Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-09-13
'HOWlSON DISQUALIFIED
Proceeding of Court of Inquiry Ter
inmate Abruptly.

Washington, Sept. 13.--Within three
hours from the time OF convening the
Schley court OF inquiry yesterday II
was announced that Rear Admiral
Howison was disqualified from serv-
ING as a. member of the court and was
excused from further duty. his
brought proceedings to an abrupt ter
mination and caused a temporary adj
iournment of the court in order to
permit the navy department to deslg-
nate an officer to succeed Admiral
Howison. No further session is PROB
able until the first of next week.
1t had been expected that little Of
fetal business would be accomplished
on the opening day, and the prompt
decision as to Admiral Howison came
somewhat as surprise.
The first skirmish was opened by
Admiral Schley rising from his seat
and speaking in a strong voice, calmly
and deliberately, challenging Admiral
Howison's eligibility as member OF
the court. Three witnesses were
brought forward in support OF tins
challenge, namely, Francis >. Frost,
William f. Spon and Foster Nichols.
They gave very positive testimony as
to expressions they had heard Admir-
al Howison make favorable to Adj
niral Sampson and unfavorable to
Admiral Schley. Mr.. Frost testified
to a statement Admiral Howison had
made to him at Boston while the wit
ness was seeking news as reporter,
Mr.. Spon to remarks made while ne
and the admiral We're journeylng back
to this country from Europe on
transatlantic steamer, and Mr.. Nlch-
oils to a conversation occurring dur
ing business call at Admiral Howl
sons private residence at 1onkers, \.
Y.
On concluding this testimony. the.
question arose whether Admiral How
ison would join issue with the state
ments made by the witnesses, or
would rest on his privilege to with
hold any answer until he chose to
submit it. The admiral met the issue
bv turning at once to Admiral Dewey
and announcing that he would make a
writ of rejoinder to the statements
of the three witnesses. This re-
joinder he prepared very speedily.
While conceding the accuracy OF some
points in the evidence. it threw con-
siderable doubt on other points and
dsclaimed any recollection of the
talks said to have taken place on the
transatlantic steamer.
It was not sufficient, however, to
counteract the very direct testimony
given by the three witnesses, and
moreover. the admiral himself, in con-
GLIDING his statement, Indicated plain
w that he had no desire to remain on
the court. and was there simply in
obedience to orders. He even APP
pealed to his assistants on the court
to decide all doubtful questions as to
his eligibility in favor Of Amiral
Schley.
Before submitting the challenge to
the determination of the court. Mr..
Raynor cross examined Admiral How
ison very infinitely as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
| and Admiral Schley, and developed
that Admiral Howison had expressed
certain definite convictions as to Adj
miral SIMPSONS retention Of author
ity and responsibility, even while he
was absent temporarily from the fleet
at Santiago.
The challenge then was submitted
to the court, which, under the cir
cumstances, was narrowed to Admir-
al Dewey and Rear Admiral Benham
to pass upon After hardly more than
| fifteen minutes spent in retirement to
| the consultation room of the court,
Admiral Dewey briefly announced that
the court sustained the challenge and
that Admiral Howison would be eN-
cused from further attendance.