Rosebud County news. [volume] (Forsyth, Mont.) 1901-1906, 1901-12-19
SAYS SCHLEY WAS IN ABSOLUTE
COMMAND At BATTLE OF
SANTIAGO.
CREDIT FOR VICTORY IS MS
MAJORITY SAYS HIS CONDUCT WAS
FACILITATING AND pILA-
TARY.


longed, interesting and important naval
tribunal ever held in this country came
to a close yesterday, having in open
and secret session lasted three months
short of one week, when Secretary
Long was handed the findings of the
court of inquiry which inquired into
the conduct of Rear Admiral Schley
during the Santiago campaign. For
seven weeks the court heard testimony,
and for fully a month it deliberated
upon that mass Of evidence, finally
reaching the conclusions announced
yesterday. The result was a complete
surprise, and it is probable that no
propkesy has approached the truth. In
stead of one report there were two
Admirals Benham and Ramsey con-
cur in the first, which is signed by Ad-
miral Dewey also as matter OF form.
Admiral Dewey makes a separate re-
pert. although he agrees with the find
ings of facts subscribed to by the 9TH
ers. The majority report
Condemns Admiral Schley
on eleven points, while Admiral Dewey
sustains him in most particulars. The
majority opinion finds, in brief, that
Admiral Schley should have proceeded
with the utmost dispatch to Cienfuegos
and maintained a close blockade; that
ne should have endeavored to obtain
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 capture the Span
ish 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 campaign was
characterized by vacillation, dilatori-
ness and lack of enterprise; that his
official reports on the coal supply were
misleading and inaccuracies; that his
conduct during the battle was self
possessed and that he encouraged in
his own person his subordinate officers
and men.
Vindicnted by Dewey.
Admiral Dewey, in his report says
that the passage tC Cienfuegos was
made with all dispatch; that in view
Of his coal supply the blockade of CT
enfuegos was effective; that he allowed
the Adula to enter Cienfuegos to get
information; that his passage to Santi-
ago was with as much dispatch as pos
sible, keeping the squadron together;
that the blockade of Santiago was eff
fective, and, finally, that he was the
senior officer off Santiago, in absolute
command, and entitled to the credit due
for the glorious victory which resulted
in the total destruction of the Spanish
ships.
1t is said at the navy department
that there will be no further proceed
ings in this celebrated case, on the de-
partment's initiative. Secretary Long
AMI Judge Advocate Le.nly positively
Cecline to discuss the findings in any
phase. The secretary received the re-
ports at o'clock last evening and he
has not yet acted on them. It is prob
able that he will simply
Append His Signature
with the word Approved" to the whole
record. The court itself recommends
no further proceedings owing to the
lapse of time.
A representative of the Associated
Press conveyed the first information OF
the findings of the court to Admiral
Schley. He was seated in the public
reception room of an hotel chatting
with friends and several newspaper
men, and evinced no sign of nervous
ness over the outcome. When the con-
illusions of Admiral Dewey were read
to him Admiral Schley showed his
pleasure, and it was evident from his
manner that he regarded the statement
from Admiral Dewey as a vindication
of his cause. He declined to make any
statement concerning the courts find
irgs, and, excusing himself from the
little company which had gathered
about him, went to his apartments
where Mrs. Schley had been anXiously
awaiting to hear the courts decision.
Later the official copy was brought to
the hotel by a messenger from the navy
department.