Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-19
THE SCHLY CASE.
The Report of the Court
of Inquiry.
THERE ARE TWO MADE.
Benham and Ramsey Concur
in the First.
A SEPARATE REPORT
Is Wade by Admiral Dewey-The For
mer Condemns SchIey on Eleven
Points, While the Latter Sustains
Him In Most Particulars.

Him la Most Particulars.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE most
prolonged interesting and important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun-
try came to a close Thursday having,
in open and secret session, lasted
three months lacking one week, when
Secretary Long was handed the find
ings of the court of inquiry which
inquired into the conduct of Rear Ad-
miral 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 con-
clusiOns announced yesterday. The
result was complete surprise, and
it is probable that no prophecy has
approached the truth. Instead of
one report there are two. Both are
signed by George Dewey, president,
and by Sam c. Lemley, as judge adj
yocate. This is a form said to be
recognized in all courts of inquiry,
the signatures of the other members
not being necessary. But it is eX-
planned that Admiral Dewey signed
the second report, minority report,
to express his qualification of or dis
sent from the views expressed by the
court, comprising beside himself Ad-
mirals Bennam and Ramsay, in the
first report.
1t is said at the navy department
that there will be no further proceed
ings in this celebrated case on the
initiative. Secretary
I / 10
positively declined to discuss the find
ings in any phase. The secretary re-
ceived the reports at o'clock last
evening and he has not yet acted upon
them. 1t is probable that he will
simply append his signature with the
word "Approved' to the whole rec
ord. The court itself recommends
no further proceedings owing to the
lapse of time.
The majority report condemns Ad-
miral 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 ut
most dispatch to Cienfuegos and
maintained a close blockade; that he
should have endeavored to have OBJ
tanned information of the Spanish
squadron there; that he should not
have made the retrogade movement;
that he should have proceeded 10 San
tiago with dispatch; that he should
have obeyed the departments orders;
that he should have endeavored to
capture the Spanish vessels in Santi-
ago: 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
iniustic to Hodgson; that his conduct
in the campaign was characterized
bv vacilation, dilatorineSs and lack
of enterprise; that his official reports
of the battle were misleading and in
accurate; that his conduct during the
battle was self-possessed and that ne
encouraged in ms own person his
subordinate officers and men.
Admiral Dewey in his 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 Adulla to enter Cienfuegos
to get information; that his passage
to Santiago was with as much dis
patch as possible, keeping the squad
ron together; that the blockade of
Santiago was effective, and, finally,
that he was the senior officer off San
tiago. in absolute command, and en-
titled to the credit due for the glori-
Gus victory that resulted in the total
destruction of the Spanish ships.
Baltimore. Dec. 14.-Mr. lsidor Ray
ner showed keen disappointment
when the findings of the court of in
ouiry were communicated to him last
night. He announced that he would
90 to Washington as soon as his en-
gagements will permit. probably
Monday or Tuesday and he will coun-
sell Admiral Schley to fight the case to
finish by every appeal that is pos
Sible