New-York tribune., 1902-02-04
REVIEWING SCHLEY CASE.
THE PRESIDENT TO SETTLE THE CUES
TION OF COMMAND.
a SIGNIFICANT CONFERENCE WITH sANTI-
AGO CAPTAINS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Feb. 3.-The President dispelled
all doubts to-day as to his determination to ex-
ercse to the fullest his prerogative as COM
mander-in-chief OF the military and naval forces
IN reviewing the schley case. He summoned
the surviving captains Of the Santiago fight
with the exception Of Captain Chadwick Of the
New-York; Captain Cook of the Brooklyn. and
the late Captain Philip Of the Texas, and took
up with them the crucial question of the whole
controversy-that Of actual and technical COM
mand of the American fleet in the critical Pc
riod of the destruction of Cervera's squadron.
Four offcers-Rear Admirals Evans and Tay-
lor, who commanded the Iowa and the Indiana
Captain Clark Of the Oregon and Lieutenant
Commander Wainwright of the Gloucester
went to the White House promptly at noon by
appointment and were closeted with the Presi-
dent in the Cabinet room until LAO o'clock,
when they took luncheon with him. The hear
ing continued until late in the afternoon, ad-
mission being denied to all visitors Senators,
officials and others in the mean time. The only
interruption made by Secretary Hay who
the President for few moments
When the news of the gathering at the White
House reached the Navy Department, as 1t
speedily did, it created something Of sensa-
ton, for officers duty at headquarters had
hitherto been confident that the President was
going TO review the case in the customary per-
functory way by referring the Schley appeal
and the Judge Advocates comment to the De-
partment Of Justice, where the Attorney General
would in all probability ind that the Navy
Department which under the law has jurisdic-
tion Of such matters had not committed any
legal error in its conduct of the inquiry. This
would have been in strict accord with the time
honored service idea, that the navy can best
take care of its own affairs and uphold its own
honor This view will now have 10 be abandoned,
and the service is already beginning to nerve
itself for a decision by the President quite as
startling as, although somewhat different from.
that of Admiral Dewey six weeks ago. For
people who have had opportunity Of talking
with the President on this subject since the
court of inquiry were surprised to find from
his frank expressions that he inclined to the
belief that schey had been IN actual command
at the battle. aside from all minor questions
regarding his exercise Of that authority.
Naval officers in Washington who know OF
this inclination have not been able to suppress
more or less anxiety about It, but they reasoned
that a reopenng of the case would undoubt-
edly be avoided by a reference to the Attorney
General relying on the great pressure of i'm
portanC national matters on the Presidents
time.
There is ground. however for saying that the
President considers nothing OF greater inpor-
tance to the country than the morale Of the
navy. and is determined that q just solution Of
the affair which has accomplished so much in
jury, shall be found, regardless Of mere per-
sOnai prejudices. II is certain that he Is not
insensible to the naval condemnation OF Ad-
miral SChley's discharge Of his duties before
June l while in Independent command OF the
Flying Squadron. but he is also aware that any
deTelictions at that time condoned by the
superior authorities for the moment, and were
only revived after the victory at Santiago was
won.
Under these circumstances there Is every like
lihood that the President will hnd an answer
TO the primary questions OF the entire Sampson
Schley question which will be final beyond ap-
peal