The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-12
Conference Yesterday Between Rear
Admiral SchIey's Attorneys and
Friendly Witnesses.
NAVAL INQUIRY SENSATION
CHARGES AND COUNTER CHARGES
INVESTIGATED AT BROOKLYN.
Major Lauchheimer and Colonel Den-
nv Exouerated and Colonel Meade
to BE Tried by COurt-MartiaI.

WASHINGTON. Sept 11.-All the men,
bers of the Schley court of inquiry are
now in Washington. Rear Admiral Howl
son. the third member, arriving last night
Rear Admiral Howison was extremely
guarded in answering inquiries respecting
the court of inquiry. He said 1T would not
be proper to say anything for publication
in advance of the meeting Of the court as
to his intentions probable line of ac-
ton of the court 1t was evident. howev-
er that he has not in any degree altered
his resolution to serve as member of
the court if the other members accept his
own view as to his qualifications.
Everything is ready for The meeting of
the court The impression at the Navy De
partment now is that the taking of testi-
mony will not begin tomorrow, although
that was the original expecta ton. a large
number of witnesses are IN Washington
ready to take the stand at moments no.
tlce, but formalities are expected to con-
sumo most of to-morrow's session, which,
after all. is likely to be short. owing to the
late hour of beginning. No; summons was
yet been issued for Admiral Sampson, and
ii is said very few formal summons have
been issued by the department. Although
positive statement that point is
made. it is gathered from :he attitude of
the government officers tha: they have no
present intention of calling Admiral Samp-
son.
While observing all the forms that are
necessary to maintain the dignity of the
court there is no disposition on the part
of it's members to magnify its Importance
by useless ceremony. Therefore, there will
be no waste of gunpowder lin salutes nor
will the marines be turned out in state at
the navy yard as the three admirals make
their way TO and from the building where
the court will meet. Tomorrow they will
go to the yard in plain clothing, and thus
relieve the commandant of the necessity of
ordering an official salute. in the commo-
dious retiring room adjacent to the court
room provided for their accommodation
they will array themselves in what is
known as the naval dress uniform. This
is not what is known as special full dress,
but is very nearly such, the main differ
ence consisting in the elimination of the
cooked hat. Instead, Admiral Dewey and
his fellow members will wear simple naval
caps, although in the case of foreign Off
GERS of their rank the cap is almost in
cruSted with gold, save on top. They will
wear the naval frOck coat and gold epau-
lettes and the service sword After the
first day this uniform will give place to
the easier though less impressive naval un-
dress uniform divested i'm large part of the
heavy gold trimming of dress suit and
even permitting the wearing of a comforta-
BILE blouse
the court will be seated Admiral Dewey
at the center of the table placed crosswise
of the room with Rear Admiral Benham
on his right and Rear Admiral HOwison on
his left The witnesses viii stand at the
left end of the table next the official
stenOgrapher and the judge advocate
III
his associate in the case, will occupy the
other end of the table. a place has been
reserved for Mr.. StaytOn, who is TO repre-
sent certain naval officers not officiall.-
named as vet He will not be recognized as
counsel by the court, however, until some
of his clients are involved i'm the case Ivy
the testimony. The judge advocate first
will address the court and read the pre-
cept under which it is convened. The next
step will. be the recognition of counsel by
the court and Capt. Lemley then will in
troduce Mr.. Hulz as the official stem
Next will come the most Interesting part
of the days proceedings, namely. the
challenging by Admiral Schley's counsel of
the competency of Rear Admiral HOwfsOn
as a member of the court. They will
reiterate the charge that Admiral Howison
had expressed an opinion adverse to Ad-
miral Schley and it will be- the object OF
counsel to support this charge by affidavits
and perhaps by oral testimony lit - for
the court TO say whether such testimony
shall be admitted The expectation is thar
a
/ ment by counsel directed 10 the two mem
hers of the court whose competency is not
/ questioned. Admirals Dewey and Benham
will retire and determine whether or nor
the statements presented are sufficient 10
make manifest the incOmpetency of Rear
| Admiral HowsOn. There Will be no apDaal
| from the decision of the court on this point
| Even the secretary OF the Eavy could nor
undo its work. Capt. Francis A. Cook. who
| commanded the Brooklyn during the West
! Indian campaign, probably will be the FIRST
witness.
The headquarters Of Admiral Schlev was
/ a scene Of activity to-day. Up to noon FIVE
| of the witnesses named by the admiral had
| heen in consultation with Messrs Wilson
and Rayner and had informed them of the
line of testimony which can be expecfed
from them when called before the court
] They were Lieut.. Edward w EberIe
| Lieut. Albert A. Ackermaa. Lieut. Johnson
and Lieut.. Commander r. F. Nicholson
! all OF whom were on the Oregon during the
| Santiago sea fight (the last named being
| the executive officer of the vessel during
the battle) and Lieut.. Charles Webster
/ who was on Admiral Schley;s ffagshfn the
! Brooklyn during the fight. number of
| civilian tnesses also were cIoseted with
| the counsel during the morning but their
names were not disclosed
This afternoon additional witnesses ar
I rived and Admiral Schley and his counsel
say they are in complete resdiness for the