The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-24
DEWEY is CALLED.
Secretary Long Receives a Let
ter From Schley
Asking Him to Appoint a Court
Of Inquiry.
CONFERENCE is HELD.
The Secretary and the Admiral
of the Navy
Then Retire For a Secret Con-
suItatiOn.
SchIey Is Informed That Court
Will Be Ordered.
CONFERENCE is HELD.

washington, July 24.-Secretary Long
has received a letter from AoInlIai
Schley asking for a court Of inquiry
Nothing beyond this announcement
was made public. The secretary IS no"
in conference with Judge Advocate
General Lemley, Admiral CrOwinsnleld
and Captain Cowles. assistant enleI q
the bureau of navigation. presumably
concerning this matter
Admiral Dewey arrived at the navy
department shortly after 1880 O'Clock
this morning, having been summoned
from his country home near this city
bv Secretary Long. The conference
which was in progress between the sec
retsrv and Admiral Crowninshield,
Captain Cowles and Judge Advocate
General Lemley was Immediately dis
solved and Secretary Long IS now
closeted with Admiral Dewey.
IN his letter to the secretary, Admiral
Schlev does not specify any of the
criticisms to which he takes exceptions
but asks in view of the statements and
fnnuendoes and abusive language con-
tained in AIacIay's history. which he
says he does not consider worthy of
Use III any CQnGECr ~&@e1N 81 -~-~
oufrv of the "entire matter" be held
He also asks that the court shall sit in
washington where his papers are
stored. Secretary Long has replied to
the letter saying that under the cir
cumstances he heartily approves of
Admiral Schley's course and that the
department viii act favorably upon
Admiral Schley's request. It is stated
that Admiral Dewey undoubtedly will
be the head of the court of inquiry The
other members Of the court have not
yet been decided upon. It is not the
intention Of Secretary Long to have
the court convened at once. but to wait
until the weather becomes cooler.
After his conference with Admiral
Dewey, who had responded immediate
ly to the secretary's request for an in
terview. Secretary Long said that he
had not time to decide upon the com
position of the court but il response to
a question to whether Admiral Dewey
would serve upon such a court. if re-
quested to do so. the secretary said:
Admiral Dewey will do his duty
Although no positive declaration has
been given on this point 1t is assumed
aDOul the navy LudL AQ-
miral Dewey viii be president of the
court which viii inquire into the whole
controversy concerning Admiral
Sehley's action during the Spanish war.
There was an impression that the two
other members of the court win be re-
tired naval officers or at least officers
who had no connection with the San
tiaEo campaign The selection of re-
tired officers would have a double ad-
vantage.
Not only would they be free from
any prejudice growing out of their ac-
tive connection with the department,
but they would have no fear of future
consequences arising from their course
while members of the board. The
court Of inquiry probably will not pro-
ceed with its work until fall
The order for the court of inquiry will
not be issued until tomorrow
SCHLEY'S LETTER
Admiral Schley's letter is as follows:
Great Neck. Il T., N. Y. July 90 1901.
Sir; Within the past few days a
series OF press comments have been
sent 70 me from various parts of the
country Of book entitled The History
Of the Navy written by one Edgar
Stanton Maclay. From these reviews It
appears that this edition is a third vol
ume Of the said history extended to in
clude the late war with Spain. which
the two first volumes did not contain
ana were IN use as text books at the
naval academy.
2 From extracts quoted in some re-
views IN which the page and paragraph
are given, there is such perversion of
tacts, mlsconstruction Of intention such
incorporate abuses, defamation of nv
SELF which subjects Mr.. Maclay to ac-
ton IN civil law. While I admit the
rlght Of 1air criticism Of every public
olncer must protest against the low
AlngS ana abusive language of this
violent partisan opponent, who has in
1used INTO the pages Of his book so
much of the malice OF unfairness7 7'as to
make Il unworthy the name of history
or or use In any reputable institution
nave refratned heretofore from
AL comment upon the innuendoes. of enc
mics Inuttered or murnured II secret
and therefore with safety to them
selves think the time has now come
10 take such action as may bring This
entire matter under discussion under
tne clearer ana calIner review of nv
brOthers In arms, and to this end aSi~
such action at the hands of the de-
partment as it may deem best to ac-
complish this purpose.
But I would express the reouest
IN this connection that whatever tha
action may be that it occur in wash
lnseon, where most Of my papers and
Very respectfully.
w. S SCHLEY.
Rear Admiral. n : n
TO the Secretary OF the Navy, Wash
SECRETARY LONGS REPLY
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
schley as follows:
Eevy Department, Washington. INV
q. 1901. ''y
sir.-I am in receipt of yours or tba
3<o instant with reference to the critic