The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 14, 1901, Page 1

VOLUME XCL—-NO 14. Call. to be tak the Lj en f 3 brary.+s4+4 I § SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1901. DEWEY GIVES SCHLEY CREDIT FOR VICTORY, BUT BENHAM AND RAMSAY FIND AGAINST THE COMMANDER OF THE HISTORIC FLYING SQUADRON » Court of Inquiry Unites in Commending Bravery in | Battle. All Other Countsin Precept, However, Are Fully Sustained. RAMSA}v REAR ADMIRA! G BENHAM AND her w qtit as west FIND AGAINST SCHLEY 1R MIRALS BENHAM and Ramsay stand to- out Admiral Dewey on these points: Schley did not proceed to Cienfuegos from Key West close a blockade as possible. not endeavor to obtain information as to the sup- d presence of the Spanish fleet at Cienfuegos. He did not proceed to Santiago with all possible dispatch, uld not have delayed the .vquad‘f'(zn for the Eagle. s RAMSAY {INGTON, Dec. 13.—The report of the Schley of Inquiry, given out publication to-day, is as ows Court McLean bufiding, 1517 H gireet, N. W ‘Washin n, D. C., December 1 hority of while de- and the mem- recommendatio Facts Before the Court. The fiying -squadron, consisting of , Texas and Scor- Commodore W. 8. Key West about orders from the commander in c station to proceed ff Clenfuegos to cap- possible, or to he blockade as Facts the Brooklyn, plon, under the €ol 0 Bchiey, U. 5. N., salled from 8 a. m. of May 18, 189 1 Navy Depa: chief of Messa biockade ki close s possibl The fiying squadron & and established a y oft Bo particular lumn of ves- ed In c ley 414 mot proceed with ut- uegos and block that port At 10 &. m.. May 22, the Cienfuegos with a dispatch West, smodore squad- and ordered the receipt of , the Jowa arrived at m. of the same date segos for Santiago 23 Commodore Schl r ed by the dispatch vessel Hawk the fo atch and memorandums from the in chief: Dispatch (No. 8), date 3 May 21, 1898, which sts that the «h squadron was probably et San- end ordered Commodore Schley, if he satisfied that the Spanish squadron was not st Clenfuegos to “proceed with all dis- tch, but cautiously, to Santiago de Cuba, ‘ if the enemy is there blockade him in that Yort.” Shown by Memorandums. A memorandum dsted off Havana May 21, was 1898, which directed Commodore Schley to mask his movements in leaving Cienfuegos. A memorandum which stated that a good landing place had been found by Commander McCalla 18% ‘miles weet of Savanilla Point; that the Cubans had perfect knowledge of what was going on within Cienfueg that the Cuban forces in the San Juan Mountains con- trolled the rallway between Clenfuegos and Trinidad, and that there were fair roads from the landing places to Cienfuegos. At 8:30 a. m., May 23, the Castine and the collier Merrimac arrived at Clenfuegos. At poon on the same date the British steamer Adula was permitted to go into Clen- fuegos. At 7 a. m.,, May 2 e Marblehead, Vixen and Eagle arrived at Clenfuegos. About 10 & m. the Marblehead snd Eagle proceeded to the landing place 13% miles west of Savanilla Point, communicated with the insurgents, landed stores for them, learned that the Spanish squadron was not in the har- bor st Clenfuegos, rejoined the squadron at 3:30 p. m., and reported to Commodore Schiey the information obtained. After the receipt of this information Com- modore Schiey wrote a dispatch to the com- mander in chief in which he stated: T shall move eastward to-morrow.” He also wrote a dispatch to the commandant® of the naval base at Key West in which he stated: “As it is found impracticable to coal the Texas from the collier here, where there is so much swell, I shall proceed to-morrow off Santiago Go Cuba, belng embarrassed, however, by the Texas’ short coal supply and her inabllity to coal in the open sea. I shall not be able to remain off that port on account of general short coal supply of squadron, so wlil proceed to the vicinity of St. Nicholas Mole, where the water is smooth and I can coal the Texas and other ships with what may remain in collier.” Fails to Communicate. No work was, apparently, in progress on the fortifications of Cienfuegos while Commodore Schiey was off that port. No efforts were made by Commodore Schley to communicate with the Insurgents to dis- cover whether the Spanish squadron was in the harbor of Cienfuegos prior to the morn- ing of May 24. Signal lights were displayed on shore at night May 22 and May 23, but Commodore Schley had no information which enabled him to interpret them. Before salling from Cienfuegos Commodore Schley received rellable information that ships could be coaled in the vicinity of Cape Cruz and in Gonaives channel, The flying squadron, with the exception of the Castine, salled from Cienfuegos about 8 p. m. of May 24, the heavy ships in column of vessels, the light ships on the right flank and the collier Merrimac on the left flank. At Continued on Page Two. Special Dispatch to The Call. ALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET, N. W., WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.— Blame and praise. This is the verdict of the Schley court of in- quiry handed In to-night. It is more blame than praise, because while Admiral Dewey. president of the court, glves him all of the credit and glory for the destruction of Cervera's fleet, as senior In command at the battle, and the entire court finds that his conduct was that of a man of courage in action, the unanimous finding is made that Schley's conduct in the Santlago campaign prior to his supercession *by Rear Admiral Sampson was characterized by vacilla- tion. dilatoriness and lack of enterprise. The investigation, unique in naval an- nals and of great historic importance, was intended to end the controversy which has not only disrupted the navy, but which has rent the entire country. Instead, further bitterness has probably been added to the controversy, for while Admiral Dewey gives it as his personal and individual opinion that to Rear Ad- miral Schley belongs the credit of the victory off Santiago, Rear Admiral Ben- ham and Rear Admiral Ramsay, two Jjunior members of the court, declined to append their signatures to such an ex- pression. Dewey Agrees With People. In his opinion, Admiral Dewey agrees with that of many of the people of the o BT = S MEMBERS OF COURT OF IN- QUIRY AND PRINCIPALS IN NAVAL CONTROVERSY, - + in opposition to their opinion that ,the flying squadron proceeded with all dis- patch from Cienfuegos to Santiago and that Commodore Schley in permitting the steamer Adula to enter the harbor ex- pected to get information from her when she came out. Ly But Admiral Dewey finds with his col- ‘a PRICE FIVE CENT Is Scofed for Dilatoriness in Proceeding to Santiago. Retrograde Movement and Loop Also Subjects for Censure, -+ portion of the Hodgson correspondence, and agrees with them that the loop en- dangered the Texas. The court unites in Schley’s bravery in battle. Rear Admiral Schley belleves he has re- ceived a vindication. 3 What Navy Men Think. Officers of the navy who have violently attacked him say. that the verdict of the court, instead of being an acquittal, sus- tains the charge of Rear Admiral Samp- son that his conduct was reprehensible prior to the battle with Cervera's fleet, and Secretary Long's statement that while Schley did his duty in the battle of Santiago as commander in chief of the flying squadron, he lacked push, judg- ment and steadiness of purpose. But Rear Admiral Schley has established, by the opinion 6f Admiral Dewey, that he was the hero of the battle of Santiago, and in this he has ¢onfounded Rear Ad- miral Sampson, who attempted to claim the credit for the victory. In his modest home, within a stone's throw of Admiral Dewey’s residence, Ad- miral -Sampson rests, broken + mentally and physically, ignorant of the results of the investigation, and almost incapable of understanding when he shall be informed that he has been partially sustained but wholly deprived by the president of the court of honor of commanding the squad- ron: which destroyed Cervera's fleet and commending ' in command. - DEWEY DE'CLA_IRE'S SCHLEY DESERVES ALL CREDIT FOR GREAT NAVAL VICTORY ADMIRAL DEWEY stands alone on these points: That the passage from Key West to Cienfuegos was made with all possible dis- patch in view of the importance of saving coal. The Cienfuegos bleckade wwas effective. The Adula was permitted to enter Cienfuegos harbor in the hope that she would bring fews when she came out about the Spanish flect. The passage from Tienfucgos to off Santiago was made with all possible ‘dispatch . wlile keeping the squadron as a unit. The blockade of Santiago was effective. . Schley is entitled to all the credit of the battle of Tuly 3, as he was the senior officcr — United States; in their views, Rear Ad- miral Berlham and Rear Admiral Ram- say volce the belief of an overwhelning majority of the officers of the ndvy. Furthermore, Admiral Dewey differs from his colleagues in the blockade maintained by Rear Admiral Schley at Cienguegos and Santiago, which he, contrary to their view, finds was effective. He also holds ' leagues against Rear Admiral Schley for the retrograde turn westward, for dis- obedience of orders, for failing to do his utmest to destroy the Colon and other vessels of the enemy in Santiago harbor, for making reports regarding the coal supply and coaling facilities of the fly- ing squadron which were inaccurate and misleading, and for publishing only a - ended the war with Spain. As to Congressional investigation, opin.- ion is divided. It Is evident that Rear Admiral Schley does not want any. Sen- ator McComas is wiiling to accept the declaration of Admiral Dewey that all the glory of the Santiago campaign belongs to Schley. Represertative Mudd of Mary- land declares that the American peopie o+ £ o ¥ harbor May 28 and 29. while anchored at the mouth of o+ ‘. POINTS AGREED UFON BY THE ENTIRE COURT DMIRAL DEWEY and Rear Admirals Benham and Ramsay agree on these points: That Schley did not obey the department’s order of May 25 to go with all haste to Santiago, find if the Spanish fleet was there and not leaWe-without decisive action. He did not en- deavor 1o capture or destroy the Spanish fleet at the mouth of the He did not use his utmost endeavor to destroy the Colon The effect of the Ivop of the Brooklyn was to lose the distance and position of the Viscaya and Colon. made to avoid dangerous proximity with the Spanish fleet, and it caused the Texas to stop and back her engines. He did an injustice to Lieutenant Commander Hodgson in publishing only a part of his correspondence. His conduct prior to June 1 was characterized by vaciila- tion, dilatoriness and lack of enterprise. His coal reports were inaccurate and misleading. His conduct during the battle of *July 3 was self-possessed, and he encouraged the offictrs and men to fight courageously. ASHINGTON, Dec. 13.—Admi- ral Dewey's report is as fol- lows: “Court of Inquiry, Mc- Lean Building, 1517 H Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., Dec. 13, 1901.—In the opinion of the under- signed the passage from Key West to Clenfuegos was made by the flying squad- ron with all possible dispatch, Commodore Schley having in view the importance of arriving off Clenfuegos with as much coal as possible in the ships’ bunkers. “The blockade of Clenfuegos was effect- fve. “Commodore Schley in permitting the steamer Adula to enter the port of Clen- fuegos expected to obtain information re- garding the Spanish squadron from her when she came out. “The passage from Cienfuegos to a point about twenty-two miles south of RN*‘ < i - *: % # fi‘?‘ 4 - the harbor on May 3o0. The loop was : i Santiago was made with as much dis: patch as was possible while keeping the squadron a unit. “The blockade of Santlago was effect- v *‘Commodore Schley was the senfor offi- cer of our squadron off Santiago when the Spanish squadron attempted to escape on the morning of July 3, 1398. He was in ab- solute command and is entitled to the credit due to such commanding officer for the glorious victory which resulted in the total destruction of the Spanish ships. “GEORGE DEWEY, “Admiral U. 8. N. “SAMUEL C. LEMLY, “Judge Advocate.” Admiral Dewey was seen late to-night and declined to make any statement con- cerning the court’s findings. He said that the court was not dissolved, and that he was still bound by his oath of secrecy. i b e e e ek @ will not accept the verdict and hints at a Congressional inquiry. His opinion docs not seem to be shared by many members. SCHLEY PLEASED WITH THE REPORT Rear Admiral Says His Honor Has Been Vindicated and He Has No Further Comment to Make. CALL BUREAU, 1408 G STREET, WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.—"My honor has been vindicated and I am satisfled with the decision, cf the court.” This was the only comment Rear Ad- miral Schley would make after hearing a synopsis of the two reports of the court of inquiry. Schley = remained at his apartments at the Hotel Richmend all evening, evidently awaiting the report of the court, which it is understood was ex- pected to be delivered to him a few min- utes before it was given to the press. Admiral Schley came down into the smoking-room of the hotel about 8 o’clock and stated that he had not received a €cpy of the report and suggested that it would protably be mailed to him, so that he would get it in the morning. He was attired in dinner costume and puffed carelessly at a cigar as he chatted with a few friends. Admiral Schley had just finished an in- teresting bit of polar sea reminiscence «when a friendly newspaper man brought in the substance of the two reports, re- ceived over the telephone. The admiral settled himself back in a large chair and listened intently to the findings of the court. Although he ventured mo com- ment, his face showed some disappoint- ment as the majority findings of the court were read to him. His face bright- Continued on Page Twa.'