The Dickinson press., 1901-12-21

Ssessdsy, Dec. n. 1901.
wul ms EMO NE sAaspso~scslfY con-
: IRovERSn
None of the forecasts in regard
to the decision in the Schley in
quiry have been borne out by the
findings as filed with the Navy
Department last Friday. These
findings consist of three parts:
The opinion of the court. signed
by Admiral Dewey as its presi-
dent; the dissenting opinion.
signed by Admiral Dewey person
ally. and the recommendation that
no further proceedings be taken
in the premises. signed by Ad-
miral Dewey as president for the
court.
While there is an apparent con-
fict between the opinion of the
court and the dissenting opinion,
to both of which Admiral Dewey's
signature is attached. it is ex-
planned by the rule in naval courts
that a majority opinion has to be
rendered by the presiding officer
irrespective of what his personal
views may be. And SO it comes
that the opinion of the court in
this most remarkable case must
be regarded simply as another of
those majority verdicts which set
tie nothing beyond the bias of
judgment with which the men,
bers of the court approach the
subject.
Comparing the two opinions it
appears that the court was unani-
mously OF opinion that:
Schley should not have made
the retrograde turn to the west
ward after reaching a point ~
miles south of Santiago.
That he should have promptly
obeyed the Navy Departments
order of May IS.
That he did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander Hodgson in
publishing only a portion of the
correspondence which passed be-
tween them, and
That his official reports regard
ing the coal supply and the coal
ing facilities of the flying squad
ron were inaccurate and mislead-
ing.
Every other finding of the ma
jority opinion is traversed either
directly or by implication by Ad.
miral Dewey's personal report.
The Admiral finds nothing to
criticise in the dispatch used by
Schley in proceeding to Cienfue-
COS or in the blocade of that port.
He declares the passage from
Cienfuegos to a point 20 miles
south of Santiago was made with
as much dispatch as was possible
while keeping the squadron aunt,
and that the blocade of Santiago
established by Schley was effec.
tive.
With one characteristic SWEEP
of his pen Admiral Dewey settles
forever the one disputed question
out of which the whole contro'
versy has grown to such regret
table proportions. He erds hi:
report with these words. which re
call the courage and directness o.
his own acts in Manila bay:
Commodore Schley was thu
senior officer of our squadron of
Santiago when the Spanish squad
ron attempted to escape on TIL
morning Of July 8, 1898. He wa
in absolute command and is en-
titled to the credit due to sucl
commanding officer for the glori
Gus victory which resulted in tn
total destruction of the Spanish
ships.
We have no doubt that this splen
did vindication by Amiral Dewey
the highest and best beloved auth
ority on naval affairs and conduct
willbe acceptedby the America
people as their final conclusion
And it should be accepted by Ad
miral Schley as sufficient salve fo
allthe ''stings and arrows" of abus
which his vacillation before Ma
29, 1898, invited and seemingl
justified.
There is glory enough for a
: who served with SchleY that glol
ious day in July, 1898. And if Ae