New-York tribune., 1894-04-26

THINGS THoRoUGHLY-INTERvIE INvEs-
rIGATroXs. STATEMENTS AND DE-
MAILS ALL SET FORTH
Albany. Apru % (SpcclaD.-Major Edward Duffy
has evidently changed his mind about coming to
Albany to fight Inspector General Thomas II. Nc
Grath on his own ground In fact. the compica-
ton has reached place where II IS possible
t-martial may have to ne ordered to settle me
differences between General McGrath anu MAJOR
Duffy.
In an interview published in the New-York pa
rers two or three weeks ago Major Duffy said a
good many uncompli.ncntary things about General
McGrath. He accused that officer of opposing ana
antagonizing him in various ways. Major Dufy
also charged General McGrath with making as
serons which, Major Duffy declared he ought TO
be made to prove or he ought to be court
martialled.
The Major declared that he was going to Albany
on the Thursday following the Monday on which
the interview was given. and was going TO take
dozen or more witnesses with him 10 prove his
charges against General McGrath.
OFFICIAL STEPS IN THE AFFAIR.
Thursday came. but Major DuNy did not. Cen
eral McGrath then called the attention Of Ad-
jutant- General Josiah Porter to the Published IN
terviews. complaining that they constituted a
serious breach % military law.
General Porter forwarded that letter to Major
Duffy with a request for any explanation which he
had to make Major Duffy returned that COM
munication with the Endorsement that he objected
10 being held responsible for newspaper statements
not made his own signature. This eXpana-
ton was not deemed broad nor explicit enough
by General McGrath, and papers were returned
again for a further explanation and for more
unequivocal denial If Major Duffy wished to make
one. The documents were returned to headquar-
ters at Albany again. on April Il. with the indorse-
ment by Major Duffy that nothing was further
from his thoughts than to say or DO anything that
might be interpreted TO indicate an unmilitary
spirit and he could only add that he did not use
the language which was attributed to him in the
reports referred TO- Major Duny di rot deny that
ne had the interview with the New-Nork reporters.
and he Acknowledged that General Mctirath was
the subject Of that Interview, but he did deny that
the language attributed to MIN was his. He eX-
pained that on the night OF the interview he had
been told by reporter the substance Of an inter
view which ne had had with General McGrath
concerning Major Duffy. In this interview. accord
ing to the story told TO Major Duffy. General Nc
Grath had harshy criticised the commanding Off
Ger Of the e9th Battalion. saying among other
things that Major Duffy was incompetent to COM
manl tho battalion. Major Duffy says In his de-
NAL of the interview that # was these alleged as
sertions on the part Of General McGrath which
were the subject OF the interview complained OF.
What he said was TO deny the assertions OF Cen
eral McGrath as reported to him.
GENDRAL MGRATH ~ A SIMILAR POSITION.
The interview with General McGath crtlcisng
Major Duffy was published two days later. and the
strange thing about It is that on It's face IT would
seem to contain the same kind Of offence against
military law OF which Major Duffy IS charged
other officer II Is not known as vet whether or
not General McGrath is satisfied with the eXplana-
ton and partial denial Of Major Dufly. or whether
he will make charges and ask for "A court-mar;iAL
General McGrath was seen hy a Tribune reporter
lowing statement which he said was al ne wished
to say about the matter az pres MT
Duffy 69th Battalion. | can only say that | felt
it my duty to make request Of the Ad
duffy 10 state To him, in writing. whether or
not the interviews were correctly reported My let
ter t. the Adjutant-General was forwarded through
the channel To Major Duffy, and returned with an
Endorsement by him to the effect that he was not
held responsible for newspaper statements not over
"The paper was returned 10 Major Duffy by the
Adjutant-G neral that by his further examination
Of the communication OF the Inspector-General and
the endorsements thereon he might that ne was
not held responsible therein for the statements.
and that his explanation was not deemed sufficient
or satisfactory. and that. inasmuch AS his answer
sririt he might have opportunity to deny the news
paper statements or explain them. and that II he
Nlaior Duny had anything to add 1t should be done
THE document received at general head
quarters April II. with an Endorsement by Major
from his thoughts than 20 say or do anything that
might be- Interpreted to indicate an unml.ary
spirit and that he could only add that he did not
use the language that was attributed TO him In the
reports referred TO-
"He said he was annoyed by reporters who told
him the substance OK am alleged interview with
the Inspector General. and that be denied of
the statements therein referred to-
Il make this statement, dee.nins 10 but just that
Major Duffy's emphatic denial should receive the
same publicity the published interviews"
MAJOR DUFTY's FEW REMARKS.
Major Duty was seen at his home, No. 22l East
Eighteenth-st. by Tribune reporter last evening
and asked about the denial which he alleged
to have made. His attention was called t. the fact
that the interview with him published in The
Tribune correct In every particular.
Major Duffy replied that h. did not wish to deny
affirm that assertion
Were the statements which you made to the re-
pOrter I'm that Interview concerning General Nc
Grath true2' asked the reporter.
Il DO not to say anything more on that sub
ject." he replied.
is 1t that you have sent n written denial
Alhauy2' next asked.
"Whaicver written statement have sent TO Al
hany is the records there and can be inspected"
was the answer
To further questions he sail he di1 not care TO
discuss the matter in any OF It's phases.