Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-13
SCHLEY WINS FIRST ROUND|
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ances are not long retained. l sin cerely hope that during the examina- tion of my eligibility for membership should there be any doubtful points raised, that all such points be decided in favor of Admiral Schley, who is the one most particularly concerned.
 fI have no personal interests or feelings in the matters to come before the court except the interests l have. I have great faith in the impartiallty and justice of naval officers serving on courts and sincerely hope that the results finally obtained may be satis- factory to our navy and country"
 "H. l.. HOWISON."
 The testimony having been closed, MT Rayner in q few words called at tentiOn to the Sact that three state ments made by the witnesses had not been denied. He wished it distinctly understood that there is no impeach- ment here of the admiraIs integrity, or nis capacity, or ifs eminent quail. fications; and not the slightest criti- ciSm of any remarks he made at the time. He had a perfect right to talk about this matter and to come to his own conclusions, but the question re mained, ssIs the admirars mind in such d condition that it throws upon us the burden of proof to relieve his mind of a prejudice that he has against our side of the caseY
 The court took q brief recess to. con- sider this matter, and when it return ed Admiral Dewey promptly said: "I have to announce that the objection of the applicant to Rear Admiral HowI- son is sustained by the court. Howl son is excused from service-for which, I know. he is very glad''
 Assistant Judge Advocate Hanna as a further part of the admiraFs reply read his letter of explanation to As sistant Secretary Hackett, made pub lie some days ago.
 MT Rayner asked permission to in tefrogate Admiral Howison The court granted permission and the examina- tion proved to be one of the most In- teresting features of the days proceed ings. Mir Rayner pressed his ques- uOns persistently, but the admiral did not at any time compromise in his con tentfon that he was competent to sit as q judge in this inquiry Before the questions began Admiral Howison re marked that he did not desire to %
 
 Mr Rayner replied: "I will not go into any private matters at all, admiral: but the matter of whether or not you had those conversations with, these gentlemen is one which we will have to go into. l will not encroach at all on anything that is improper. I will be very careful about that. because this is not an Impeachment of your ca- pacity or integrity either. It is mere ly question of whether your mind is made up on certain subjects in connec- tiOn with this matter.''
 He then asked the admiral concern ing Mir FrOSt's statement that he CHowison) had said that Admiral Sampson deserved the credit for win ming the battle of Santiago.
 'l want to know," he said, "whether or not you ever said that to MT Frost ?''
 Maybe l did," the admiral replied, retectively, and continued: If he was commander-in-chief probably did say so-nOt only to Mir Frost, but to others. l am merely talking now of the navy orders and regulations and the customs and commands of the service"
 Being questioned as to his statement concerning MT SpOn's testimony, the admiral replied that he not only did not remember Mir SpOn's face, but said that he had no recollection whatever Of the incident concerning which that witness had testified ''I tried while he was sitting here,' the admiral said. ito remember if I had ever seen the man before, and l positively cannot re- member ever seeing him, nor do I -e- member the occurrence of any such circumstances as he says did occur on certain place on board of the Min neapOlis. l did come home on the Min neapOliS, but it is not my custom to in- terfere with peoples talk when they are talking outside. I have had them abuse me also aboard ship many times when I was executive officer; I have heard them and recognized the mems voices; but 1 never went to the men about it. I knew that they never in- tended that l should hear it I never would interfere with conversation of that kind. It would be unreasonable. 2
 MT Raynor: And you have no reeol- lection of your saying anything on that voyage to anyone of the subject of Sampson-Schley controversy?
 HowisOn: T do not remember what I said. l may have said something on that voyage; I do not answer anyone's questions if they are asked politely. where it does not make any differ ence."
 MT Rayner; ''You do not recollect saying on that voyage to anyone that if Schley had done certain things he ought to have been courtmartiaIed."
 Rear Admiral HOwison: No, I don't remember making any such remark. But if someone, for instance, should come to me and say that certain off cer had done a certain thing I might say that under the navy regulations he would be subject to courtmartial or discipline of some sort if he had done a certain thing. I would not hesitate to say that to you at any time or to anybody else"
 Taking up the testimony of NIT Nichols. Mir Rayner called Admiral Howison's attention to the fact that in his formal reply he had not denied the statements of that witness. The admiral said he had never said to MI Nichols that Schley had no business in the navy, or that a man could not re- main in the English navy under such circumstances.