The San Francisco call. [volume], December 14, 1901, Page 1, Image 1

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

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VOLUME XCL-NO 14.
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 Counts in Precept,
However, Are Fully
Sustained.
BEN HAM AND RAMSAY
FIND AGAINST SCHLEY
jS2 EAR ADMIRALS BENHAM and Ramsay stand to-
M grther without Admiral Dewey on these points: -.
That Schley did not proceed to Cienfuegos from Key West
and maintain as close a blockade as possible.
He did not endeavor to obtain information as to the sup
posed presence of the Spanish fleet at Cienfuegos.
He did not proceed to Santiago with all possible dispatch,
and did not dispose of his ihips while going so as to intercept the
enemy coming west.
He should not Jiave delayed the squadron for the Eagle.
WASHINGTON, Dec 13.— The
majority report of the Schley
Court of Inquiry, given out
for publication to-day. Is as
follows:
Court of Inaulry. McLean building. 1517 H
street. X. W.. "VTashlnrton. D. C. December
13. 1901. — The court having, by authority cf
the TCavy Department, occupied rooms num
bers 9 and 10. McLean building. No. 1517 H
etrcet. N. W.. "Washingtcn. D. C. while de
liberating upon Its proceedings, and the mem
bers thereof having assembled dally since Mon
day, November 11, with the exception of Sun
days and holidays, and having concluded th«
Investigation, resorts its proceedings and the
testimony taken with a full and detailed state
ment cf all the pertinent facts which it deems
to be established, together with Its opinion and
recommendation In the premises.
Facts Before the Court.
Facts : The flying • squadron, consisting of
the Brooklyn. Massachusetts. Texas and Scor
pion, under the command of Commodore W. S.
Echley. U. S. 1C-. sailed from Key West about
6 a. m. of May 19, 1888, with orders from the
Navy Department and from the commander In
chief of the North Atlantic station to proceed
with dispatch (utmost) off Cienfuegos to cap
ture the enemy off that port, if possible, or to
blockade him. asd to make the blockade as
c1ob« as possible. -
The flying squadron arrived off Cienfuegos
on the morning cf May 22 and established a
blockade. During the day the ships lay off
'-the port at \-arious distances. In no particular
border. At night they formed In column of ves
sels, headed off shore.' and moved at only suf
ficient speed for keeping positions. The small
vessels performed picket duty inshore of the
Jarge chips.
Commodore Echley did not proceed with ut
most dispatch off Cienfuegos and block that port
as cloee as possible. At 10 «L m.. May 22. the
Pupor.t arrived at Cienfuegos with a dispatch
from the commander In chief dated Key West,
May 20. 1SOS. which Informed Commodore
F'-hley of the probability of the Spanish squad
ron being in Santiago de Cuba, and ordered
him to hold C'.enfuegos until the receipt of
more positive Information.
At 1 :30 p. m.. May 22. the Iowa arrived at
Cienfupgos and at 7 p. m. of the eame date
the Scorpion left Clenfueeos for Santiago.
At S:J5 a. m. of May 23 Commodore Schley
received by the dispatch vessel Hawk the fol
io v.ing dispatch and memorandums from the
commander In chief: Dispatch (No. 8). date
Key West. May 21, 1898. which stated that
the Spanish squadron was probably et San
tiago and ordered Commodore Schley. If he
was satisfied that the' Spanish squadron wa«
not at Cienfuegos to "proceed with all dis
patch, but cautiously, to Santiago de Cuba,
«.nd If the enemy is there blockade him In that
OrL Shown by Memorandums.
▲ memorandum dated off Havana May 21,
The San Francisco Call.
1808, 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 13% inlles weft of Eavanilla Point;
that the Cubans had perfect knowledge of what
was eolns; en within Cienfuesos; that the
Cuban forces in the San Juan Mountains con
trolled the railway between Cienfuegos 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 Merrlmac arrived at Cienfuegos.
At ooon on the same date the British
steamer Adula was permitted to go Into Cien
fuegos.
At 7 a. m.. May 24. the Marblehead. Vixen
and Eagle arrived at Clenfueeos.
About 10 a. m. the Marblehead and Eagle
proceeded to the landing place 13% miles west
of Eavanilla Point, communicated with the
insurgents, landed stores for them, learned
that the Spanish squadron was not in the har
bor at Cienfuegos, rejoined the squadron at
3:30 p. m.. and reported to Commodore Schley
the Information obtained.
After the receipt of this Information Com
modore Schley wrote a dispatch to the com
mander in chief in which he stated: "I 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 oil Santiago
de Cuba, being embarrassed, however, by the
Texas' short coal supply and her inability 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 will 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.
JCo work was. apparently, In progress on the
fortifications of Cienfuegos while Commodore
Schley 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 Jnteroret tbem.
Before sailing from Cienfuegos Commodore
Schley received reliable information that ships
could be coaled In the vicinity of Cape Cruz
and In Gonalves channel.
The flying squadron, with the exception of
the Castlne. sailed 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 • Merrlmac on the left flank. At
Continued • on > Page Two.
SAN FRANCISCO, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1901.
Special Dispatch to The Call.
GALL 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,
gives 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 Santiago campaign prior
to his supercesslon «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 A.d
miral Schley belongs the credit of the
victory off Santiago, Rear Admiral Ben
ham and Rear Admiral Ramsay, two
junior 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
DEWEY DECLARES SCHLEY DESERVES
ALL CREDIT FOR GREAT NAVAL VICTORY
r\ DMIRAL DEWEY stands alone on these, points: ■ •...,'
\. . That the passage from Key' West to Cienfuegos was made zvith all possible dis
patch in view of the importance of saving coal. .■-,'..
The Cienfuegos blockade was effective.
The Adula zvas permitted to en ter • 'Cienfuegos harbor in the hope that she would bring hews
zvhen she came out about the Spanish fleet. \- ■ ;
The passage from Cienfuegos to, oft Santiago was made' with all possible 'dispatch , while
keeping the squadron as a unit. '"■'■'.■ . . ■' , . , '
I he blockade of Santiago zvas effective. . . " . . ■:•.,
Schley is entitled to all t[ie credit of the battle of : July, 3} as lie zvas the senior officer
in command. • .... ' ■-■-■■■-*■;---
United States; in their, views, Rear Ad
miral Benham and Rear Admiral Ram
say voice the belief of an overwhelming
majority of the officers of '. the navy.
Furthermore, Admiral Dewey differs from
his colleagues in the blockade maintained
by Rear Admiral j Schley at Cienguegos
and Santiago, which he, contrary to their
view, finds .was effective. He also holds
MEMBERS OF -COURT OF IN
QUIRY AND PRINCIPALS IN
NAVAL CONTROVERSY.
in , opposition to their, opinion that , the
flying proceeded .with, all dis
patch from Cienfuegos to Santiago and
that Commodore' Schley in permitting the
steamier Adula; to enter the harbor ex
pected to get information from her when
she came out. _ . ■ x
- But Admiral Dewey ftnd3 with his col
leagues against Rear Admiral Schley for
the retrograde turn westward, for. dis
obedience of orders, for failing to do his
utmost -to destroy the Colon and other
vessels of the enemy in Santiago. harbor,
for . making reports • regarding the coal
supply ahd""coaling? facilities "of the ; fly
ing- squadron: which were inaccurate 'and
misleading, . and 'for. l . publishing ' only a
portion" of the Hodgson correspondence,
and agrees with; them that the loop en
dangered the Texas. . ■ ; : , -
The court 'unites ] In commending
Schley's bravery in battle. ' .
Rear Admiral Schley believes he has re
ceived a. vindication. . ':
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 of Admiral Dewey, that he
was the hero of the battle of Santiago,
and in this he has confounded 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 j the
court of honor of commanding the squad
ron 1 which destroyed Cervera's - fleet and
ended the. war with Spain. '.*;, -.fj'v..
As to Congressional Investigation, oph.
ion is divided. It Is evident that Rear
Admiral Schley does not want any. Sen
ator McComas Is v/illing to accept ths
declaration of Admiral Dewey that ah the
glory. of the Santiago campaign belongs
to Schley." Representative Mudd of Mary
land declares that the American people
Is Scored for Dilatoriness
in Proceeding to
Santiago.
Retrograde Movement and
Loop Also Subjects
for Censure.
POINTS AGREED UPON
BY THE ENTIRE COURT
JJ DMIRAL DEWEY and Rear Admirals Benham and
jF^ Ramsay agree on these points:
That Schley did not obey the department's order of May 2$
to go with all haste to Santiago, find if the' Spanish Heet was
there and not leave* without decisive action. He; did not en
deavor to capture or destroy the Spanish fleet at the mouth of the
harbor May 28 and 29.
He did not use his utmost endeavor to destroy the Colon
while anchored at the month of the harbor on May 30.
The effect' of the hop of the Brooklyn was to lose the
distance and .position of the Viscaya and Colon. The loop was
made to avoid dangerous proximity with the Spanish fleet, ana 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 zvas characterized by vacilla
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.
WASHINGTON. 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
Cienfuegos was made by the flying squad
ron with all possible dispatch, 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 effect
ive. • - " *
"Commodore Schley in permitting the
steamer Adula to enter the port of Cien
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
will not accept the verdict and hints at a
Congressional inquiry. His opinion does
not seem to be shared by many members.
SCHLEY PLEASED
WITH THE REPORT
Be.ir Admiral Snys His Honor Has
Been Vindicated and He Has
No Further Comment
to Make.
CALL BUREAU, 1406 G STREET,
WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.— "My honor has
been vindicated and I am satisfied 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 I remained /at his
apartments at* the Hotel Richmond all
evening, evidently awaiting the report of
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
Santiago was made with as much disi
patch as was possible while keeping the
squadron a unit.
"The blockade of Santiago was effect
ive.
"Commodore Schley was the senior offi
cer of our squadron off Santiago when the
Spanish squadron attempted to escape on
the morning of July 3. 1898. 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 Spant3h ships.
"GEORGE DEWEY, T
"Admiral U. S. 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.
M-M-Iilll l-MI I I I II H n H..I.0
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
copy of the' report and suggested that it
would probably 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 no com
ment, his face showed some disappoint
ment as the majority findings of the
court were read to him. His face brisht-
Continued on Page Two.*'