The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-02-25
FINDS AGAINST SCH|Ey.
President Roosevelt Reviews the
Battle of Santiago and Calls It
Captains Victory.
He THINKS THE LOOP WAS A BLUNDER.
Neither Sampson Nor His Rival Are
Entitled to Unusual Credit for De-
feat of Spanish Ships-Honor Rests
Equally on Commanders in Action
Wants Case Closed,

~
Wants Case Closed,
Washington, Feb. 2O.-President
Roosevelt has made public his deci-
sion on the appeal of Rear Admiral
schley against the findings of the
court of inquiry. The decision is adj
verse to Admiral Schley in every i'm
portant particular.
Sampson in Command.
The President holds that while
SIMPSONS command was technical
and nominal" Commodore Schley did
not assume command, and the COM
mand was in no way passed to him
by reason of SIMPSONS distance from
the scene of the actual fighting.
Therefore Sampson must stand in
history as the responsible command
er.
Question of Credit.
AS to the question of credit for the
battle, independent of the question
of technical command, the president
holds that Sampson must have first
credit because of his excellent block
ade and his responsibility. Sampson
commanded the fleet and Schley the
western division. But in the pres
ident's opinion neither is entitled to
credit for meritorious or important
service in the battle itself.
Captains Fight.
"The actual fact, the important
fact" says the president, SIS that
after the battle was joined not a
helm was shifted, not a gun was
fired, not pound of steam was put
on in the engine-room aboard any
ship actively engaged in obedience to
the order of either Sampson or
Schley, save on their own two vessels.
1t was captains fight.
Verdict Sustained.
President Roosevelt sustains the
verdict of the court of inquiry. which
he declares was unanimous in it's find
ings on all important points. This
| leaves the censure unanimously
| passed by the court standing of full
force upon the records.
While the president does not upset
the verdict of the court in any par
ticular, he points out that all of
Schley's alleged derelictions while in
command of the flying squadron were
in effect condoned by his superiors at
the time. Thus dismissing this part
of the case, he passes on to the bat.
tie.
The Loop Blunder.
| President Roosevelt finds that Rear
| Admiral Schley was actually in com
mand of the Brooklyn and as such
was entitled to the credit of the brill
liant work of that ship. The pres
ident asserts, however, that the loop
was a terrible blunder, for which
Rear Admiral Schley was responsible,
and the president hints that it was
the result of timidity. He finds that
President Mckinley was fully justi-
fed in his actions, because, while
neither Sampson nor Schley was en-
titled to special credit for the bat
| tie, Sampson was entitled to re-
ward because of the success of his
blockade and the hard work he had
done as commander in chief.
Wants Matter Dropped.
President Roosevelt expresses the
opinion that Lieut.. Wainwright, of
the Gloucester, and Capt. Clark, of
the Oregon, were entitled to special
promotion. In view of the fact that
both Sampson and Schley are on the
retired list, the president expresses
the hearty wish that the entire mat
ter be allowed to drop.
GIVEN WARNING.