The Savannah morning news., 1901-08-07
NINE TO ONE FOR SCHLEY.
HOW PUBLIC OPINION is DIVIDED
on THE CONTROVERSY.

What "a Naval Omcer Has to Say ON
the Matter-The Presidents Posi-
tfon-A Leading Topic of Discus
sion in Washington--ShouI he
Naval CLIQUE Doesn't Want Thut
Distinction.
Washington, Aug. 6.-President Nc
Kinley, as the commander n-chief of
the army and navy, is deeply interested
in the agitation now going on over
Rear Admiral Schley and his partici-
patton in the battle of Santiago. l am
told, by one who is supposed to be fully
advised on the subject that 1t was
President Mckinley who interposed and
put an end to the disgraceful contro-
versy between the Sampson and Schley
forces in the United States Senate,
when the subject of promoting Samp-
SON over Schley was attempted by the
Navy Department combination, headed
by Rear Admiral Crowninshield.
President Mckinley is not only a be-
lever in fair play. but he is not will
ing that an incurable scar shall be
fastened on his last administration in
the White House by any injustice to
those who won glory and fame for
the United States government in the
Spanish American war. In addition to
insisting that there shall be a fair deal
in the Schley court of inquiry the
President is personally interested to
this extent. Notwithstanding all the
vague insinuations and unsupportable
allegations brought against Rear Ad-
miral Schley by his enemies in the
navy, the President virtually ignored
those charges, promoted the Rear Ad-
miral to his present rank, in considera-
ton for his gallant, courageous ana
meritorious services in the battle of
Santiago, and the Senate promptly and
by an overwhelming majority ratified
his promotion by confirmation. I'M
der the circumstances, the President
cannot afford to stultify himself, nor
can the senators who voted for Schley's
confirmation afford to have their action
'squeered" through the jealousies of the
naval clique, enemies of Schley, who
are envious of the honors which the
fortunes of war Unexpectedly bestowed
upon him.
Public sentiment, supported by the
statements of eye-witnesses of the bat
tie at Santiago, will undoubtedly have
considerably influence in settling the
dispute as to whether or not Rear Ad-
miral Schley is a coward or was guilty
of reprehensible conduct" 1t is as
tonishing how much interest lstaken in
this subject. 1t is not confined to wash
ington, but the subject is being dis
cussed in all parts of Europe, especial
ly among naval and military officers.
Without taking sides with either Samp-
son or Schley, the officer referred to
went on to say that it is unfortunate
for the naval service that such a dis
graceful contention should have arisen
in view of the glories achieved by the
navy in the Spanish American war.
Every man connected" he said,
with the naval establishment should
adopt the immortal remark made by
Schley when he said, There is glory
enough for us ALL / am not familiar
with the unpublished secrets of the
Navy Department, which 1t is said Will
be sprung upon the court of inquiry to
the disadvantage of Schley. He may
have been guilty of some slight indis-
cretions, relative to the prompt execu-
ton of orders, but it must be remem-
bered that the naval regulations give
a commanding officer wide discretion
in the exercise of his powers while at
sea- Almost every article in the regu-
lations conclude with this sentence: AT
the discretion of the commanding Of
ficer.'"
Continuing, my naval friend said: 1T
is a remarkable coincidence that the
two officers of the navy. Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admiral Schley,
should have come out of the Spanish
war with first honors. There is an
impression in naval circles that the
powers that be in the Navy Depart
ment would have preferred that these
honors should have fallen upon some
other officers, for, as a matter OF fact,
there seems to have been an unexplain-
able prejudice against both Dewey and
Schley at the Navy Department which
antedates the Spanish war. You will
remember that in the early stages of
the war Sampson and other officials,
the juniors of Schley, were given i'm
portant commands, while Schley was
offered shore duty. Schley repeatedly
appealed to the department for sea
duty, as he was anxious to be engaged
in active service on warship. AS an
afterthought, or as a consola ton prize,
brought about by the agitation of the
subject in the newspapers of the coun>
try, supported by Schleys influential
friends the flying squadron was Great
ed and Schley was subsequently placed
in command. He was assigned to duty
under the direction of his junior Rear
Admiral Sampson, without a murmur.
1t was probably notifying and humili-
ating, according to naval ethics for
senior to be placed under orders from
a junior. So far as / can understand,
Schley made no protest or complaint,
but proceeded to do his duty according
to his best ability. / am not prepared
to defend the technical violation of or
ders charged against Schley. but as /