The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-08-09
THE THIRD MEMBER-Of THE COURT
OF INQUIRY HAS BEEN SECURED.
ADMIRAL HOWISON To SERVE
A List Of Naval Officers, Including
Who Replies That Any OF Them
Would be Acceptable to Him-A
Sketch of the New Member of the
Court-Prelimfnar Lists of Wit
nesses Furnished by Each Side.

Washington, August 6.-The vacancy
in the Schley court of inquiry caused
by the inability Of Rear Admiral Kim
berly to serve on account of i'll health,
has been filled by the selection of Rear
Admiral Henry L. Howison, whose ap-
pointment was announced by Assistant
Secretary Hackett today. At the same
time it was announced that this ap-
pointment would be agreeable to Ad-
miral Schley..
The department before taking action
had submitted list of names to Ad-
miral Schley which included that of
Rear Admiral Howison. and Admiral
Schley had indicated his entire willing
ness to accept any officer on the list.
The department also communicated the
selection to Captain Parker before MAX
ing it public.
Assistant Secretary Hackett, before
issuing the order. communicated with
Admiral Howison, who is at present at
Saratoga Springs, N. Y, and ascer-
tanned from him that he had given ut
terance to no expression Of opinion re-
Schley controversy.
Later in the day the department an
nounced that Admiral Howison had
been heard from and would accept the
detail. The department thereupon no.
titled Admiral Dewey of Admiral Howl
sons selection and sent to the latter a
copy of the precept, together with Ad-
miral Schley's letter relative to the fifth
paragraph OF the precept and the de-
partment's response thereto, which cor
respondence is part of the official rec
ord.
Rear Admiral Howison is one of the
youngest retired officers of his grade
having been retired October 10, 1899
when he reached the age of 81 years
1t is rather an interesting coincidence
that he was in command of the cruiser
Vandalia at Samoa, which. later, went
went down in the hurricane in Apia
harbor, while flying the flag of Rear
Admiral Kimberley who had succeeded
him as senior officer on the station
and whom he now succeeds on this
court. He was in command of the Bos.
ton yard during the Spanish war and
later. was commander of the South At.
lantlc station. He made the famous
long distance cruise around Africa iI
the Chicago as the last act of his ac-
tive career. arriving in New York the
day before Admiral Dewey arrived in
the Olympia. 1t will be remembered
that although he outranked Admira,
sampson, who was in command of the
receiving fleet at that time he refrain
ed from assuming command, but cour.
teously allowed Sampson to do the
honors upon that celebrated occasion
A preliminary list of the witnesses
who will be called to appear before the
court has been prepared at the navy
department. Some of these officers
are on foreign stations and will be
obliged to leave for home almost i'm.
mediately in order to arrive in time
Armiral Schley has also submitted &
list of witnesses, some of whom are or
foreign stations and these also will bt
ordered home. Among the witnesse:
desired by Admiral Schley is Lieuten
ant Rodger Welles, VINO, was also OF
the Brooklyn as member of Commo
dore Schley's staff throughout the Span
ish war. There are no Spanish officer.
on Admiral Schley's list