The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-31
DENIES IT ALL
REAR ADMIRAL HOW1sON SAYS
OBJECTIONABLE INTERVIEW
WAS UNAUTHORIZED
uAKEs OFFER TO WITHDRAW
Navy Department In Answer De-
cines to Relieve Him From
Service on SchIey Court
of Inquiry.
NOW RESTS WITH THE COURT

WASHINGTON, Aug 3D.-Acting Sec
retary nacKett made public today er-
sonal corres espondence between Rear Ad-
miral Howison and himself in relation to
the fitness of the admiral to serve up IN
the court Of inquiry, Admiral Howisor
having consented that his personal letter
shall be given to the public. copy Of
Lear Admiral Howison's letter has been
sent to Rear Admiral Schley. The cor
respondence is as follows:
HCWISON'S LETTER.
IPersonal)--7 Asbury Avenue, Yon-
Rers, Aug. "a 1901.-Dear Sir-I have just
retdrned to my home after a short Vls-
1t to Saratoga and Lake George.
Owing TO my detail on the court of in
qulTy ordered to meet January, 1902 next,
md newspapers are, giving nee cred
for serving nearly half century in the
United States navy with honor 1 see
also that am thought
obJectionabe to this court of
inquiry in being thought to have eX-
pressed opinions on the conduct of the
battle of Santiago while serving as COM
mandant of the Boston naval yard short
ly after the result OF that battle was
known. l believe the secretary knows
that l did not attempt to make public
speeches. write for magazines or news
paLerS or make public utterances on
navy or other public subjects. 1t has
been impossible for me to avoid the Wis.
its and questions of representatives of
newspapers while serving at naval
stations at a time when the
Island, during my long service there,
particularly during the great railway
strike, the papers contained many
statements said to have come from my
ofIce, all, or nearly all, of these reports
were harmless, regarding the several
naval detachments serving for the pre-
s>rration Of law and order.
PRAISE FOR REPORTERS.
During my two years service at the
Boston station there was scarcely day
IaSSed without visits from the several
NCston newspapers, and during the Span
lS1 war the Boston navy yard was sell
pom without newspaper representa- atiVes.
found the newspaper men gentlemanly
at all times, and whatever Information
could reasonably impart to them l gave
tlem. interpreted to them the law and
regulations relating to the duties and re-
SpOnsIbilitieS of the several grades of Of
t.cers throughout a fleet of vessels from
the commander in chief to the lowest
among the crew.
When the news Of our naval success at
anl.a and Santiago reached there the
Ieople of Boston We're not beyond the
rest of the country in giving praise to the
men and ommanders-in-chief of the
III cts. The enthusiasm Of the people in
honor of the men and officers engaged at
santiago lasted some time and there was
much discussion to whom the praise
should go for the conduct of that en-
gagernent 1t is the custom in the navy
thdt praise for the success of an en-
Sagement goes to the commander-in
chief; censure for failure also goes to
flm. 1t is said that l made a comparison
between Schley and Sampson, unfavor,
able TO Schley. The word respected" as
used by the reporter is seldom or never
used by navy men in comparing the
Qualities possessed by officers, and 1 am
sure l could never have said this as he
reports, nor said that Schley had the
reputation of being nervous and hot
headed in the naval academy.
one may say an officer stands higher
in his class; if true, another may stand
h eher in scientific attachments, while
another be distinguished for eminent
diplomatic services, while all under dis
cussion are of good standing and pro-
hcient in their general professional call
Ing.
/ have no recollection of the gentleman
representing the Boston Record, and
co not approve of his public statement
as mine. l cannot say that [ have not
discussed with acquaintances matters
published in the newspapers relating to
our naVy'S success, as well as the un-
fortunate dispute so widely carried on.
There are few or no persons la the
navy or in our country who have not
daily discussed these newspaper arti-
CleS.
miral Schley has strong doubts of my
fitness to fairly judge this case with Ad-
miralS Dewey and Benham. As 1t is a
case of grave Importance to those con-
cerned and to the country, I am desir-
Gus of giving my time to help clear
away the trouble
Tie personal opinions of members of
ccurts-martial or courts of inquiry are
not sought nor desired by officers. While
] fe.l deeply honored at the selection of
myself for this duty, it is anything but
pleasant task to sit in Judgment on
fellow officers. However, the honor of
selection nor the unpleaSantneSS of Off
cial duties do not enter into the matter,
am now writing to say to you person
ally three things:
PLAIN DENIAL.
Fjrst--To assure you that 1 am not re-
spCaSlble for nor did ! dictate such an
Int -rview as alleged in the dispatches
from Boston and stated in the news
f. ..ers to have been mentioned by Ad-
miral Schley in . recent letter to the de-
T. Ument.
S -cond-If, however, the department
lee : that the cause of the navy and Of
jus ice will be better served by relieving
mC Of duty on the court, l am entirely
rea-y to withdraw voluntarily or to have
the department relieve me upon its own
init atiVe.
II ird-If, upon the other hand. the de-
Iar1ment knowing all the circumstances,
d.es-res that ] perform the duty, l am
9 ,irely ready to perform it, and can
upon my conscience and oath do my
lty as a member Of the court, without
partiaiity," as the law requires. Yours
sincerely and respectfully,
H. l.. Howison,
Rear Admiral u. s. Navy.
Hon. Frank w. Hackett. Washington
y. =.
HACKETTS REPLY.
Pe2sonaD Washington, Aug. 26, 1901
/, ar Admiral: Your personal letter OF
2-th deserves an immediate reply. You
s&y substantially that there is no founda-
ton for the statements attributed to 1nn