The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-12-18
SCHLEY COURT.

OOO
Washington, Dec. IA. - The most
prolonged, interesting and important
naval tribunal ever held in this coun-
~ came to a close on Friday having
in open and secret session lasted three
months, short of one week, when Sec
rotary Long was handed the findings
Of the court of inquiry which inquir
ed into the conduct of Rear Admiral
Schley during the Santiago campaign.
For seven weeks the court heard tes
imony and for fully a month it DELHI
Grated upon the mass of evidence, final
ly reaching the conclusions announc-
ed on Friday. The result was a com
plete 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 Samuel @. Lemly as
Judge advocate This is form said
to be recognized in all courts of in
quiry, the signatures of the other
members not being necessary. But it
is explained that Admiral Dewey sign
ed the second report, a minority re-
port, to express his qualification of
dissent from the views expressed by
the court, comprising besides himself
Admirals Benham 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
department. initiative. Secretary
Long and Judge Advocate Lemley pos
itively decline to discuss the findings
in any phase The secretary received
the reports at five O'Clock last even
ing and has not he yet acted upon
them. 1t is probable that he will sim
ply 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. By the other members
of the court Schley is condemned, II
points being found where he failed.
His conduct is characterized as vacil-
lating, dilatory and inactive.
In his dissenting opinion Admiral
Dewey says: I'm the opinion of the
undersigned the passage from Key
West to Cienfuegos was made by the
flying squadron with all possible dis
patch, Commodore Schley having in
view the Importance of arriving off
Cienfuegos with as much coal as
possible in the ships bunkers. The
blockade of Cienfuegos was effective
Commodore Schley in permitting
the steamer Adula to enter the port
of Cienfuegos expected to obtain in
formation concerning the Spanish
squadron from her when she came
out. The passage from Cienfuegos
to point about twenty-five miles
south of Santiago was made with as
much dispatch as was possible while
Keeping the squadron a unit The
blockade of Santiago was effective.
Commodore Schley was the senior
officer Of our squadron off Santiago
when the Spanish squadron attempted
to escape on the morning of July 3,
1898. He was in absolute command
and is entitled to the credit due to
such commanding officer for the glo-
rious victory which resulted in the
total destruction of the Spanish
ships"
Baltimore, Md, Dec. 14.-lsador
Raynor showed keen disappointment
when the findings of the court of in
qulry were communicated to him to-
night. He announced that he would
go TO Washington as soon as his en-
gagements will permit probably Mon
day or Tuesday, and he will counsel
Admiral Schley to fight the case to a
finish by every appeal that is possible.
In an interview he said: 81 think
the country will almost unanimously
accept Admiral Dewey's Judgment.
The testimony was so overwhelm- |
ing upon almost every one of the spe- |
cifications in favor of Admiral Schley |
that | must confess | am utterly at |
loss to understand upon what facts |
or upon the evidence of what wit |
nesses the other two members of the |
court reached their conclusion
- am absolutely satisfied that the
opinion of the two judges is at total
with the opinion of the
and that this will not by
any means terminate the controversy.
shall advise the admiral to fight it
% finish, to open it by every appeal
hat is possible, congressional or 9TH
'rwise, and | believe that the senti-
nent of the whole country will up
lold him in his resolve not to let the
Judgment stand. "
Washington, Dec. 14.-The report
If the Schley court has aroused a
empest. Morning papers here advise
hat Schley sue the publishers of the
daclay history as the only means of
ringing light on an infamous CON
piracy.
New York, Dec. lathe papers
re practically unanimous in saying
he verdict credits Schley with be-
ng brave man. The opinion is ex-
ressed today: by friends of the adj
liral that he will appeal to Conrgess.
lie staedfastly refuses to be interview