The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-25
FOR COURT OF INQUIRY IN
SCHLEY'S CASE is TO BE
ISSUED TODAY
LONG WILL ACT PROMPTLY
All Hands Apparently Well Pleased
That Facts of Battle of Santt-
ago VIII he Brought
TO Light
PERSONNEL OF THE COURT

Long this morning received letter from
Rear Admiral Schley calling attention
to the criticisms against him which are
contained in Maclay's history of the
navy and the innuendoes which have ap-
peared in the press for several days and
stating that, in his opinion, the time
had now come to take such action as
will bring the entire matter under the
clear and calm review of mis- brothers
In arms" He asked that the depart
ment take such action as was deemed
best to accomplish this purpose He also
requested that whatever action be taken
shall occur in Washington, where his
papers and data are stored. The secre-
tary Immediately decided to comply with
Admiral Schley's request, and dictated
letter to the rear admiral saying that
under the circumstances he heartily app
proved of his action and that the pc
partment should proceed at once in ac-
cordance with his request. The secretary
took this action without consultation
with anyone and without cOmmunicat-
ing the request Of Admiral Schley to the
president. He then called in his office
Rear Admiral Crowninshield and Capt.
COwles, chief and assistant chief respect
lively of the bureau of navigation, and
also Judge Advocate General Lemly, who
has charge Of formalities of naval courts.
He also sent for Admiral Dewey. AL
though Rear Admiral Schley did not ask
specifically for a court of inquiry, but
left the action to be taken to the judg-
nent of the department, the secretary
decided that such a court would be the
best means of making the investigation
which the rear admiral had requested,
and the three bureau officers were called
in for the purpose Of discussing the mode
of procedure in such cases. After his
conference with Admiral Dewey, who
had responded Immediately to the sec
retary's request for an interview, the
secretary said that he had not had
time to decide upon the composition Of
the court, but in response to a question
whether Admiral Dewey will serve upon
= such a court, If requested to DO 80, the
secretary said:
Admiral Dewey will do his duty
PERSONNEL OF THE COURT.
Although no positive declaration has
been given on this point. 1t is assured
about the navy department that Admiral
Dewey will be president Of the naval
court which viii inquire into the whole
f controversy concerning Admiral Schleys
action during the Spanish war There
also is an impression that the two men,
bers of the court will be retired naval
officers, or at least officers who had no
connection with the Santiago campaign.
The selection of retired officers will have
a double advantage Not only will they
be free from any prejudice growing out
of their active connection with the de-
paTtment, but they wul have no fear
of future consequences arising from their
course while members of the board The
court of inquiry probably will not pro-
coed with its work until fall. Secretary
Long said today that it would be unfair
to ask court Of inquiry to convene at
Washington during the present extreme
ly hot weather for the prosecution of an
inquiry which promises to be quite pro-
tracted
Admiral schley's letter is as follows:
ADMIRAL SCHLEYS LETTER
GREAT NECK, L. L, New York. July
% l20l.-Sir: Within the past few days
series of press comments have been sent
to me from VaIioIs parts of the country
of a book entitled The History OF the
Navy written by one Edgar Stanton
70 Maclay From these reviews it appears
that this edition is a third volume OF the
said history extended to include the late
war with Spain, which the two f, ST vol
umes did not contain and We're in use as
text book at the naval academy.
From excerpts quoted In some reviews,
In which the page and paragraph are
given, there is such perversion OF facts,
n-sconstruction Of intention. sIch intem-
perate abuse and defamation of myself
which subjects Mr. Maclay to action in
civil law. While l admit the right to fair
criticism Of every public officer. l must
language OF this partisan opponent who
has infused into the pages of his book SO
much or The malice of unfai' ness as to
make it unworthy the name of history or
o. use In any reputable institution of the
country.
II have refrained heretofore from all
comment upon the innUendoes of enemies
muttered or murmured in secret and
therefore, with safety to themselves
think the time has now come TO take
such action as may bring this entire urat-
7 dor In n1
and calmer review OF nv brothers in
arms, and to this end l ask such action
- a the hands OF the department as it may
deem b, st to accomplish this purpose
But l would express the request in
this connection that whatever the action
may be- that it occur In Wash n eon,
where most of my papers and data. are
Nv. S. schley.
Rear Admiral, u. S. N
ITO the Secretary of the Navy, WASH
LONGS REPLY.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
Schley as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington
July y, lSl-Sir; 1 am in receipt of
yours of the 22d instant with reference
to the criticisms upon you in connection
-, with the Spanish-American war and
heartily approve of your action, under
tee circuInst tances, In asking at the hands
or thls department, such action as may
bring this entire matter under discussion
under the clearer and calmer review OF
my brothers in arms.
THE department will at once procoed
In accordance with your request Re-
spectfully, John D. Long
Rear Admiral w. S. Schley u. S. N"
The information that Admiral Schlev S
letter asking for court of inquiry had
been received by Secretary Long soon
spread through the navy department. and
not since the recent war days has one
them excited such general attention.
CAN BE NO COURT MARTIAL.
Congress in 1895 established the princi-
pie that no court martial could be held
two years after the occurrence under in
vestigation. This IS known as the naval
statutes of limitation, and while 1t bars
a court marital relating to the Santiago
campaign it does not bar the court OF
inquiry. In this case the court of in
quiry would be effective only in establish
ing records, and would not be preliminary
to a court martial.
An important feature in the order di-
recting the court is that specifvinu
whether it Shall state only the facts
found or shall also give an opinion based
on the facts. Unless the order ex-
pressly requires the court to give their
opinion they are confined to stating the
facts found. 1t Is considered quite prob
able, however that in a case of this i'm
Continued on Sixth Page.