Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-24
ANOTHER DIG BY SCHLEY
Inquiry as to Statement Made by
Admiral Howison.
PREJUDICE IN CASE ALLEGED
Expectation That Howison VIII Ask to be
Relieved, or That His Appointment
viii Be Revoked.

VIII Be Revoked.
Washington Aug. 2i-Acting Secre-
tary Hackett wonld not give any
information yesterday afternoon TO
inquiries regarding the disposition
made of the letter from Admiral
Schley's counsel to the Navy De-
partment concerning Admiral's How
ison's alleged interview critisizing
Schley.
As in every thing else relating to
the department it is to be reticent and
exclusive No information is given
upon any point, and the utmost
secrecy and mystery attaches to every
thing that is done. How far this at
tltude is due to Mr.. Hackett person
ally is difficult to determine, but there
are rumors that Secretary Long is
greatly dissatisfied with the admins
tration of affairs during his absence
and that he will curtail his vacation
in order TO resume control. 1t Is
known that several letters have gone.
from Washington to Canton, calling
the Presidents attention to the man.
ner in which Mr.. Hackett is conduct
ing the department, and if these COM
plants are echoed from Canton into
Mr.. Longs ears there will be doubt
as to his return
While Mr.. Hackett refuses to give
out any information as to the dispo
sltion of the letter concerning Howl
son. the belief In the department is
that even Mr.. Hackett would not take
the responsibility of refusing to for
ward it to Admiral Howison The
later as the Post stated yesterday, is
credited with having uttered certain
remarks derogatory of Schley in
newspaper interview, and the counsel
for Schley simply asks that he either
contradict or affirm the truth, OF the
publication. 1t is bell we'd, of course
that he will say that the interview
never occurred. This would be zorro
borative of communication said to
have been received from him before
his appointment. in which he is said
to have emphatically asserted that he
had never given utterance to any
opinion upon the subject. If he again
takes this position, the matter will be
at an end. There is no desire upon
the part of Admiral Schley's counsel
TO raise unnecessary bubbles, but
they are anxious that the record
should be clear.
A reply ought to be received from
Admiral Howison by the latter part
of this week, as his home is at Yon-
kers, N. Y although he is probably
at Saratoga at this time. Ii he
ignores the demand upon him for a
statement as to the truth of the inter
view, the question as to his eligibility
will be raised when the court con-
venes No one believes, however. that
the matter will reach that extreme.
Ii the interview is based upon fact,
Admiral Howison may ask to be re-
lieyed from duty upon the court.
SCHLEY gle S A REBUFF.
Washington, ID. @. August 22-The
Navy Department has declined to
comply with the request of Rear Adj
miral Schley that Rear Admiral How
ison, member of the Schley Court of
Inquiry, be asked to say whether he
was correctly reported in an alleged
interview regarding the conduct of
Admiral Schley IN the Santiago cam
paign.
In letter to Admiral Schley Act
ins Secretary Hackett states that the
Department regards his request in
the light OF preliminary challenge
of Admiral Howison as mem Der OF
the Court, and that, therefore, the
matter Is referred to the Court tor Its
information
The announcement of the decision
of the Department was made after
long conference between Acting Sec
rotary Hackett, Admiral Crownin-
shield, an Lieutenant Ward, OF the
Navigation Bureau, and Solicitor
Hanna, OF the office of the Judge Adj
yocate General of the navy.
The correspondence between Adj
miral Schley and Navy Department
shows that Admiral Schley. a few
days since, requested the Department
to inquire of Admiral Howison re-
garding the authenticity of an alleged
interview in which Admiral Schley
and to send to the latter copy of
Howisons reply.