The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-07
VIII Assist Dewey and Benham in De-
termfning the Questions Raised
by Rear Admiral Schicy.
HIS SELECTION APPROVED
HIS
APPOINTMENT SATISFACTORY TO
AND HIS COUNSEL.
Hovison Formerly an Indianinn-Wit-
nesses summoned from Abroad
Promotions in the Army.
WASHINGTON, Aug. G..

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The vacancy
In the Schley court of inquiry caused by
the inability of Rear Admiral Kimberly
to serve. on account of i'll health, has been
filled by the selection of Rear dmiral
Henry L. Howison. whose appointment was
announced by Assistant Secretary Hackett
to-day. AT the same time it was announced
that this appointment would be agreeable
to Admiral Schley. The department, before
taking action. had submitted a list of
names to Admiral Schley, which included
that of Rear Admiral Howison. and Ad-
miral Schley had indicated his entire will
ingness TO accept any officer on the list.
The department also communicated the Sc
lection to Captain Parker before making lt
public. Assistant Secretary Hackett. be-
fore issuing the order. communicated with
admiral Howison, who is at present at
Saratoga Springs. N. Y, and ascertained
from him that he had given %utterance to
no expression of opinion regarding the mer-
its of the Sampson-Schley controversy. The
department announced that Admiral Howl
son would accept the detail. Admiral
Dewey was notified of ADMIRAL Howison's
selection. and the department sent to the
latter a copy of the precept, together with
Admiral Schley's letter relative to the fifth
INA u eHC AtCNR HINt II h
ment's response thereto. which correspond
ence is part of the official record.
A preliminary list of the witnesses who
will be called to appear before the court has
been prepared at the Navy Department.
Some of these officers are on foreign sta
tions, and will be Obliged to leave for home
almost Immediately in order to arrive in
time. Admiral Schley has also submitted
a list Of Witnesses, some of whom are on
foreign stations, and these also will be or
ordered home. Among the witnesses desired
by Admiral Schley is Lieutenant Benjamin
w. Wells, the admirals flag secretary.
There are no Spanish officers on Admiral
Schiey's list.
Commander William Swift, commanding
the gunboat Yorktown. nas been ordered
to relieve Commander Seaton Schroeder as
naval Governor of the Island Of Guam.
The Yorktown is now en- route TO Guam.
The assignment Of Commander Swift is
Uanent Governor. 1t became necessary TO
detach Commander Schroeder from that
duty prior TO the expiration of the usual
period OF sucn assignment IN order that he
might return to the United States and teS-
tify before the Schley court of inquiry.
Captain James Parker. Admiral Schley's
assistant counsel. appeared at the Navy
Department to-day 10 resume his inVestiga-
ton Of the official records in connection
with the disputed points in the Santiago
campaign. He was given a desk in the
secretary's office. as he was last week, and
SuCn RECORDS as ne called lOr were placed at
his disposal by the Bureau of Navigation.
Rear Admiral Henry l.. Howison is a
cousin of Capt. William e. English, of In
d%ianapolis. He was appointed TO Annapolis
from southern Indiana by William H. Eng
fish when the latter was in Congress. He
has made visits TO this city. but re-
CARDS Washington as his home. Rear
Admiral Howison Is one Of the
youngest retired officers of his grade, hav-
ing been retired Oct. 10, 1899, when he
reached the age of siXty-two. During the
early part of the war he served principally
In blockade duty, but later participated In
the battle Of Mobile bay as commander Of
the United States ship Bienville. IL is
rather an interesting coincidence that he
was in OF the cruiser Vandalia
at Samoa, which later went down in the
hurricane in Apia harbor While flying the
flag of Rear Admiral Kimberly, who had
succeeded him as senior officer on the sta
ton. and whom he now succeeds in this
court. He was in command OF the Boston
navy yard during the Spanish war, and
later was commander of the South Atlantic
station. he made the famous long-distance
cruise around Africa In the Chicago as the
last act Of his active career. arriving in
New York the day before Admiral Dewey
arrived in the Olympia. It will be remem-
bered that. although he outranked Admiral
Sampson. who was in command of the re-
ceiving feet at that time, he refrained from
assuming command, but courteously al
lowed Admiral Sampson 10 do the honors
upon that celebrated occasion.