The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-07-30
GROUNDS TO
Be COVERED
PREcEPT TO scHLEY COURT OF
INQUIRY.
WANT PERTINENT FACTS
Concerning Entire Movements Of
Flying squadron-Also 0pin-
ion and Recommendations.

ion and Recommendations.
Washington, July 26-The precept
to the Schley court Of inquiry. which
the navy department has been prepar-
ing for several days was given to the
public this afternoon. It is a docu.
ment addressed to Admiral Dewey, as
president Of the court, i%nstructing
him concerning the matters to be in
vestigated. While it directs that the
"entire matter" of Admiral Schley's
conduct during the operations in West
Indian Yates, shall be investigated,
making use Of the very words employ
ed by Admiral Schley in his letter to
Secretary Long, it also selects certain
distinctive acts OF the rear admiral,
concerning the facts and the propriety
of which it calls for particular investi-
cation. These points cover briefly
Admiral Schley's alleged delay with
the flying squadron at Cienfuegos,
the slowness Of his progress toward
Santiago after leaving Cienfuegos,
h eretrograde movement toward Key
West, the effectiveness Of the bonn
bardment Of the Spanish fleet at the
ranges used in the reconnaissance Of
May 81, the state Of the coal supply
On various ships when he t~elegraphed
the department that he would return
to Key West, the loop Of the Brook.
lyn at Santiago, the accuracy Of his
reports and matters relating to the
controversy between him and Com
mander Hodgson over the alleged col
loqy, which is said to have taken place
aboard the Brooklyn when the loop
was made during the naval engage
ment off Santiago. With the excep-
ton Of the last two counts, the others
practically sum up the criticisms of
Admiral Schley's conduct made by
Secretary Long to the senate which
SAO 0NSASN0Ay Lila 0OIVl4AO0 d 0CA-
ley's 'reprehensible conduct" One Of
the important points in the precept
is the direction to the court to report
in it's conclusions "all the pertinent
facts which it may deem to be estab.
lished together with opinion and rec.
concentrations in the premises"
Concerning the precept SECRETARY
Long said:
1T is simply an enumeration Of the
facts that have been. to use the ap-
plicants own words, under discus
sion. They ri referred to informal
" and suggested to the court as mat.
ters which have been under discus
sion and as such, should be inquired
into by them. They are enumerated
in accordance with the general rule
that when an inquiry is made the per-
son interested should have notice be-
fore hand, rs far as possible, Of all
specific things about which inquiry IS
likely to be made"
Judge Advocate General Lemly.
who vas designated as Judge advocate
Of the court today now will proceed
with the preparation OF his case. He
will examine all documents and pre-.
pare a list Of witnesses. The court
probably will sit for several months,
more than likely until after congress
%convenes in December.
Judge I.emly has not yet decided
who the witnesses before the court
will be. They may be taken from the
navy, from the army or from civil life,
for undoubtedly some OF the newspa.
per correspondents will be called In
this case. It is even possible. in view
Of the recently published interview
Of Captain Eulate OF the Spanish navy
that he and Admiral Ceryera, himself
will be called, II Admiral schley de-
sires 1t. OF course the court OF In
quiry has nc. authority to compel their
attendance and it is more than doubt
full whether they would respond to a
summons, but the opportunity will be
afforded. No word has been received
from Admiral Kimberly. who, 1t was
reported had written to the depart
ment saying that his health made it
inadyisable for him to attempt to
serve on the court.