoped for and expect
ed by his family and immediate
friends. Although he is practically in
capaCitated for active service by rea-
son of his physical disability, he is
nevertheless the nominal head of the
Boston navy yard, where his duties arr
made just as light and free from re-
sponsibility as possible.
Evans Makes Admissions.
Rear Admiral Robley d. Evans.
known in modern naval history as
Fighting Bob" has been up to the
present time one of the fiercest critics
of Rear Admiral Schley. Rear Admiral
Evans is unable to stand for" all of
the misrepresentation alleged against
Rear Admiral Schley in connection
with the Santiago campaign. He now
admits in an authorized interview that
an injustice has been done to Rear Ad-
miral Schley is charging that he was
guilty of disobedience of orders at
Cienfuegoes. Rear Admiral Evans
states that Rear Admiral Schley and
Captain Cook of the Brooklyn, were
perhaps the only two officers of the
fleet who were not previously advised
of the code of signals arranged be-
tween the United States forces at sea
and the insurgents on land. This adj
mission explains why Admiral Schley
delayed his advancement to Santiago.
which has been so much commented
upon to his disadvantage.
schIey's Good Record.
There are few naval officers who
are willing to comment upon the Schley
controversy in quiet way. They ad-
NIT that there is nothing in the rec
ords to show that Schley displayed any
thing which might be tortured into an
exhibition of cowardice. On the, CON
trary, they say that his whole record
throughout his long service in the navy.
is filled with deeds of daring and ex-
hibitions of courage which entitled
him to the high esteem felt for him by
nine-tenths Of the American people to-
day. 1t is also secretly admitted in
naval circles that from the beginning
of the Spanish War, studied attempts
were made to disparage and degrade
Rear Admiral Schley. He accepted
without a murmur OF complaint assign
ment to duty under a junior officer,
Sampson. Throughout the campaign.
orders were issued and plans agreed
upon without his cooperation. In the
face of all these indignities, he has