The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-14
COURT DIVIDES.
Two Reports Made in the Schley
Inquiry.
Majority Finds Against Admiral
on Eleven Counts.
DEWEY STANDS BY HIM
Files Separate Report Taking
View Opposed to Majority.
Regards Schley as in Supreme
Command at Santiago
And Entitled to the Credit of
the Great Victory.

Washington, Dec 1.-THE report OF
the Schley court of inquiry has been
promulgated by Secretary Long
There are two reports Admirals
Benham and Ramsey concur in the
first, which is signed by Admiral Dewey
as g. matter of form Admiral Dewey
makes a separate report. although he
agrees with the findings of facts sub
scribed to by the others.
The majority report condemns Ad-
niral Schley on eleven points, while
Admiral Dewey sustains him in import
ant particulars
The majority opinion finds, in brief,
that Admiral Schley should have pro-
ceeded with the utmost dispatch to
Ctenfuegos and maintained a close
blockade; that he should have endeaV-
ored to have obtained information of
the Spanish squadron there; that he
should have proceeded to Santiago with
dispatch; that he should not have made
the retrOgrade movement; that he should
have obeyed the departments orders;
that he should have endeavOred to cap
ture the Spanish vessels in Santiago;
that he did not do his utmost to destroy
the Colon; that he caused the squadron
to lose distance in the loop of the
Brooklyn; that he thereby caused the
Texas to back that he did injustice to
Hodgson; that his conduct in the cam
paign was characterized by vacillation,
dilatoriness and lack of enterprise; that
MS OIuClal reports on the coal supply
were misleading and Inaccurate; that
his conduct during the battle was self
possessed, and that he encourage in
his own person his subordinate officers
and men.
AS DEWEY SEES IT
Admiral Dewey, in his special report,
says that the passage to Cienfuegos
was made with all dispatch; that, in
view of his coal supply, the blockade of
Cienfuegos was effective; that he al
lowed the Adula to enter Cienfuegos to
get information; that his passage to
Santiago was with as much dispatch
as possible, keeping the squadron to-
gether; that the blockade of Santiago
was effective and, finally, that he was
the senior officer off Santiago, in abso-
lutte CON mand and entitled to the credit
due for the glorious victory which re-
suited in the total destruction of the
Spanish ships
The most prolonged. interesting and
important naval tribunal ever held in
this country came to a close after hav-
ing, in open and secret session, lasted
one week short of three months. when
Secretary Long received the findings of
the court of inquiry For seven weeks
the court heard testimony and for fully
month it deliberated upon that mass
of evidence, finally reaching the con-
clusions announced today. The result
was complete surprise. and it is prob
able that no prophecy has approached
the truth
Instead of one report, there are two
Both are signed by George Dewey pres
Judge advocate. This is a form said to
be recognized in all courts of inquiry
the signatures of the other member
not being necessary. But it is explain
ed that Admiral Dewey signed the sec
ond report, a minority report to ex-
press his qualification of or dissent
frOm the views expressed by the court
comprising, besides himself Admirals
Benhan and Ramsey, in the first re-
port.
1t is said at the navy department that
there will be no further proceedings in
this celebrated case on the departments
initiative. Secretary Long and Judge
advocate Lemly positively decline to
discuss the findings in any phase
The court itself recommends no fur
ther proceedings, owing to the lapse of
time
SCHLEY FEELS INDICATED. ,
A representative of the Associated
Press conveyed the first information of
the findings of the court to Admiral
reception room of hotel, chatting with
friends and several newspaper men and
evinced no signs of nervousness over
the outcome.
When the conclusions of Admiral
Dewey We're read to him, Admiral
Scpley showed his pleasure and it was
evident from his manner that he re-
garded the statement from Admiral
DeWey as VlndicatlOn of his cause. He
declined TO make any statement con-
cerntns the courts findings and ex-
cuslng himself from the little company
Wnlch had gathered about him. went to
MS apartments, where Mrs Schley had
peen anxlously awaiting to hear the
court 5 decision Later the official copv
was brought to the hotel by a nessen
ger from the navy department.