New-York tribune., 1901-08-31
DID NOT ATTACK SCHLEY.
ADMIRAL HOWISON DENIES PUBLISHED
STATEMENTS AND Is CONTINUED
ON THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

ON THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
Washington, Aug S0.-Acting Secretary Hackett
to-day made public letter from Rear-Admiral
Howison denying the authenticity of the interview
attributed to him in which he is made to comment
adversely on Admiral Schley. The Acting Secretary
has therefore continued Admiral Howson
member of the Schley court of inquiry leaving the
court itself to determine any further question
his competency. The letter is as follows
No u Ashburton-ave
Dsar Sir. ,,.o Yonkers ION, n y August Sta "a 1901 SOL
short vislt to Saratoga and Lake George; owing
ordered to meet on September i2 next find that
ses new PoBe5v are re epg M rs eE for S81 a
nearly half century with honor, see also that
this. this court of inquiry, it being stated that pub
hsiy y,o expressed opinions on the conduct OF the
at at the the Boston Navy Yard shortly after the result
vice knows: as 1 do. that l do not attempt
make make public speeches write for magazines or
other subjects. 1t has beer impossible for me to
newspapers while serving at important stations and
az times when the navy has been so busiy en-
there. particularly during the great railroad strike
have been obtained in my ONCE; most. If not ali
OF these reports were harmless, readable articles
@ ments serving for the preservation of law and
During my two years service at the Boston sta
tion there was seldom day passed without recev-
Boston papers. and during the spanish-American
war the navy yard there was seldom without
and gentiemany at all times and wRatever Po'I1e n
gave them. I have often interpreted to number Of
mem the laws and regulations for the navy by at
ana responsibilities of the several grades Off
mander-in-chef to the lowest rate among the crew
When the news of our nayy's success at Manila
there were not behind the of the United States
Of the eets e The enthusiastic qnh nG tne
or OF the population in praise and honor for the off,
ume, until later. when the troubles began as TO
success Of this engagement 1t is no news 10 tbe
say TO say that where all do their duties the
commanding Censure for failure also belongs to
This newspaper cutting in question contains a
statement in which it is said that made
reporter is seldom or ever cmnoved nv nav noap ,
in comparing the qualities possessed by officers
anu am sure | could never have said hs he
being nervous ana hotheaded in the Naval Acad-
envy One may say an officer stands higher In his
tihc attainments. while another nav he distin-
while ali under discussion are Of good sJ%nag and
Prpncient IN their necessary professional calling
senting The Boston Record and do not ap-
say that have not discussed with acquaintances
matters published In the newspapers relating to
pute widely commented on There are few or
no NO % IN me navy or in our eountry who have
FROM the paper it appears that Admiral Schley
this ease with Admirals Dewey and Benham As
@ Is a case OF grave Importance to those concerned
httle help to clear away the troubles. The duties
are not sought or desired by officers While feel
highly honored by the derartment's selection of
task 10 sit IN judgment on brother officers How
ever eyer ne honor OF the selection nor the UNPLEASANT
FOR my now writing to say 70 you personally three
Tirst,9 st, e., reassuEe yon that am not responsible
alleged OSt aDfia
in IN" rnGWspapers to have been mentioned by Ad-
Second If. however, the department feels that
the cause of the navy and Of Justice will be better
am entirely ready 10 withdraw voluntarily or TO
have III" department relieve upon it's own fni-
ThIrd.If, on the other hand. the department.
should perform the duty. entirely ready TO
do NV duty as rnennbar ~ ~ tb 6r, anu tL; TaIn
partialtv. as the law requires Yours sincerely
Rear-AdmiraI tinted States Navy
The Hon. Frank W. Hackett. Washington. D. c.
Acting Secretary Hackett replied to this letter as
follows:
Washington August 2s 1901
soe ear Admlrad; Your personal letter OF 2ith de-
You say substantially that there is no foundation
been set forth In an interview sfterward published
in nt The ~ Boston ReG1rG and and i9tsy made the sub
to the department You evidently have read the
partment as published last week in the newspapers
The department. let YOU. has no pur-
pose of relieving Of this duty II has Implicit
confidence in your sense 81 justice and fairmind-
edcnSS
should the COUNSEL for Rear-AdniraI sch1ev pro-
Ceei TO offer to the court objection YOU it will
he for the court itself 70 decide the question OF
your competency to sit q member.
Were your letter official. instead Of being merely
personal should refer n 10 the iU1ge-advOcat Of
the court. 10 he laid before the court 7 would like
"a know II Won have objection 70 nv gfvIrg 10
the public frank and manly letter in thu event
that IL shall seem desirable 10 do
What you have said only confirms in the he
lief that the derartmeut has been fortunate in
leCting YOU as tho third member of the court
Kindly accent the assurance Of my personal es-
TEEN, and believe me. YOURS truly.
FRANK. w HACEFTT
Roar Admiral II. l.. Howison. L s y, Yonkers.
y Y.