Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-21
The President Close. the Case.

sensible words President Roosevelt
closes his decision in the Schley case
after a thorough and judicial review Of
the Whole matter. His decision was
one possible if the ends of justice were
to be served. In simple, vigorous
language. free from any ambiguity or
circumlocutiOn. he reviews and sums
up the case and his decision is wholly
against the position taken by Admiral
Schiey and his friends whose over
abundance of zeal have kept the con-
troversy alive long after it should have
been closed and forgotten. and who
one appeal to another
President Roosevelt fully sustains the
position and decisions of President Mo
p Kinley. the navy department, the
court Of claims. and the special court
of inquiry. He approves the findings of
the latter court in condemning Ad-
miral Schley's dilatoriness, his dis
obedience of orders, his misstatement
of facts. and his abandonment of the
blockade. On some Of these matters he
goes farther than the court, and init
mates that Admiral Sampson should
not have condoned Admiral Schley's
conduct by leaving him second in
command
But the greater part of the Presi-.
dents decision has to do with the
question of whether Admiral Sampson
or Admiral Schley was actually in COM
mand at the battle itself. On this
point the court of inquiry refused to
receive testimony. though it's president
later so overstepped the bounds of pro-
priety as to express an opinion. It was
on this matter that Admiral Schley lay
special stress in his appeal President
Roosevelt goes thoroughly into the
matter, gets first hand testimony from
the officers of the fleet, and his de-
cision is plain and unqualified that
Admiral Schley has absolutely nothing
upon which to base any claim of COM
mand during the battle or credit for
the victory.
He quotes the captains to show that
Admiral SIMPSONS orders, given and
thoroughly understood weeks before,
= were carried out on that memorable
Sunday morning. They considered him
in command and did not wait or watch
for any orders from Admiral Schley on
the Brooklyn. President Roosevelt
calls it. as it has often been called be-
fore, 80, captains BATTLE and shows
that the captains agree that Admiral
Sampson, who organized the blockade,
and who would have been blamed for
disaster or defeat, was the only COM
mander- chief before. during and
after the battle. The President gives
Admiral Schley. as he does Captain
Cook credit for the good work Of the
Brooklyn. but adds word Of censure
for the h-discussed loop" which
was the one grave mistake made in the
fleet that day. and which not only en-
dangered the Texas and the Gloucester,
but also caused the Brooklyn to lose
ground in the chase.
AS to the matter of command and
credit. therefore. the President finds
that in the actual fight neither of the
admirals gave any orders which in
fuenced the result, save on their own
vessels. Nominally and technically
Sampson was present and in full COM
mand. This is no more to be ques-
toned than are Simpsons courage.
capacity. integrity or patriotism. AS
to the credit, the President says: His
real claim for credit rest upon his work
as commander-in-ch chief; upon the ex-
cellence of the blockade: upon the pre-
paredness of the squadron; upon the
arrangement of the ships head-on in a
semi-c;rcle around the harbor; and
the standing orders in accordance with
tack of the Spaniards when the latter
appeared. For all these things the
credit is his"
The Presidents summary is dispas-
sionate and his decision conclusive.
The result must be disappointing to the
partisans of Schley who have tried by
every means to make out that their
hero was the victim, Of a Con-
spiracy' by President Mckinley, Sec:
retary Long and his brother naval
officers. BY seeking to drag the con-
troversy into politics and by making
cunring and unwarranted appeals to
the american love Of fair play they
have kept the affair prominently before
the people and have won their cause
much popular sympathy. By an I'M
fortunate lack Of tact in some of his
public utterances Admiral Sampson has
furnished them with ammunition, and
as one means of bolstering up their
cause they have abused and maligned
this old commander. brokenin body and
mind. until they have bounded him to