The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-30
The Rear Admiral Repudiates the
Boston Interview.

account MI racket WOllN not until 10
day say anything about it. He has beer
advised by Admiral HowIson of his will
ingness TO have the communication pub
lshed.
Admiral Howison does not deny that n,
has talked upon the subject Of the San
tiago victory. but he says he is sure h,
could not have said that Schiey was ner.
vous and hot-headed AS a general prop
osition he declares that where an dc
their duties first honors tor success go tC
the officer in chief command"
He says that he is willing 20 withdraw
from the Court Of Enquiry if the depart
ment feels tnat the course of justice
could be better served by his so doing
but that he is ready 10 perform his duty
as member Of the Court, and that he
can act without partiality."
Mr.. Hackett has taken Admiral Howl
sons letter to mean that there was nc
foundation for the alleged interview and
therefore, assures him that the depart
ment has no desire TO relieve him from
serving on the Court.
In view Of the correspondence the mat
ter is considered as settled until In,
Court meets.
What action Admiral SchIcy and hi.
counsel Will then take is a matter Of con
lecture. They may decide to make ob.
lection tn Admiral Howison or they may
allow him TO sit without making any pro.
test
Admiral Howison's letter is as follows
lPersonal.l
- Ashburton Avenue.
''YcnkerS. y Y. Aug. a 1901
Dear Sir: ] have just returned to
my home after short visit TO Sar-
atOga and Lake George
owing 10 ray detail as a member Of
the Court OF Enquiry. ordered tC. meet
on September J. next I md that
many newspapers are giving me cred
u Tor having served my country, in
the United States Navy, for nearly
nan a century with honor.
! see also that / am thought 10 be
objectionable as a member Of this
Court OF Enquiry. II being stated that
j publicly expressed opinions on the
conduct Of the battle OF Santiago.
while serving as commandant at the
Boston Navy Yard, shortly after the
result OF that engagement was known.
i believe the service knows. as L
60, that ] do not attempt 10 make pub
lie speeches, write for magazines or
papers or make public utterauces on
navy or other subjects.
1t has been impossible for ME TO
dFolu the visits and questions Of rep
resentatiYeS Of newspapers while SerV-
Ing at important stations and at times
when the navy has been SO busily en-
Ploycd
AT Mare Island. during my long ser
vice there. particularly during the
great railroad strike, the papers con-
tanned many statements. said to have
been obtained in my office; most. il
not an OF these reports were harmless.
readable articles on the operations of
Tifrr rr1r
order.
During my TWO years service at
the Boston station, there was seldom
day passed without receiving visits
from the representatives Of the several
Boslon papers. and during the Span
lsh-American war. the navy yard there
was seldom without newspaper re-
I found them TO be polite and GEN
uemanly, at all times. and whatever
lnformation or news I could reasona-
bly, impart ! gave them.
nave often interpreted 10 num-
Der Of them. the laws and reguIstions
ior the navy. by attempting 10 answer
their numerous questions relating To
the duties and responsibilities Of the
several grades Of officers throughout
heet Of vessels. from the command
the crew
When the news Of our navv.s sue
cess AZ Manila and again at Santiago
reached Boston, the people there were
not behind the rest Of the United
States in giving honor and praise TO
lIle navy ana 10 the comma uG r5-iu-
chief Of the fleets.
The enthusiasm Of the population in
praise and honor for the officers and
men engaged AT Santiago lasted for
some time until later when the troub-
les commenced as to. where the credit
and hOnOTs should 90 for the success
q TINS Engagement
1t is no news Co the navy 10 say
that where all DO their duties. the first
ho0ors FOR success 60 90 the officer in
chief command Ceusure for faiIure
also belongs C. him.
This newspaper cutting I'm question.
contains a statement in vhich II IS said
th#l I made comparison between
Schley and Sampson. uufavorabIe TO
SChiey.
The word respected as used by the
reporter. 'z seldom or never employed
by navy men ll comparing the quali-
ueS possessed hy officers. and ] am
sure could never have said this as ne
reports. nor said that SchIey had the
Dut-tlgn % being nervous and hot
headed I'm the Naval AcaGDmv
'onc may say an officer stands high
er iu hls class. if true another may
stand higher lU scientific atfliumGurg-
while another .s DISTINGUISHED for en-
inCut diplomatic and social qualities
while all under discussion are OF good
standing and proficient il their ueccs-
sary professional calling
Il have no recollection Of the gentle
man representing the Boston Record
and ] do not approve or his public
statement as mine
Il cannot say that / have not dis
Cussed with acguaiutauccs matters
published IN the newspapers relating
10 our navy s. success as wei as the
unfortunate disputes so widely com
nented on.
There are few or no persons in the
navy or I'm our country who have not
daily discussed these newspaper arti-
cles.
From the papers IL appears that
Admira' SchlCy has strong doubts as
TO my fitness To fairly Judge this case
with AdmiTals Dewey and Eeuham
"As 81 is "a case Of grave importance
20 those concerned and 10 the coun-
try, / am desirous Of EivinE my little
help 70 clear away the troubles
The duties Of members Of courts
martial and courts of enquiry are not
EOuEht OF d, sired Ev officer
while ] feel highly hOnOred by the
departments selection Of myself for
this duty. IL is anything bat a pleasant
task 20 sit in judgment on brother off,
GERS.
However. the honor % the selection
nor the unpleaSdurucSS Of court du-
ties do not enter into the reasons for
my now writing 10 say 20 you, person
ally, three things. namely
q To rcassurc YOU that / am not
responsible for and did NOT give out
Labor Day.
tf d