Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-08-31
HONI@QNl IREIA|NED
Interview Regarding Santiago Cam
paign Attributed to Him is
. Not Authentic. s: al $*
Letter in which He Says He cany Sit
.Impartially as a Member Of the
schley Court. Nj s,&s
Acting Secretary Of the Navy, Hack
h: EFT Decides to Retain Him ss3
(: N Z on the Board. $$si " p IA h

.l1t&Et tt GU DES1QSS TO NSIalu 111ul 3Ey&2 y
IN N on the Board. $ 5%5 rs ri
Ii Washington, Aug. 81 1.----Acting ISecre-
tary Hackett has made public a letter
received from Admiral Howison dated
Yonkers, N. Y, Aug. "a, denying au-
thenticity Of the interview attributed
to him in which he is made: to cpn-s
ment adversely on Admiral g. Schley.
The. acting secretary has, therefore,
continued Admiral Howison as mem
Der of the Schley court Of inquiry,
leaving the court itself to determine
any further question as to his compe-
ztency. Admiral Howison1s letter is as
follows: 0 v / r 735 ;3S ~ :ss'. -. < .
fs5 see that I am thought objectiona-'
bic to the Schley court Of inquiry in
being thought to have expressed opin-
ions on the conduct of the battle Of
Santiago while serving as comman-
dant Of the Boston navyyard shortly
after the result of that battle was
known. / believe the secretary knows
that L did not attempt TO- make public;
speeches, writing for magazines or
newspapers, or make public utter
ances On navy or other public subjects.
IT has been impossible for me to avoid
the visits and questions OF representa-
tives OF newspapers while serving at.
naval stations at a time when the navy
was SO busily employed ... s ,t:ls,., Il : /.
! 5.5$$s .z$s Denies The Record Interview.
saa.'rWhen; the news OF our naval sue
cess at Manila and Santiago reached
there the people of Boston were not
beyond the rest Of the country in
giving praise to the men and com.
mand chief OF the fleets. III 1t is
the custom in the navy that praise for.
the success of an engagement goes to
the command er-in-chie ief censure for
failure also goes to him. It 8is said
that made a comparison between
$Schiey and Sampson, t1nfaNorable to
sSchley. The word respected as used
by the reporter, Isl sell dom or never
used by naval men in comparing the
qualities possessed by officers, and I
am. sure could never have said this,
as he reports, nor said that Schley had
the reputation Of being nervous and
hotheaded in the naval academy.
have no recollection Of the gen
tleman representing the Boston Rec,
ord and i do not approve 5Of his public
statement as mine cannot say that
fl have not discussed ith acquaint-
ances matters pub lished in the news
papers relating to our navy IS success
as well as the nfortunate dispute SO
widely carried on. ,is
From the papers Ut appears that
Admiral Schley has strong doubts Of
my fitness to fairly judge this case,
with Admirals Dewey and Benham.
AS it$ is a case Of grave Importance to
those concerned and to the country, I
am desirous Of giVing 6 my time to help
clear away the trouble. n #$:5 Isl.
Believes He Can Act lrnpartially.
sThe personal opinions OF members
|of courtmartials or courts Of inquiry
are not. sought nor Id desired BY officers:
While I feel deeply honored at the Sc
lection Of myself for this duty, It is;
anything but pleasant task to sit in
Judgment on fellow officers. However,
the honor Of selection nor the nnpleas-
antness Of official duties do not enter.
into the matter. am writing 80 say
to you PERSONAL three thing m
First 70 assure you that am not
responsible for nor did u dictate such
Fan Interview as alleged In the dis
|patches from Boston and stated In the
to have been Smenti toned
ny Admiral Schley in a recent letter
to the departmen
|ES Second III, however, sS$ the depart
[ment feels that the cause of the navy
and of Justice vii be better served by!
relieving me OF on the ourt ,SI
am entirely ready to wi draw yoluI,-
tarily sor to- have the depa artme Re- re-
Ieve me upon It's own Initial I've.
sB Third q Id the other hand, the
department Knowing all the circ,lml- g
stances. desires that perform the,
duty. 4 am entirely read dy to perform IT
and can lpon my conse ience and oath,
do my duty as a member OF the court
without partiality as5 the law3 re. rs-.
Iquires. ' II
WILL De cou & TAiARTlALED.
Any Naval offiser Who Asserts schicy
ls 4 Coward. !. .a
NeW York, Assig. 81 rairal John
IC. Watson isS quoted Ia The World AS
having said iii the course of b private
conversation in Nashing gton
SsssIIf any naval officer asserts that Ad.
lmiral Schley Is ii coward and the fact
comes to my knoWled dge Il will see that,
the delinquent has q chance to yindi-
cate his opinion before q conrtmartiai.
| i Will prefer charges against such an
offender myself. 1.
The remarks. according 10 The
World, s correspond ient, were brought
out as q result Of the retailing of
some Of the charges brought against
Rear Admiral Schley
Watson cont ttnued al fol lows his
Iquiet but fore ible remarks.
aar Gf Schley's record with eowardice.