The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-04
Opening of the Mcfarland Trial.
Indiana Penitentiary Burned.
FROM WASHINGTON.


Secretary RobesoE on the Oneida Caln unity.
Special Despatch 10 The Euening Telegraph
WASHINGTON, April An the answer to
resolution of the House of Representatives of
the I'd inst, calling for information relative to
the loss of the Oneida Secretary Robson says:
In the opinion of the Navy Department the
conduct of Mr.. Delong and our other civil and
military officers in Japan deserves the highest
commendation.
We are also indebted to the Japanese autho-
rites, and to many of the officers and agents of
the other governments then at Yokohama, for
prompt and generous assistance after the occur
renee became known. From an examination of
the evidence in the possession of the depart
ment, the testimony taken before q court of
inquiry composed of British officers, the evil
dence of Master Yates, the officer of the deck
on board the Oneida at the time of the COLI
sion, the accompanying charts, and the analysis
of Lieutenant Lyons, it is the opinion of the
department that the Oneida was, when she was
struck, steaming her proper course out to sea
from the Bay of Yeddo, bound to the United
States; that the ship was well commanded,
and her discipline good, and that all the neces-
sary precautions were taken by her commander
to ensure the safe navigation Of the vessel and
to prevent collision, and the rules of the road
conformed to agreeably to the regulations of the
United States Navy, and that no blame is to be
attached to the officers or crew of the Oneida
for the collision. 1t is asserted by the captain
and some of the officers of the Bombay that
that vessel on rounding KanonsaH point made
the Oneida ahead or little on the port bow,
and then hauled up on q course which would
have taken her well clear of the American ves-
sci. This assertion is in the opinion of the de-
partment, inconsistent with the real result of
their evidence when closely examined, and 1 am
forced to the conclusion, on the evidence now
before us, that the disaster occurred through the
bad navigation of the Bombay.
In answer to the question, ''Whether all pos
sible means or any means were used to relieve
and rescue the officers and men of the sinking
vessel?" have to say that no means appear to
have been used by the captain of the Bombay to
render any assistance whatever to the Oneida,
although it seems inevitable that he should
have had reason to suppose that the damage
done was of very serious and dangerous cha
racter. Whatever doubt or difference of opinion
may naturally exist as to the responsibility for
the actual collision, as to what was or should
have been done on board of each ship before OF
at the moment of contact, there can hardly be
any question in regard to the conduct of the
responsible commander of the Bombay after the
collision took place, and on this
subject the department is constrained to reply
that it appears to have been the result of reck-
| less disregard for human life and of the COM
mon obligations of humanity. The reports re-
ceived from official sources generally agree with
regard to the circumstances connected with the
disaster.
The Secretary of State is in receipt OF
very complimentary letter from Secretary
Robson in relation to the conduct of Minister
Delong regarding the Oneida disaster, in which
he says:-'I greatly appreciate the course pur-
sued by Mr.. Delong in investigating the subject
of the collision between the Oneida and the
Bombay. To him we are largely indebted for
| the result which, in the opinion of the depart
ment, exonerates the officers and crew of the
| Oneida from all blame for the collision. Mr.
| Delong has proved himself true American, de-
| voted to the interests of his Government and
properly sensitive in regard to the rights and
| reputation of his countrymen. feel sure that
the relatives and friends of the deceased officers
| will fully appreciate his course throughout, and
this feeling will be shared by every officer of the
| navy"
Naval Appointments.
Secretary Robson has appointed Theodore c.
| Heyl, Henry NJ. Martin, of Philadelphia, and
| John w. Ross, of Clarkesville, Tenn, Assistant
| Surgeons in the navy; also, John d. Smyser, o.
| Norristown, Pa, and Julius c. Smaller, of Bos
| ton Second Leutenants in the Marine Corps.
| John w. Jordan has been appointed Paymas
ter in the navy; also Lucas D. Hurd and William
| w. Barry Assistant Paymasters in the navy.
| Secretary Robson has accepted the resigna
ton Of Surgeon John j. Ligget, U. s. N, O
! Boston,
FROM .NEW YORK.