Evening star., 1901-08-03
Mr.. Haekett VIII Fill Vacancy in
the Sohley Court
FHE SELECTION HAS Been MADE
thought to Be Either Luce or
Ramsay.
PREPARATION OF THE CASE

Secretary Long has left the selection of
successor to Rear Admiral Kimberly as
member OF the Schley court OF inquiry
entirely to the discretion Of Acting Secre-
tary Hackett. The latter has accepted
full responsibility In the matter and has
made selection. but withholds the name
of the officer from the public until he Is
fully assured Of his entire willingness to
serve.
There Is reason to believe that he has
selected either Rear, Admiral Luce or Rear
Admiral Ramsay, both Of whom are on the
retired list. with the probabilities in favor
Of the first named officer. The officer
selected Is not in the city. so 1t is said. and
was communicated with by telegram.
Acting Secretary Hackett fully expected
an answer from him today, but up to a
late hour this afternoon nothing had been
heard from him. In the absence of definite
information on the subject Mr.. Hackett
positively declined to disclose his identity.
Departure of Capt. Lemly.
Judge Advocate General Lemly. who Is
charged with the preparation of the case
for the consideration Of the court, left here
this afternoon on his annual vacation. He
will be gone about month, and will spend
most OF his time on the banks of the ST.
Lawrence.
He has already made arrangements for
the collection Of the facts and lists of
witnesses necessary to fully inform the
court Of the circumstances connected with
the matter under investigation.
All the record evidence will be supplied
by the bureau Of navigation. 1t is now
being put in shape for submission to the
court.
It Is said that the presentation Of this
evidence will probably occupy not more
than two weeks OF a months time at the
most. This comparatively short time is
based upon the expectation that 1t will be
necessary to call only a few of the officers
who participated in the West Indian naval
campaign to establish most of the mater
ial facts called for by the precept
The officials do not care for repetitions
of uncontroverted testimony and they feel
that comparatively few of the naval officers
who were with the fleet really know very
much OF the motives which inspired the
naval commanders in the movements which
formed the real basis of the charges against
Admiral Schley.
Duration of the Court.
The duration of the life of the court will
depend to a considerable extent upon the
line Of action to be pursued by the counsel
for Admiral Schley. 1t Is not known
whether he will have few many witness
es Much will depend upon the character
Of the testimony against him.
During the absence of the Judge advo-
cate general the Navy Department will get
in touch with the witnesses whose testi-
Hony Is necessary for the prosecution of
the investigation In order that they may
all be ready to appear promptly before the
court.
1t Is possible that 1t may become neces-
sary to have the evidence OF Admiral Ger
vera and some Of the principal officers of
the Spanish fleet to clear up controverted
points not otherwise possible Of settlement
counsel has gone to his home In New Jer-
ssy for few days. He expects to COM
plete his examination Of the records at the
Navy Department.