Evening star., 1901-09-11
THE SCHLEY INQUIRY
Everything Ready for the Nesting of
the Court.
ALL THE MEMBERS IN TIE CITY
Program of the Proceedings on
Assembling.
SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION

All the members of the Schley court OF
inquiry are now in Washington. Rear Ad-
mral III. l.. Howison, the third member
arriving last night and taking up his quar-
ters at the Ebbitt House. This morning
Rear Admiral Howison paid formal call,
as required by naval etiquet at Admiral
Dewey's house on Rhode Island avenue.
Admiral Dewey, however. did not come to
town today, but remained in his country
home. So Rear Admiral Howison went to
the Nevy Department and placed his name
upon the register, form required Dy the
regulations, but one more honored IN the
breach than in the observance by officers
of high rank He had called upon Acting
Secretary Hackett last night, and the cnly
other formal call required of him was to
visit the judge advocate general, Captain
Lemly, which he did.
Rear Admiral Howison was extremely
guarded in answering inquiries respecting
the court of inquiry. He said that 1t would
not be proper to say anything for publica-
tion in advance of the meeting of the court
as to his Intentions or the probable line OF
action OF the court. 1t was evident, how
ever that he has not in any degree altered
his resolution to serve as member OF that
court If the other members of the court
accept his own view as to his qualifications.
He adheres to the views set down In his
letter to Acting Secretary Hackett a few
weeks ago, that 1t Is the duty OF naval
officer to accept without question q call for
service upon a court of inquiry or court
martial. and although such duties were not
the sort promising pleasant occupation
they were not to be evaded by any act Of
the person whose service Is required. There
fore Rear Admiral Howison will by no act
of his tomorrow seek to escape duty on the
court of inquiry, and II he should not serve
1t Will be because Admiral Dewey and Rear
6Yr1ira IA ha ~ har mo hQr QQ1
that he Is disqualified to act as an impair
tial judge.
Everything Ready for the Court.
Everything Is ready for the meeting OF
the court. and Judge Advocate Lemly was
engaged this morning giving his final in
structions to the official stenographer OF
the court. Mr. Hulse. Special attention Is
to be devoted to the compilation OF the
court proceedings soon after the close OF
taking testimony each day, and the stem
ographer has undertaken to supply his rec
ords to the government printer in time to
have it printed and in the hands of the
court and counsel at the beginning of the
next days session.
The impression at the Navy Department
now is that the taking of testimony will
not begin tomorrow, although that was the
original expectation. Many witnesses are
now in Washington, ready to take the
stand at moments notice, but the for
malftieS of organization are expected to
consume most of tomorrow's session.
which, after all. is likely to be a short one
owing to the late hour of beginning.
Sampson Not Summoned.
No summons has yet been issued for Rear
Admiral Sampson. and it is said at the
Navy Department very few formal sum-
mons have been issued by the government
up to this time. Although no positive state
ment on that point Is made. 1t Is gathered
tba att nf ha nfH
GERS that they have present intention Of
calling Admiral Sampson as a witness, re-
lying for development of the facts within
his knowledge upon other witnesses who
were present at the various stages of the
campaign and the official records. This
attitude may be changed in the event that
Admiral Schley's counsel insist Admi-
raj SIMPSONS presence. but the officials
will not say what they have decided to do
In that case.
Examining Schley's Witnesses.
On the eve OF the day set for the opening
of the court of inquiry the headquarters Of
Admiral Schley are scene of great activity
Up to noon today five of the witnesses
named by the admiral had been In CONSUL
tation with Messrs. Wilson and Rayner.
and had provided them with the line of
testimony which can be expected from them
when called before the court. They were
Lieut.. Edward w. Eberle, Lieut.. Albert A.
Alderman. Lieut.. Johnston and Lieut..
Commander R. F. Nicholson, all OF whom
were on the Oregon during the Santiago
sea fight. The last named was the execu-
tive officer of the vessel during the battle.
Lieut.. Charles Webster was on Admiral
Schley's flagship, the Brooklyn, during the
fight and was also examined. A number Of
civilian witnesses were also closeted with
the counsel during the morning. but their
names were not disclosed.
Lieut.. Rufus L. Johnston was aid to the
signal officer on the Oregon: Lieut. Com
mander Reginald Nicholson was officer Of
the deck on the Oregon; Lieut. A. A. Ack-
erman. in charge of tho after eight and
thtrteen-inch turrets of the Oregon; Lieut.
E. w. Eberly, In charge Of the forward
thirteen-inch guns of the Oregon, and
Lieut.. Charles Webster, in charge Of the
thirteen-inch guns Of the BROOKLYN Mr.
Graham. who represented the Associated
Press on the Brooklyn during the battle,
and who will be witness, is expected here
this evening.
I'VE are ready TO go right on - said Mr.
Jere Wilson when seen by a Star reporter
today.
There is now no question that Rear Ad-
miral Howtson's eligibility to serve on the
court will be challenged in person by Ad-
miral Schley when he admiral Howison)
steps forward to be sworn as a member OF
the court: Admiral Schle@s objections will
be backed up by oral testimony which II
Is claimed by his counsel, will prove bias
on Admiral Howison's part unfavorable to
Admiral Schley. If the court sustains Ad-
niral Schiey then an adjournment will take
place until a new member may be chosen
But II. on the other hand, the court de-
cides that the testimony brought forward
on this point by Admiral Schley does not
establish bias on Admiral Howison's part,
the counsel Of Admiral Schley will have
oone all II can to prevent Admiral Howison
from serving.
More witnesses will be examined this az
ternoon. and by nightfall Admiral Schlev
and his counsel expect to be In compIetA
readiness for the opening of what will nm
doubtedly be one of the greatest naval
trials In history.
Useless Ceremony to BE Oraittea
While observing all the forms that ara
necessary to maintain the dignity OF the
court. there Is no disposition on the part
Of its members to try to magnify its i'm.
portance by useless ceremony. Therefore
there will be no waste Of gunpowder In
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
hall where the court Will meet Tomorrour
the members OF the court will 60 to the
yard In plain clothing. and thus relieve the
commandant OF the necessity Of ordering
an official salute. They will reach the haii
shortly after noon and In the commodious
retiring room adjacent to the court room
provided for their accommodation they will
array themselves In what Ia known q tha