The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-12-19
MAJORITY AND
MINORITY REPORTS.
The Judges Disagree in the
SChIev Case.
DEWEY FINDS FOR SCHLEY.

OLhLi ElNOo EOn ONuLL1.
Washington, Dec. 13.--The most
prolonged, interesting and import
ant naval tribunal ever held in this
country closed today, having in
open and secret sessions lasted one
week short of three months, when
Secretary Long was handed the find
ings of the court ofinquiry, which in.
quired into the conduct of Admiral
Schley during the Santiago cam
paign.
A representative of the Associated
Press conveyed the first information
OF the findings of the court to Admit
raj Schley. He was seated in public
reception room of hotel chatting
with friends and several newspaper
men, and evinced no signs of ner-
vousness over the outcome. When
the conclusions of Admiral Dewey
was read to him, Admiral Schley
showed his pleasure and it was evil
dent from his manner that he regard
ed the statement from Admiral Dew
ey as vindication OF his cause. He
declined to make any statement con-
corning the courts findings and, ex-
cusing himself from the little compa-
ny which had gathered about him,
went to his apartments, where Mrs.
Schley had been waiting to hear the
courts decision. Later, an official
copy was brought to the hotel by a
messenger from the navy depart
ment. The report in parc is as fol-
lows:
Washington, Dec. 13.-Commo-
dore Schley, in command OF the hy-
ing squadron, should have proceeded
with the utmost dispatch off Cienfue-
ges and -sAeHllda- have maintained
close blockade OF that port,
He should have endeavored, on
May %, at Cienfuegos to obtain in
formation regarding the Spanish
squadron by communicating with
the insurgents at the place designat-
ed in the memorandum given to him
at 115 OF that date.
He should have proceeded from
Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba with
all dispatch and should have dis
posed his vessels with view OF inter-
cepting the enemy in any attempt to
pass the flying squadron.
He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.
He should not have made the ret
rograde turn westward with his
squadron.
He should have attempted to cap
ture or destroy the Spanish vessels
at anchor near the entrance at San
tiago harbor on May 20 and 30.
He did his utmest with the force
under his command to capture or de-
stroy the Colon and other vessels of
the enemy which be attacked on May
81.
By. Commencing the engagement
on July 3 with the port battery and
turning the Brooklyn around with a
port helm Commodore Schley caused
her to lose distance and position with
the Spanish vessels, especially with
the Viscaya and Colon.
The turn OF the Brookly to star
board was made to avoid getting
into dangerous proximity to the
Spanish vessels. The turn was made
toward the Texas and caused that
vessel to stop and back her engines
to avoid a possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to
Lieutenant Commander A. c. Hodg
son in publishing only a portion of
the correspondence which passed be-
tween them.
Commander Schley's conduct in
connection with the events OF the
Santiago campaign prior to June 1,
1898, was characterized by vacilla-
ton, dilatoriness and lack of enter
prise.
His official reports regarding the
coal supply and the coaling facilities
of the flying squadron were inaccu-
rate and misleading.
His conduct during the battle of
July 3 was self-possessed and he en-
in his own person, his sub
ordinate officers and men to fight |
(Signed.) GEORGE DEWEY.
Admiral United States
Navy, President.
- SAMUEL G. LEMLY,