Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-07-26
COURT OF INQUIRY
As Appointed Is Dewey, Kim
ber|y and Benham.
But Kimberly Says He Cannot Serve,
Owing to III Health.
The SchIey Investigation Will Open at Wash.
ington. Sept IL.

inquiry, which is to investigate the
controversial points in connection with
Admiral Schley's conduct during the
| Spanish war, will be composed of Ad-
| miral Dewey, president of the court
| and Rear Admirals Lewis A. Kimberly
and Andrew +. X. Benham. The court
VIII meet at the navy department in
Washington, Sept. II. Secretary Long
announced these facts, today
The precept to the court which is be-
ing prepared by capt. Lemly. judge
advocate general, has not yet been
completed. The scope of the inquiry
| Will not be known until the precept
and order for the converting of the
| court are issued. 1t is expected that
they viii be promulgated by the de-
! partment. tomorrow. Secretary Long
says, however. that the proceedings Of
the court will be open and that the
widest latitude viii be permitted in the
matter of witnesses and that Rear Ad-
mir2l Schlcy will be allowed to be rep
resented by counsel.
Tho secretary had nothing to say
about the composition Of the court cx-
| Ccpt that h" thought it spoke for Itself
and to express the hope that the mem
| beers chosen would be satisfactory to all
| cone ernrd. He pointed out that none
Of the officers chosen had so far as ne
| knew expressed an opinion concerning
| what is known as the sampson Schlcy
| controversy and il was, therefore. To
| be presumed that they would enter
| upon their work in an impartial and
UMPIRE judicial spirit.
| The members Of the court are dis
| tnctively fighting men. Each had been
| connected with a celebrated event in
naval annals. OF Admiral Dewey, the
| hero of the battle of Manila bay it is
| unnecessary to speak. His record is
familiar to all
His associates Rear Admiral himber-
~ and Rear Admiral Benham. are both
retired officers. The former was re-
tired in 1892 and the latter in 1894. Ad-
| miral Kimberly is Il years Of age and
Admiral Benham CO years. Each saw
over - years Of active service Both
had records during the Civil War.
The great event with which Admiral
kimberlys name is associated is the
destruction of the American fleet in the
harbor Of Apia. Samoa. during the ter
rifle hurricane which occurred there in
1889.
Admiral Benham played a dramatic
part at Rio de Janeiro during the
great naval revolution in 1894. the par
ticulars Of which We're recounted in
these dispatches few days ago.
All dav Secretary Long was engrossed
in seeking a suitable judge advocate
Commander John Z. Pillsbury. it was an
nounced early in the day at The depart
NM Oh I,,,t lata n;
name was abandoned. 1t was recalled
that as commander OF the dynamite
cruiser Vesuvius he had served under
Sampson off Santiago and. moreover, as
equipment officer Of the Boston navy ward
he was now. again, a subordinate Of the
same admiral.
Late this afternoon. Sec. Long believed
that he lad found such an officer in the
person Of capt. Sam &. Lcmlcy. the
Judge advocate OF the navy While it
cannot be said thai the matter is abso-
lutely settled Sec. Long went SO far az
To ask Capt. Lemley if he felt free to
accept the assignment and it is believed
capt. Lemley will answer yes.
The precept To the court probably will
tc issued. tomorrow 1t promises to III
rather extended statement Of the SCOPE
4
ments in less important cases. Whether
il will direct the court to return an opin-
ion or simply to ascertain the facts. Sec.
Long thus far declines to state.
Rear Admiral Schley was not notified.
today. by the department of The officers
VINO VIII decide his ease, but the pre-
,pt viii! be sent to him and il Will con-
stitutc his official notification.
Secretary Long was disappointed to
learn that Rear Admiral kimberly would
ask TO be relieved from the dciaii on ac-
count of i'll health. Should he decline tn"
secretary will select one of the other re-
tired rear admirais to take his place.
Rear Admirals Luce. Ramsey. J"uett,
Gherardi and Walker are some Of the
names advanced.
The difficulty in a selection from the
list of retired rear admirals is that most
of them are far advanced in years ana
not in a state of health to warrant them
in assuming the extremely onerous duties /
of "A court of inquiry, such as this IS Ike
lv to be.