The Washington times., 1901-09-06
A REQUEST FROM SCHLEY.
The Admiral's Witnesses to Be
Brought TO Washington.
Counsel Desire to Confer ns Soon ns
Possible with These Who Are to
Testify in Their Clients Behalf
Admiral SIMPSONS Condition.

| Possible with These Who Are to
| Testify in Their Clients Behalf
| admiral snmpson's Condition.
| Admiral Schley has made a formal re-
quest upon the Navy Department to have
| the witnesses who are to testify in his
| behalf before the Court of Enquiry
brought to Washington soon as possi-
| BILE in order to enable his attorneys to
confer with them before the court meets
next Thursday.
| He was advised yesterday by Acting
Secretary Hackett that the request would
be granted, and 1t is understood that or
ders have been sent out from the office
of the judge advocate of the court sum
moning at once all those who are within
easy access of Washington.
Captain Lemly, the judge advocate has
already conferred with number of the
| important witnesses and number of
others will be here within few days to
undergo a preliminary examination. But
five working days yet remain before the
court convenes at the navy yard. and
this is a very short time to bring here
thirty or more witnesses for conference
with Admiral Schleys attorneys.
In this respect Admiral Schley has
is known in a general way what these
witnesses will testify 10, Judge Wilson
and Mr. Rayner, ar very desirous of
having a personal talk with each one of
them. Their case j. Eow well in hand,
with this exception, and the greater por-
ton of their time fr,tn now until next
Thursday will be occE .iad by the preiimi
nary examination o. .hese officers. A
number of the latter will be unable to
get here until after the court opens. but
as it now seems probable that there will
be delay of some days in selecting a
successor to Admiral Howison should the
court, acting upon Schley's probable chal-
lenge, decide that he is not competent to
sit. there will then be an opportunity to
examine prcliminarily these belated wit
nesses. That Admiral Howison will be
challenged there is now practically no
doubt.
1t is said that since the publication of
the Boston Record interview other evil
dence has come into the possession of
ADMIRAL Schley and his counsel to the
effect that Admiral Howison has at other
times expressed himself as a Sampson
partisan. which will give added ground
for challenge.
There still remains no official statement
10 the effect that Admiral Sampson will
attend the sittings of the court for the
purpose of giving his testimony, but for
the past few days the impression has
been gaining ground that he will be here.
The best authenticated reports from Lake
Sunapee, where he is now staying, indi-
cate that his health is improving: that he
is anxious to appear, and that unless
something now unforeseen arises he Will
take the witness stand.
The following statement regarding Ad-
miral Simpsons health is from George III.
Dana, who is with the Sampson party at
Sunapee Lake, and is as follows:
THE rear admiral arrived at the
Burkehaven Hotel on August p. He has
not been secluded from the public for
day, has been present at every meal at
the public table, has had no medical at,
tendance whatever, has received no call
from Secretary Hay or the Postmaster
General, has been on the lake or driving
several hours every day since his ar
rival, has improved wonderfully IN heaith,
and sits the hotel veranda, smoking
a cigar and conversing pleasantly with
The patrons of the house, day and evening.
He has refused to be interviewed by
reporters which. l presume, is the cause
of such statements as appeared in the
Brooklyn Eagle and in the New nork
Herald of Sunday last.
Acting Secretary Itackett has received
syth, explaining the circumstances OF his
alleged interview, published about ten
days ago, in which Captain Forsyth was
quoted as making certain remarks in re-
gard to the Sampson -Schley controversy.
Captain Forsyth declares that he did not
give the interview attributed to him TO |
the reporter who sought to have him talk |
upon the subject
The text of the letter was not made |
public by Mr.. Hackett, but the statement !
was made that Captain Forsyth. while !
coming East, was detained over Sunday |
at Kansas City, Mo. There a reporter |
sought 10 interview him, but it is stated. |
as the captain explains in his letter to the /
department.. that he declined to talk with /
the newspaper representative Captain |
FORSYTH then goes on to say that he had /
4 conversation of a private character with /
some person at the hotel where he was |
81 topping with no idea that what he said 1
would be repeated. His remarks, he says. |
were distorted and used to form the sub |
stance of the alleged interview.
Captain Forsyth makes this disclaimer /
TO the Acting Secretary. and also ex- /
presses his deep regret at any indiscre |
lion in the premises. He does not, ac-
cOrding to the statement made by Mr.. |
Hackett. deny the remarks attributed to /
him, but declares that he was not prop |
srly quoted. and that he did not know |
hat what he said would be published.
In view of the circumstances set forth
Dy Captain Forsyth in his letter. the
Navy Department is satisfied that there
was no intention on his part to violate
he order of the department TO refrain
rom public utterances. No action win
% inform Captain Forsyth that his eX-
Ia ig