The finding of the Court of Inquiry appointed to investi-
gate the charges against Admiral Schley in connection with the battle of Santiago was issued on Saturday last. The majority of the Court, consisting of Admirals Benham and Ramsay, condemn Admiral Schley on eleven points. Infer alia, they find that he did not do his utmost to destroy the Cristobal Colon,' that he caused the squadron to lose distance by the loop made by the Brooklyn,' and that his conduct in the campaign was characterised by vacillation, dilatoriness, and lack of enterprise, though they admit that his conduct in the battle was self-possessed, and that he encouraged in person his subordinate officers and men. As against these findings, Admiral Dewey, who signed the Majority Report only as a matter of form, has furnished a Minority Report which vindicates Admiral Schley in most of the above points, and concludes with the observation that Admiral Schley, as senior officer ofr Santiago, was in absolute command, and is entitled to the credit due for the glorious victory which resulted in the total 'destruction of the Spanish fleet. It is much to be regretted that a unanimous verdict should not have, been arrived at on this Sampson-Schley con- troversy, which has moved public opinion deeply in America, for the prestige rightly attaching to Admiral Dewey will doubtless cause the result to be regarded as a moral victory by the partisans of Admiral Schley. We have not the know- ledge, still less the desire, to take sides in this intricate con- troversy, the development 'of which cannot but be deeply regretted by all friends of America and her fine Navy, and must content ourselves with merely recording the result of the inquiry.
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