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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.*'