The Washington times., 1901-09-12
Itch regarding the battle to the Navy

patch regarding the battle to the Navy
Department:
"The feet under my command pre-
ser1ts the nation as a Fourth of July
present the whole of Cerveras S squad
rom
Here was planted the seed for the con-
troversv in the ground which had been
prepared by the promotion OF Sampson
over the head of Schley, but IT remained
| for the seed to blossom into full fruition
one week later when Sampson, in letter
to Secretary Long, addressed My dear
Mr. Secretary making recommendations
| for the promotion of certain officers, de-
Iiberately charged Schley with ''reprehen-
sible conduct" which he said he was un-
able TO separate from subsequent events.
Not only did Sampson ignore Schiey in
his report of the battle, but endeavored
TO have the impression spread that he was
present at the engagement and had won
the victory, while as matter of fact he
was far behind the horizon.
When it was seen. however, by Samp-
son that the nation accredited the glory
to Schley, he sat down and wrote to the
Secretary of the Navy making the
charges against the Marylander which
have been the basis of the present con-
troversy. This action has always been
pointed out as in striking contrast to the
report Of the battle made by Schley to
Sampson, In which he said that there was
glory enough for ALL" and also to his
manly recognition OF the service rem
dered by the Oregon when. as the Colon
struck her colcrs. he signalied to Capt
Clark: well done, Oregon; thanks for
your splendid assistance And again:
Welcome back. brave Oregon.
Credit for the Victory.
Numerous petty charges have been
brought against Schley by the partisans
Of Sampson, intended to discredit him and
deprive him of the honor OF having
fought and won the battle of Santiago
| and place the laurels OF victory upon the
brow of the absent Sampson. For three
years the controversy has been waged.
during which an effort WAS made to pro-
mote Sampson over Schloy. but which the
Senate declined to do, and each was made
| q rear admiral.
| controversy were beginning to die out,
| leaving their ugly blot upon the record
Of the navy. they We're famed into more
violent flame than ever by the recent pub
lication Of what purports to be a His
tory OF our Navy written by Edward
; Maclav. labprer III the Brooklyn
Navy Yard.
The first and second volumes Of Mac
laws history had been adopted by the
navy as text books at the Naval Acade-
my at Annapolis, and the third volume,
! treating Of the war with Spain. was Ike
wise intended to be used text book.
| In the volume Historian Maclay made
many savage attacks upon Schley. charg-
| ing him with cowardice, incompetency.
untruthfuIDoss, and otherwise slandering
him in most malicious manner. attempt
ing TO detract from the glory Of his
achievement over Cervera, and at the
same time to bring Sampson into the
av,A pixs honor
destruction of the fleet.
Request for the Enquiry.
Excerpts from this alleged history were
published broadcast and this fact was the
Immediate cause Of bringing about the
present investigation On July % last Ad-
miral Schley wrote to Secretary Long.
calling attention to the Incorporate abuse
heaped upon him by the author of the
book intended for use at the Naval Acad-
| emy, and the attempted defamation. and
| asked that a court OF enquiry be ordered
| 10 investigate the whole matter of the
charges made against him.
Secretary Long granted the request on
| July a. ana appointed Admiral Dewey and
| Rear Admirals Kimberly and Benham.
| both retired. to Constitute n court of en-
quiry TO hear the case.
! Captain Lemly, the Judge Advocate OF
| the Navy Department. was appointed
| Judge advocate of the court. The precept
specifying the charges against Admiral
| Schlcy was then prepared to guide the
court in its investigation
The various points in the pTccept are
| In themselves explanatory in brief Of the
| charges against ADMIRAL Schley. Upward
Of one hundred witnesses viii be called
| 10 give testimony at the hearing. which
| IL is estimated. will last anywhere from
four weeks 10 three months. Admiral
| Schley has specified the names of thirty
| seven witnesses whom he desires TO have
present to testify In his behalf and there
are several others whose names have not
| yet been made public who will be called.
| Following is the list of witnesses for