The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-07-26
.SCHLEY TO DEMAND
COURT OF INQUIRY
Turns at Last Upon His
Traducers.
WILL FIGHT FOR FAIR FAME
jury viii BE Composed Of Noted
Naval Officers and Case viii
4 BE of Tremendous Interest.

The Washington Post Monday night
telegraphed Admiral schley that In
an editorial 1t insisted that he owed
1t to himself as well as to his friends
to begin proceedings against Mr. Mac
lay, the author OF the history of the
United States navy, to disprove the
latters charge, adding:
win you do this? Please wire state
ment."
Tuesday 1t received the following
telegram:
Great Neck. L. l., July 23.-Editors
Washington Post: | believe the FIRST
step should be investigation Of all mat
ters by court, then a civil action after
wards. / am preparing to take this
course. w. S. SCHLEY."
The Post Of Wednesday morning, as
a result Of extensive inquiries based
on the admiral's dispatch contained the
following:
Admiral Schley proposes to ask an
investigation at the hands of a naval
court of inquiry and then to sue Histo-
rian Maclay for libel.
His action is the sequel to the de-
velopments during the past week when
the entire country has been stirred by
the publication of the unexampled
abuse poured out upon him in the third
volume of E. S. Maclay's history of the
United States navy, in which publi-
cation Schley is said to have run away
in catliff fight and is in addition de-
nounced a coward, a cur and a traitor"
Will Be Notable Court.
The Schley court of inquiry will UNI
doubtedly be one of the most celebra-
J ted in the naval or military history of
the country. The high rank of the Off
GERS involved in the controversy and
the intense public feeling aroused will
combine to give the investigation a
dramatic interest. Nothing has occur
red in Washington for many years that
will compare with it.
The appointment of the court of in
quiry is expected to be made by Secre-
tary Long, though it would be in the
power of the president to make the Sc
lection If he chose. This is hardly like
ly to occur, however.
Admiral Schley's letter asking for
the appointment of court will be adj
dressed to Secretary Long, who is his
immediate chief. To address the COM
munication to the president, ignoring
r Secretary Long, would not only be a
breach Of naval etiquette, but would
The totally at variance with Schley's
careful observance of punctillous pro-
,cedure. The court, therefore, will be
named by Secretary Long unless he
shall prefer to refer the matter to
the president.
Secretary Long has stated that II
scbley requested a court of inquiry he
will grant the request and he has also
EXPRESSED his willingness to personally
select the court. While he has MOI
made any statement as to it's person
mel there is every reason to believe
that he favors Admiral Dewey ant
4 Rear Admirals Ramsay and Benham
he two latter being now upon the re
cd list. The name Of Admiral Wa
tlf has been suggested, but it
Ker that he expressed views on tn
known ,-Schley controversy in antaG
sampson 7chley, and his appointment
'onlsm 10 'ore be questioned. 1t
would there. " Ramsay and Benhar
sald that DeWe ~efully avoided givin
ave always ca ,e merits of the COZ
opinion as to t. officers are res
IroYersy. All these although tempo
dents OF Washington, to escape tn
rarily out Of the city v summone
heat, but could be quichA, 4he table {
to take their place AROUND :
Fhe court