The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-31
THE LETTER FROM SCHLBY.
Navy Department Officials Decline
40 Make 1t Public.

Report That the Rear Admiral OBJ
jects 10 the Sc Of the Word ''Dfs-
Obcdicncc of Orders in the Pre-
cCpt for the Court of Enquiry.
The speculation over the whereabouts
If the letter Of Rear Admiral Winfield s
ScnIey in regard 20 the Court of Enquiry
To Secretary Long was ended this morn
ing The important missive is now at
the Navy Department. safely locked I'm
the private desk Of Captain LemIy. the
Judge Advocate General of the Navy who
declines to allow it TO be seen OF TO re
veal the nature OF its contents. He sim
ply Acknowledges the fact that he has the
letter of Admiral SchIey in his posses
sion. but further than this he viii say
nothing upon the subject protecting him
self from the fire Of questions concerning
it. behind the irou-clad order Of Secretary
Long that officers and employees Of the
Navy must not discuss the SchIey coHtro-
vcrsy OF matters pertaining TO the Court
OF Enquiry.
Whether the communication was reCeiv-
ed by Secretary Long before his depart
ure and knowledge OF its contents car
ried away with him. or whether its de
Livery was delayed 10y the Postoffice De
partmeut. is not definitely known, al
though the former theory is supposed to
be correct. as Secretary Long is known
to be familiar with the contents Of the
letter. The statement that the letter is
in the hands Of the department is "A
source Of relief to Captain Parker. the
assistant counsel for AGmiraI Schley, who
entertained the fear yesterday that ii had
miscarried He assisted in its prepara-
tion and was certain that ne had posted
it in New York city on Sunday just be
fore starting Tor Washington
Concerning the contents Of the letter
the officials are silent. 1t is known. now
ever that the Schley letter does make OBJ
lection TO the fifth clause of the precept
in which ;he admiral is directly charged
with disobedisnce 20 orders of the depart
mCut.
The Navy Department is now clubbing
over the meaning Of the word "disobedi-
euce" asserting that it signifies a fail
ure or omission 90 obey without any
qu. liacation as 10 the possibility. practi-
cability. or feasibility Of following the in
structions. The argument against the
wording Of the clause which Admiral
SchIey is said tC have made I'm his letter
is believed TO have disturbed the a. thors
OF the preCept 10 some extent but they
are insisting today that the phrasecIogy
should De allowed 60 stand as IN Is. No
reply 90 Schley's 'etter will De made today
Rear Admiral Crowninshield does not
wish 10 take the responsibility OF the
matter and viii turn il over TO Assistant
Secretary Hackett when he returns from
his vacation tomorrow
Rear Admiral CrowuiushieId took occa-
sion TO assert his authority as Acting
Secretary Of the Navy today by denying
Captain Parker the privilege Of employ
ing the messenger of the department TO
assist him in gathering data and informa-
tion in the preparation Of Admiral
Schley's case
Yesterday Captain Parker received some
assistance from the Navy Department en-
pIoyes. but today ne is obliged 10 get
whatever papers he wishes himself, and
the clerks and messengers stand by and
look a. him Rear Admiral CrowuiusHieId
SAYS they are busy with the routine duties
Of the office and the work of the depart
mcut cannot be mterfered with hy Cap
tain Parker. That gentleman is occupying
Secretary Longs private office again to-
day and Is busily engaged in looking over
the records of the department pertaining
70 Admiral Schiey's case. He expected 20
be engaged for several days and may find
il necessary TO employ some assistance.
The name Of Judge Jere Wilson. Of this
city has been mentioned In connection
with counsel for Admiral SchIey Judge
Wilson is now in Europe. but viii return
about the middle Of August. At present
be- has not been retained. although he
may Doe upon bis arrival in Washington.
The matter of the selection Of an officer
% take the place Of Rear Admiral Kim
berry on the Court Of Enquiry is in the
hands of Secretary Long, and he is not
expected 10 designate anyone for several
days. 20 appointment wiz be made
either bv Assistant Secretary Hackett or
Rear Admiral Cr0WuinshieId while Act
ing Secretary of The NAVY.