The sun., 1901-07-25

ADMIRAL. SCIILEY.
quest AMI dictated letter to the rear
admiral saying that under the circum
stances he heartily approved of his ac-
! tion and that the department would
proceed mt once in accordance with his
! request.
The secretary took this action With
out consultation with any one and
without communicating the request Of
4 Admiral Schley to the president. He
/ tEen called into his Office Rear Admiral
Crowninshied and Captain Cowles,
i cIief and assistant chief respectively
Of the bureau Of navigation, and also
Judge Advocate General Lemiy, who
has charge If formalities OF naval
courts lie also sent for Admiral Dew
| ey
Although Rear Admiral Schley did
not aek specifically for a court of in
gliiry but left The action to be taken
to tho Judgment Of he department, the
secretary decided that such court
world he the best means of making the
invc sigation which the rear admiral
has asked FOR. aud the three bureau
officers were called in for the purpose
Of discussing the mode Of procedure in
such cases.
Personnel of Court.
After his conference with Admiral
Dewey. who had responded immediate
IL to The secretary's request for an in
tprview, the secretary said that he had
not had time 20 decide upon the com
4 In ri lint n tn
, i; question as TO whether Admiral Dew
! ey would serve upon such court If re
quested TO do SO the secretary said,
! admiral Dewey viii do his duty"
+, Although no positive declaration has
been given on this point, it is assumed
. about the navy department that Ad-
miral Dewey will he president of the
court which will inquire into the
! whole controversy concerning Admiral
S;rhley's action during the Spanish war
= There also is an Impression that the
!, two other members Of the court will be
retired naval officers or III least officers
, who had no connection with the San
!. tiaso campaign.
! The selection Of retired officers woul(
!, have II double advantage. Not only
:, would they he free from any prejudice
!, growing ont Of their active connection
:. with The department but they woul,
hayc no fear Of future consequence
/. arising from thpr course while mem
!, berS Of the board,
The court Of inquiry probably vii
i moi proceed With its work until fall
/. Secretary Long said that 1t would b
!, unfair 10 ask Il court Of inquiry to con
yrne III Washington during the presen
u, extremely hot weather for the prosecr
J tton Of an inquiry which promises t
!, be quite prutrarted.
i. Schley's Letter.
N Admiral Sehlcy's letter is as follows
>, Gtcat Neck, n 81 July y
Sir Within tkG past few Aats series of pre-
y comments haze been sent u from yarol
as lhft- d lii country u a book entitled III
81 History ii tic Nayt," written W Edgar Sta
ia Ton Mltlat, From these reviews il appears TN
- this edition i 4 lrl volume Of the said lIisto
~ extended 10 include Tie late with Spai
,rk which tile tWu f.j volumes did not contain, al
we've il risr - Textbooks at the Naval academy.
. From excerpts quoted in some reviews, in Viii
'ht lfv paee and paragraph are given, there is su
lfg PCINpisiun ui Gets, misCunstiHctiun a inentu
m surh tttynparate abuse and defamation of lnys
~, Which subjects Nj. MleIaY to action in ciyi La
- While | admit tho right o fair criticism Of eve
till ntiIic o,h.rr. m,lst protest AGAINST the /,
ity hinss ami abusive language If this violent =.
tisan opponent who has Infused into the pal
dt his book much d The malice nf uHtairn
as 70 make il unworthy the tame Of history or
rs, in any reputable institution Of the country
- | have retainpd heretofore from all CONNIE
;aS upon The innurndocs af enemies muitered OF nj
~ INJURED in secret and therefore With safety to the
a. selves. / think the time has come to IA
yhe such action as may bring this entire matter un'
ob- discussion undrr Tho clearer and calmer review
N my brothers in arms, and to this end ! ask -
AN action al The hands uf the department as il II
40 deem hc- 10 accomplish this purpose.
49, nut | would express The request III this conn
ian that Whatever the action may be. il
our in Washington, where most OF my papers
data are stored.
II longs Reply.
H. Secretary Long replied to Admin
,es. Schley rs follows:
ind Navy Department, Washington, July p
re- Sir ! am in receipt II yours Of the 22d in
il with reference to the criticisms upon you in {
III nat .tou with the Spanish American war .nd he;
ilY approve VI Your actiun, under the circt
stanccs, in asking al the hands u this deps
mait ..suc action as may bring this entire mat
under discussion under the clearer and ralmer
view of my brothers in arniN The departm
ne II at once proceed il accordance with your
IN quest
dag Congress in 1895 established the pr
my ciple that no court martial could
tai' held two years after the occurrence /
der investigation. This is known
the naval statutes of limitation, Al
by while il bars a court martial relati
lpss to the Santiago campaign, it does
last bar the court Of inquiry. In. this c;
tie co.. Of inquiry would ~ effect