The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-07-25
Admiral Dewey and Rear AdmiraIs
Kimberley and Benham Inves-
tigators Of Santiago Battle.
Beau BrummeI Sampson Takes Oc-
casion to Say Unpleasant Things
About Admiral SchIey.

Washington, July 25.-The board of in
quiry which is to investigate the contro-
versial points in connection with Admiral
Schley's conduct during the Spanish war
will be composed Of Admiral Dewey. pres
ldent OF the court, and Rear Admirals
Lewis A. Kimberly and Andrew E. K.
Benham. The court will meet at the navy
department in Washington, Sept. .12.
Secretary Long announced these facts
to-day. The precept to the court, which
is being prepared by Captain Lemley,
judge advocate general, has not yet been
completed
The scope of the inquiry will not be
known until the precept and order for the
convening of the court are issued. 1t is
expected they will be promulgated by the
department tomorrow. Secretary Long
says, however, that the proceedings of the
court will be open, that the widest latitude
will be permitted in the matter of wit
nesses and that Rear Admiral Schley will
be allowed to be represented by counsel
The secretary had nothing to say about
the composition Of the court except that
he thought it spoke for itself and to ex-
press the hope that the members chosen
would be satisfactory to all concerned. He
pointed out that none of the officers chosen
had, so far as he knew, expressed an opin-
lon concerning what is known as the
Sampson-Schley controversy and it was
therefore to be presumed that they would
enter upon their work in an impartial and
unprejudiced spirit.
Court of Fighting Men.
The members of the court are distinc-
lively fighting men. Each has been con-.
nected with celebrated event in naval
annals,
OF Admiral Dewey, the hero Of the bat
tie of Manila, it is unnecessary to speak.
His record is familiar to all. His as
sistant, Rear Admiral Kimberly, and Rear
Admiral Benham are both retired officers
The former was retired In 1892 and the
latter in 1894. Admiral Kimberly is II
years Of age, and Admiral Benham SO
years. Each saw over forty five years Of
active service. Both had fine records dur
AA6 NAS SAfA1 wal NC great event Will
which Admiral Kimberly's name is asso-
ciated is the destruction of the American
fleet in the barber of Apia, Samoa, during
the terrific hurricane which oc-
Cured there in 1889. Admiral
Kimberly had been sent to Samoa
at the head Of an American squadron dur
ing the trying period Of our negotiations
with Germany there, and had conducted
himself before the storm with marked
dignity and ability. When the hurricane
| occurred, his entire squadron was
wrecked. The Vandalia and Trenton were
completely destroyed and the Nipsic was
cast ashore The story of the great dis
aster and the heroism displayed by the
American officers and men under the d.
rection Of Admiral Kimberly thrilled the
whole world and made an impression
never to be forgotten.
Admiral Benham played an important
part at Rio de Janeiro during the Brazil
ian revolution in 1884.
Judge Advocate.
The court was completed by the selec-
| tion of Commander John E. Pillsbury as
| judge advocate. Commander Pillsbury is
now equipment officer of the Boston navy
yard which is under command of Rear
Admiral Sampson. He is considered an
exceptionally capable officer. During the
spanish WAR ne was commander OIL the
dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, which was at
tached to the North Atlantic squadron.
under command of Admiral Sampson. He
WILL therefore, be the only officer con-
nected with the court who was a partici-
pant in the maneuvers Of the feet in
West Indian waters. Commander Pills
bury had been selected as commander Of
the training ship Prairie, which is about
to be put into commission, and probably
this appointment will make him lose his
very desirable detail.
While the sessions of the court will
be open, the court will exercise the right,
which 1t has, Of closing the doors for
consultation, and for the discussion Of
disputed evidence.
Pil1sbury Appointment withdrawn.
Late this afternoon Secretary Long re-
considered his decision to appoint Com
mander Pillsbury as judge advocate of the
Schley court Of inquiry. A final decision
in the matter has not yet been reached.