The Washington times., 1901-09-02
SAMPSON In POOR HEALTH
Not Probable That He Will Be
Present at the Enquiry.
No Disposition on the Part of Ad-
mirnI ScbIey's Counsel to Compel
His Attendance-SOmc Points He
Would Be Called Upon to Explain.

Reports from Burke Haven, n. H.,
where Admiral Sampson is staying, indi-
cate that his condition is growing more
serious, and lead to the conviction,
which now amounts to practically GER
tainty, that he will not be present in
Washington to attend the Schley Court
of Enquiry. His absence will prevent
what would doubtless otherwise be an
interesting feature of the hearing.
1t may be stated authoritatively that
there is no disposition on the part of
Admiral Schley or his counsel to force
the attendance of Admiral Sampson
should it be shown that he is not phys
ically or mentally capable of withstand
ipR the ordeal of appearing before the
court, and further that there is no desire
ON their part to go to his bedside and drag
out any facts from him relative to the
controversy. II he was only unable to
travel and was otherwise in condition to
testify, it might be feasible to so where
he is.
There may be some points. however, up
on which il will he necessary to interro-
gate him, and for this purpose the court
or commission may go to Burke Haven
to take his testimony, unless he is totally
incapacitated from making any statement
whatever
1t is regarded as highly essential, how
ever, to thorough and complete inves-
tigation that Admiral Sampson give his
testimony in person and submit to cross
examination. but Schley's counsel will
take no action at the expense of Samp-
sons health. nor will they do anything
which will distress him.
There ara several important points upon
question Admiral Sampson. The attorneys
would like to have explained by Samp-
son why it was that in one communica-
tion addressed to the Secretary of the
Navy" on July 10, relative to promotions
of officers engaged in the Santiago hat
tie, he made no reference to repre-
hensible conduct on the part of Schley,
while in another communication on the
same subject, written on the same day.
addressed to My Dear Mr.. Secretary"
he made the direct charge of ''reprehensi-
ble conduct" against Schey.
Another point upon which Sampson
would be closely questioned relates to the
sending of Schley to Cienfuegos, when it
was learned that the Spanish fleet was
at Curacao and that Its objective point
was Havana. Sampson would be asked
to explain why he took his squadron
AROUND on the north side of the island
when 1t was manifest that the senemy
wQuld be met somewhere south of the
island. Sampson had the authority to
direct Schley's movements and to deter
mine which way he himself would go, and
he chose the north side for himself, send
ing Schiey to the south side, where there
was the greater probability of meeting
the Spanish ships.
The Navy Department has no official
advices as to Admiral Simpsons physical
condition and has not as yet communi-
saslr xrrfrh hiru nm he C1nhi nf he.
quiry. All informal reports reaching the
department, however. indicate that he is
badly broken down, and that he is not in
a condition to Withstand the ordeal of
personal examination by the court.
An interesting feature of a challenge
to Rear Admiral Howjson's competency
to serve lies in the fact that il the court,
which alone is the judge of the uualiica-
there is no provision in the naval Tegu-
lsucns or procedure to settle the mat
ter Should Dewey decide that Howison
is competent to sit, and Benham take the
deyised to finally adjust the matter.
There is no doubt but that the Navy
DEPARTMENT is extremely ANXIOUS TO have
4owison sit upon the court, and the i'm
preston strongly prevails that HowisCl
is himself iesirou: of remaining TO mass
Judgment urcn Sch1ey. This is consid-
cred 10 be evident from the general tcne
Of his letter
An interesting statement in this regard
is found in Acting Secretary Hacketts
reply to Admiral Howison's letter. While
he was very careful TO label the letter
personal and to have it understood
when be made il public that it was not
an official communication, he neverthe-
less specifically stated that the depart
ment' had no purpose of relieving him,
and that Ii was satisfied of his sense of
justice and fairnindedness. and further
that the department was convinced of the
wisdom of his selection as a member of