Evening star., 1901-12-14
Opinion Of Naval Officers as to
Dewey's Position.
COMMENT on THE REPORTS
Opinion Of Members of Congress
as to Further Action.
G E N E r ALLY VERS E

urally taking time to do this carefully, so
| that immediate action Is not expected.
| Meanwhile the court Is technically in ses-
| sion and will remain SO until dissolved by
| order Of Secretary Long, who convened 1t.
| The practice in such cases Is laid down
specifically in naval regulation number 1I39,
| respecting courts of inquiry in the following
| language:
THE proceedings of court of inquiry
must be authenticated by the signatures OF
| the president and Judge advocate of the
court only, and are then to be submitted
! for the consideration of the officer conven-
| ing the court, after which the court may
adjourn temporarily to await his further
| Instructions"
Admiral Deyvey's Position. .-
The question has been raised since the
| appearance of the reports in print how far
! Admiral Dewey, the president. subscribed
| to the opinions expressed in the first re-
port and the findings by appending his
| signature, that signature being required Of
him apparently by the regulations above
| quoted. regardless of his individual opin-
| ion. In response to inquiry on this point
| the judge advocate general Capt. Lemly)
| of the navy said this morning:
According to naval practice Admiral
Dewey. by afhxing his signature to the re-
Rear Admiral Schley, expresses full con-
currence in all the findings of fact and in
all the opinions reached by the court, ex-
cept those with respect to which he has In
terms signified dissent in his minority
opinion"
No Congregational Inquiry Likely.
While there is little doubt that efforts
will be made to reopen the Schley- -Samp-
son controversy in Congress through a
| proposed congressional investigation, it is
the belief Of welI-posted men in the House
and Senate that the leaders of the domi-
! nant party will discourage such attempts
and Will rather incline to let the case drop.
The House and Senate committees on
| naval affairs are in accord with the ad-
| ministration Of the Navy Department, and
that branch Of the government service is
known to be averse to further agitation of
the subject or action in the premises. A
good excuse for non-action by Congress is
furnished, it is said, in the recommenda-
tion of the court of inquiry that no other
steps should be taken.
Another factor which operates to discour-
age an investigation is the desire of men
friendly to the navy's growth and expan-
sion to prevent further pickering which
they fear might react unfavorably upon the
nayy's general interests before Congress.
Talks with several prominent men in Con-
gress. which follow, indicate some of the
feeling in the House upon the question:
Expressions of Opinions.
Representative Loudenslager of New Jer-
sey, a republican member Of the committee
OH naval affairs, said today:
For myself am willing to take the ad-
vice Of the court Of inquiry that no fur
ther proceedings be had in the premises
Satisfied With the Findings.
Representative Dayton of West Virginia,
who is the ranking republican member of
the House committee on naval affairs
said: I am entirely satisfied that the find
ing Of the court OF inquiry is just and
right. 1t should be accepted as the un-
biased, sincere judgment of three able SEN
sible, upright naval officers who are thor
oughly conversant with naval affairs and
wholly devoid of any prejudice or passion,
and far better able to decide than the gen.
eral public.
$50 far as an investigation by Congress
is concerned would be entirely adverse
to It, Such an investigation could not be
carried on without political partizanship
forming its basis, and it would only result
In further injury to the navy, which every
true American citizen should be- anxious to
build up and support rather than tear
down."
Surprised at the Verdict.
Representative Wheeler of Kentucky,
leading democratic member Of the naval
committee, said: First, I doubt the wis
dom of attempting a congressional investi-
cation.
'"This matter has been stirred enough al
ready, and to the detriment of the Amer
ican navy.
Admiral Schley needs no vindication at
the hands Of Congress
admiral Dewey summed up the judg-
ment of every man in the republic who has
cared to keep track Of the testimony before
the court of inquiry outside of a very few.
Il am surprised at the verdict. 1t is ex-
ceedjngly unfortunate for the navy that
a man who has rendered such signal serv-
Ice for, his country as has Admiral Schley
should be besmirched and condemned, and
doubly unfortunate that the Navy Depart
ment was in any way identified with his
condemnation"
No Further Investigation Called For.
Representative Southard Of Ohio (rep.)
believes the verdict justified by the evil
dence, and also that any further investiga-
tion of the subject is entirely uncalled for
Representative Hay of Virginia (dem.)
said: IF I were a member Of a jury /
would have voted to acquit Schley on the
evidence adduced. However. I think the
recommendation Of the court that the mat
ter be dropped Is good one."
Chairman Foss of the House naval COM
mtttee declined to express opinion to
whether Congress would deal with the
to avoid taking sides on the subject as it
might come before the committee. and he
wishes to preserve wholly impartial atti-
tude. Among Mr.. Foss' associates 1t is the
general understanding that the chairman
is not favorable to congressional action.
Chairman Payne. the majority floor leader,
when asked II a congressional investiga-
ton was likely to be held. said: why
should Congress go into the subject? Ad-
miral schley has had his day in court. and
doubt whether 1t would be advisable for
Congress to go over the ground already
covered by the court
Representative Meyer Of Louisiana, a
member Of the naval committee and an au-
thority on naval affairs. said: "I do not
think there should be a congressional in
vestigation. The verdict. Of the American
people finds It's best expression In the fnd-
tngs of Admiral Dewey"
Representative Chester Long of Kansas
said: 1T Congress could develop informa-
ion which the court had failed to develop Il
might be well for Congress to investigate.
But tho court has fully developed ali the
information Congress could do no more
than go over what the court has DONE 1t
would be useless to embark on such q
project The findings show that this is a
question on which even courts can dis
agree"
Represent alive Hay OF Virginia chairvran