The Schley Inquiry and Admiral Dewey’s Dissent
ADMIRAL DEWEY has handed to the Secretary of the Navy the report of the board of inquiry sitting on the case of Rear-Admiral Schley, and the report has been approved by the secretary. Admiral Dewey submitted a minority report, in which he disagreed with the majority report in substantially every count brought against Schley. His report was not approved by the secretary. The entire board found Rear-Admiral Schley innocent of the charge of cowardice, but the majority held him guilty of dilatoriness and indecision. With this Admiral Dewey disagreed. He also gives to Rear-Admiral Schley the credit for the victory of Santiago. In approving the report of the majority, the secretary declares the case closed. President Roosevelt has asked for the removal, or resignation, of historian Maclay, who brought the charge of cowardice against Schley. But the matter is not settled, and there is strong probability that it will be taken up by Congress. Maclay refuses to resign, and declares the President has no power to remove him under civil-service rules. It is not probable that the question will ever be settled to the satisfaction of the friends of the two parties.