Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-08-02
ASKS FOR INQUIRY
scHLErs REQUEST is GRANTED
BY THE SECRETARY.
A Naval Court Will Be Ordered to Investigate
the AdmiraPs Conduct During the Santi-
ago Naval Campaign = Sessions Of the
Curt Will Be Open-SchI.y Will Be Al.
lowed to Call Witnesses.

Washington, July 25.-Secretary
Long, in accordance with request
from Admiral Schley, yesterday ad-
yised that officer that he would order
a court of inquiry to examine into the
entire matter of Admiral Schley's
course in the Santiago naval cam
paign. Later, the secretary an
nounced that, owing to the extremely
hot weather, the court would not
meet until September and that he
would turn over his reception room
to the court. The secretary said:
1T is toe hot now and | do not be-
lleve it would be very comfortable for
officers to sit in their heavy, full dress
uniforms during August. issued
an order some time ago dispensing
with the wearing of full dress uni
forms during court martial, but this
case will be so important that every
form of official dignity will be OBJ
served, even to the guard of marines
at the door,"
'tWill the sessions of the court be
open?" was asked.
'UnquestionabIy," was the en-
phatic reply. 81 propose to make
that fact very plain. It would be a
great mistake to have secret court.
The country has the right to know all
that transpires in the way of testi-
mony offered. Personally, I should
be very glad to have a court composed
of a larger number of officers, but the
naval regulations restrict me to the
selection of three. / hope to an
nounce the personnel OF the court to-
morrow and this will give the Judge
| advocate and the recorder ample time
to prepare list of witnesses who are
to be summoned. l do not believe
that the session of the court will be
prolonged, because after all, a great
deal of the talk over the Santiago
campaign is like the genii's vapor,
which can be condensed in a small
bottle.''
"Will Admiral Schley be allowed
to name witnesses?"
Admiral Schley." was the reply,
'twill be afforded every opportunity
for the appearance of all witnesses he
Ilts ucSifo. ne Is also entitled, un-
der the naval regulations, to be repre-.
sented by counsel"
While Secretary Long was not asked
whether the court of inquiry would
be asked to form and submit an opin
ion upon the facts disclosed by the
investigation, it is considered quite
probable that this course will be pur
sued. Unless the order convenins
the court expressly requires this opin
ion to be expressed, its report mus
be confined to stating the facts found
Although no positive declaration
has been given on the personnel O
the court, it is assumed about the
navy department that Admiral Dewe,
will be president of the court. There
is an impression that the two .othe
members of the court will be retired
naval officers, or at least officers wht
had no connection with the Santiag,
campaign. The selection of retired
officers will have double advantag
Not only will they be free from an.
prejudice growing out of their activ
connection with the department, bu
they will have no fear of future con
sequences arising from their cours
while members OF the board.