The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-07-26
ACTION AFTERWARDS
To q Suggestion That He Ask
for an Inquiry and
Sue Historian
Maclay.

Admiral. Schley that in an editorial II
insisted that he owed 1t to himself,
as well as to his friends, to begin pro-
| ceedings against Mr.. Maclay. the au'
thor Of the History of the United
States Navy, to disprove the latter's
charges, adding:
"Win you do this? Please wire
statement"
Tuesday it received the following
telegram:
Great Neck. l.. L., July %.
Editor Washington Post:
81 believe the first step should be
an Investigation of all matter by a
court, then a civil action afterwards.
l am preparing to take this course.
(Signed) "W. s. Schley."
The Post, as a result of extensive
inquiries, based upon the admiral's
dispatch, was expected to say in part
this morning:
investigation at the hands of naval
court of inquiry and then sue His
torian Maclay for libel.
His action Is the sequel to the de-
velopments during the past week,
when the entire country has been
stirred by the publication of the un-
exampled abuse poured out upon him
in the third volume of e. s. Maclays
History of the United States Navy, in
which publication Schley is said to
have run away in caitiff flight and is,
In addition, denounced as a coward,
cur, and a traitor.
May Be a Celebrated Case.
"The Schley court of inquiry will
undoubtedly be one of the most cele.
brated cases ia the naval or military
history Of the country. The high
rank of the officers involved in the
controversy and the intense public
feeling which has been aroused will
combine to give to the investigation
dramatic interest. Nothing has oc-
Cured In Washington for many years
that will compare with it.
"The appointment of the court OF
Inquiry is expected to be made by
Secretary Long, though 1t would be
IN the power of the president to mako
the selections If he chose. This 10
hardly likely to occur. however.
Admiral Schley's letter asking for
the appointment of the court will be
addressed to Secretary Long, who Is
his immediate chief. To address the
communication to the president, ig.
noring Secretary Long, would not only
be a breach of naval etiquette, but
would be totally at variance with
Schley's careful observance of pune.
tilious procedure The court, there.
fore, will be named by Secretary
Long. unless he shall prefer to refer
the matter to the president.
Mr.. Long has already stated that
II Admiral Schley requested court of
inquiry he would grant the request,
and has also expressed his willing
ness to personally select the court.
While he has not made any state.
ment as to its personnel there is every
reason to believe that he favors AL.
mirai Dewey and Rear Admirals Ram
sey and Benham, the two latter being
now upon the retired list. The name
OF Admiral Walker has been suggest
ed, but it is known that he has ex.
pressed views upon the Sampson.
Schley controversy In antagonism to
Schley. and his appointment would.
therefore. be seriously questioned. II
is said that Dewey, Ramsey or Ben
nam have always carefully avoided
giving an opinion as to the merits OF
the controversy. All these officers
are residents of Washington. although
temporarily out of the city to escape
the summer heat, and could be quick.
ly summoned to take their places
around the table of the court.
Might Command Dewey to Serve.
Three names are mentioned be.
cause that number Is specified in the
naval regulations for courts of I'm.
quiry. There Is possibility that Ad-
miral Dewey might ask to be excused
as he would have a right to do. but
1t Is also morally certain that in this
event he would be specifically detailed
by the secretary for service on the
board This would me.ke his attend.
ance imperative. Secretary Long has
from the moment that a court Of in
Quiry was suggested, favored the an.
pointment of Admiral Dewey. belief.
Ing that his appointment would give
the highest character to the court
and that any decision which it might
reach would be accepted by the Amer.
ican people.
Admiral Ramsey was for eight
years at the head of the bureau of
navigation. y.
Admiral Benham came Into prom.
inence In 1894. during the brief revo.
iution against President Fonseca. Of
Brazil" "
Points sehIey May Specify.
With respect to the matters to be
inquired into by the court of inquiry
Tne Post was expected to say that II
might DO difficult to state briefly the
exact questions which will come be.
iore the court but that Admiral
ecniey condensed them in a letter
Written 70 Senator; Hale, chairman Of
sne senate committee on naval az.
fairs. Feb. 1s, 1899. This letter a..
saaed tns oriticisMs Of himself into
First-The ALLEGED DELAY besora
Cienfue9os, Cuba '
second-Ths alleged slow progress
toward 0antiaso .1s C,ha Srrs. 49,