Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-07-27
NEW PHASE OF An
OLD CONTROVERSY
Rear Admiral SchIsy Severely Crit
cissd in Maclay'a His
tor Y.
PROTEST TO The PRESIDENT
Editor of Baltimore American Charges
Conspiracy Against the Admiral
Secretary Long fnterdIcts
the Book.

Baltimore, July 22.-General FeliA
Agnus, publisher of the Baltimore
American, has written the following
was sent by wire!
William Mckinley, president, Cam
ton, o.: Maclay's history Of the nav
is In use at the naval academy. In the
third volume, just Issued, the historian
charges Rear Admiral Schley with be-
Ing a coward, a liar, a caitiff, an in
competent and insubordinate. In an
Interview in the American this morn
Ing Maclay, the historian, who Is a
navy department clerk, classed as a
la borer and attached to the Brooklyn
navy yard, says that proofs OF this
third volume, which should have told
the most glorious story in all our naval
annals, were submitted to Secretary
Long n Admiral Sampson, and ap-
proved by them in advance OF pubHca-
ton; also, that Long put him in his
present position after he la read and
approved this scurrilous attack upon
Admiral Schley. These proofs were
also submitted to Admiral Dewey, who
refused to read them. If aught were
needed TO convince any fair minded
mar that a clique in the navy depart
ment has c%onspired to traduce the hero
Of Santiago and that the conspiracy
was carried into execution while that
brave and gallant officer was suffering
eXpatriation on the fever infested
coasts Of South America, this should
furnish ii. VIII you, Mr.. President, in
view Of this, sit quietly by and permit
these c~onspirators to continue their
diabolical work? Every justice loving
American appeals to you to intervene
In the name. and for the sake OF fair
play? Next to being right all the time,
which no man lever was, the best
thing is to find out as soon as possible
that you are wrong, and right your
self immediately. Felix Agnus,
Publisher Baltimore American
Book Is Barred.
Washington, July 22.-The secretary
OF the navy has decided that the third
volume OF Maclay's history Of the
Spanish-American war shall not be
used as q text boo at the naval acad-
envy unless the obnoxious language II
contains In characterizing the action
OF Rear Admiral Schley is eliminated.
The secretary says that IL would be
manifestly improper TO nave a history
such Incorporate language
as a text book for the cadets. Ho
will inform both Commander Vain
wright, who is In command of the
naval academy, and Mr.. Maclay, the
OF the history, Of his decision.
In this connection. the secretary says
the proofs Of the entire volume
were not submitted to him by the his
torian. He received only the proofs Of
third chapter, that relating to the
mobilization Of the fleets, which con
tains a summary Of the orders which
he as secretary OF the navy had Is
sued In making the naval preparations
FOR the war. The chapter was satisfac-
fn.ty aF1 he rnttIryan1 tf 20 Nv Mnn1o -
an indication of his approval. He
he never saw the account Of the
Of Santiago and the criticisms
IF Rear Admiral Schley until after the
book was published. Mr.. Maclay was
appointed to his present position In
he New York navy yard August %,
900. having been transferred from the
light house service,
Statement by Maclay.
New York, July 2O.-Edgar Maclay
yesterday replied to the criticism which
las been made upon his historical
works dealing with Admiral Schley and
navy during the Spanish war. He
aid IN part:
Il did not appreciate at the time /
wrote the book that the terms were i'm
and Incorporate. 1t is only
ecently that it has met with adverse
criticism. Ii is now my intention to
evise that portion Of the work that
with the battle Of Santiago, but
shall not alter the facts, for they are
orrect, and | must first be assured
nat they are in error. The proofs were
to the officers who took part
n the battle of Santiago, as we'll as
o Secretary Long, and received their
%pproval. / should explain that only
hose portions of the book were sub
litted to each officer thai related to
i'm personally or to the part he took
n the battle. The proofs submitted to
lr. Long dealt with that part Of the
YER that concerned him. ! have never
ad any animus against Admiral
chley, and l wrote as I did because I
it to be the truth"
Maclay is an employee at the Brooklyn
q ~ ,-nr1