Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-07-24
ADMIRAL SCHLEY 70 ASK
FORA COURT OF INQUIRY.
THE PUBLICATION OF MACLAf's
ABUSE AND THE GENERAL
COMMENT,
VAS FORCED THE ISSUE.
ADMIRAL DEWEY WILL PROBABLY
BE A MEMBER OF
THE COURT.

ir0tOn Post last night telegrap1ed Al
rrtraI Schley that in an editorial it in
listed that he owed 1t to himself as we'll
as 10 his friends to >egin proceedings
AGAINST Mr.. Maclay, the author Of the
history of the United States navy. to
disprove the latter's charges, adding:
viii you do this? Please wire
statement.
To-day it received the following tele-
gram:
GREAT NECK, L. l., July %.
To Editor Washington Post:
| 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.
Csigned) wv. S. SCHLEY."
The Post in the morning, as a result
Of extensive inquiries based upon the
Admirals despatch, will say In part:
Admiral Schley proposes to ask an In
yestigation at the hands of a naval
court of inquiry and then to sue histor-
ian Maclay for libel.
His action is the sequel to the deyel-
opments during the past week, when the
entire country has been stirred by the
publication of the unexampled abuse
poured out upon him in the third vol
une of E. S. Maclay's history Of the
United States navy, in which publica-
ton Schley is said to have run away
in caitiff fight and is, in addition, de-
nounced as a coward, a cur, and trail
tor.
The Schley Court of Inquiry
will undoubtedly be one of the most
celebrated cases in the naval or mill
tary history of the country. The rank
Of the officers involved in the contro-
versy and intense public feeling which
has been aroused will combine to give
to the investigation dramatic interest.
Nothing has occurred in Washington
for many years that will compare
WIN it.
The appointment of the court of in
quiry is expected to be made by Secre-
tary Long, though it would be in the
power of the President to make the
seections if he chose. This is hardly
likely to occur, however.
Admiral Schley's letter asking for the
appointment of the court will be ad-
dressed to Secretary Long, who is his
immediate chief. To address the COM
municatlon to the President, ignoring
Secretary Long would not only be a
breach of naval etiquette, but would be
totally at variance with Schley's careful
observance of puncticilious procedure
The court, therefore, 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 a court Of in
quiry he would grant the request and
has also expressed his Willingness to
personally select the court. While he
has not made any statement as to its
personnel there is every reason to be-
lieve that he
Favors Admiral Dewey
and Rear Admirals Ramsey and Ben
ham, the two latter being now upon the
retired list. The name of Admiral
Walker has been suggested, but It is
known that he has expressed views
upon the Sampson-Schley controversy
IN antagonism to Schiey, and his APP
polntment would, therefore, be serious
ly questioned. 1t is said that Dewey,
ramsey of Benham have always care
July avoided giving an opinion as to
the merits of the controversy. All
these oitcers are residents of Washing
ton, though temporarily out of the city
10 escape the summer heat and could
De quickly summoned to take their
places around the table of the court.
Three names are mentioned because
mat number is specified in the naval
regulations for courts Of inquiry. There
IS possibility that Admiral Dewey
might ask to be excused as he would
nave right to do, but it is also moral
" certain that in this event he would be
specifically detailed by the secretary for
service on the board. This would make
Ms attendance imperative Secretary
Long has from the moment that a
court Of inquiry was suggested. favored
the
appointment of Admiral Dewey,
0eileVing that his appointment would
give the highest character to the court
ana that any decision which it might
reach might be accepted by the Amer
lean people.
ADMIRAL Ramsey was for eight years
d. the head of the bureau of navigation.
Admiral Benham came into promi-
nence in 1894, during the brief revolu-
'on against President Fonseca, Of Bra
Oh The Brazilian navy, under Admir-
DIS Mello and Da Cana, had revoltsd.
ana Da Cana, in command of the Bra
IH'an ships In the harbor of Rio de
'aheiro had declared blockade. Ad-
Hlrql -