Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-19
COURT OF INQUIRY
It Will Be Held in the New Gun
Shop at the Navy Yard.
SCHLEY AND COUNSEL CONFER
Latter Asks the Navy Department
for List of Witnesses.
JUDGE ADVOCATE TO ACT

JUDGE ADVOCATE TO ACT
Admiral Schley, Mr. Wilson, Attorney
General Rayner and Captain Parker, his
| counsel, met in Mr. Wilson's apartments
at the Shoreham shortly before IL o'clock
| this morning and remained in conference
over an hour. When the gentlemen came
down at the conclusion of their delibera-
tions none of them had anything to say on
the subject of their discussion. Mr.. Will
son, Mr. Rayner and Captain Parker en-
tered a carriage and were driven to the
Navy Department. Admiral Schley was
stopped for a few minutes by group of
newspaper men when he was about to walk
over to his apartments at the Arlington.
mot thing to say; not a thing to say"
| was his smiling reply to all inquiries about
| the nature Of their conference. This is
no time to say anything. Why don't you
gentlemen let the whole subject drop un-
til September 1927
Some one remarked that the ancient
Sphinx would be a good running mate for
the modern Schley and some one else re-
marked that the weather was warm.
Admiral schiey's Weather Story.
"You should have been in Buenos Ayres
with me-" remarked the admiral, 'if you
wanted to experience real hot weather.
When I was last there the thermometer
was over 100 day and night for twenty-one
days. The north wind, which is the hot
wind below the equator, blew nearly all the
time. Horses dropped dead in the streets
and so did people. The bubonic plague
| was prevalent there at that time, and many
persons thought the fatalities from the
heat were due to some mysterious form OF
the plague. Consequently there was colos-
sal terror on all sides. 1 never saw any
thing like It."
1t didn't seem to be SO hot In the vicinity
Of the Shoreham after that recital, and
with an exchange of salutations Admiral
Schley and the reporters separated
Inquiry at Navy Yard.
A decision in the matter of change Of
venue in the case Of the Schley court Of
inquiry was reached by Mr.. Hackett, act
ing secretary of the navy, today, when the
gunners' workshop at the Washington
navy yard was selected as the place for
holding the sessions of the court. This ac-
ton was taken by the Navy Department
for the reason that the ante room of the
Office of the Secretary of the department..
first selected as the place for holding the
inquiry, was found to be too small Tor &C,
commodating all concerned. 1t is expected
that there will be a great demand for seats
by persons interested in the sessions of the
court, and for this reason it was found
necessary to select quarters of greater ca
pacity than those first chosen.
The gunners' workshop at the navy yard
Is an entirely new building. It has never
been occupied. 1t is situated in the north
western section of the yard, near the Off
GERS quarters, and in point of convenience
for those who will attend the sessions of
the court no better building could have
been selected. The gunners' workshop at
fords ample room for all requirements. 1t
is 200 feet long by GO feet wide. and the
second floor of the structure, which will be
occupied by the court in holding it's ses-
sions, is free of partitions or other obstruc-
tions. thus affording clear space of large
area.
Judge Advocate and Witnesses.
The Navy Department, in regard to the
reiterated statement that Admiral Schley's
counsel have demanded list of the wit
nesses which have been selected to testify
before the court of inquiry, announces that
1t has absolutely nothing to do with this
subject. The matter Of the preparation of
list of these witnesses devolves upon the
Judge advocate of the court of inquiry.
Captain LemIy, who has exclusive charge
of the subject. Although Captain Lemly
is the judge advocate general of the navy
the department has little official knowledge
of his action in regard to preparation for
the sessions of the court, for the reason
that the whole subject has been turned
over to the court and the department takes
no official action In the matter until the
report of it's decision is submitted. AS a
matter of fact, no complete list Of wit
nesses has been prepared by Captain Lem
ly, and will not be until he returns to the
city. He Is expected to be here next Mon
day.
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Rayner after leav-
ing the Shoreham made call upon Mr.
Hackett, acting secretary Of the navy,
today for the purpose of asking for
list Of the witnesses to be summoned be-
fore the court Of inquiry. Their visit was
of rather an informal character. Mr.. Will
son and Mr.. Hackett are old-time personal
friends.
In answer to questions Mr.. Hackett told
the attorneys that the department had
no prepared list of witnesses Mr. Hack
ett stated that the business of preparing
list was in the hands of Captain Lemly,
judge advocate Of the court who, it was
stated is now in Canada Mr. Hackett in
formed the attorneys that they might
either write formal letter to the depart
ment asking for the list, which letter
would be forwarded to the judge advocate,
or await his return on Monday next and
apply to him at his Office in the Navy
Department.
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Rayner intimated
that they would file letter with the de-
partment formally, asking for the list.
This letter Will be forwarded at once to
Captain Lemly for a reply.
Admiral Cevera's Position.
The Philadelphia North American pub
liehed a cablegram from Admiral Pasuuel
Cervera this morning It is self-explana-
tory, as follows
'I note the receipt of your cablegram, to
which 1 have already replied by way Of
vichy.
II ought not and do not wish to interfere
in the controversy between Sampson and
Schley.
"You will understand the delicate situa-
ton in which find myself in this matter
/ could intervene only by the express order
Of my government, and I feel that any in
tervention on my part would avail but lit
tie. II at all. In this connection would
call your attention to the service rule gov
erning the case"
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS.