The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-07-26
INTO HIS CONDUCT DURING THE
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
COURT OF INQUIRY GRANTED
Tne Admiral's Letter to the Secretary
OF the Navy-The Secretary's Reply,
approving of His present Course.
The Members OF the Court to he
Named Today Admiral Sampson
Says the Whole Thing is Inspired by
Malice.

Washington, July 24.-Secretary Long
| this morning received a letter from
Rear Admiral Schley, calling attention
| to the criticisms against him which are
contained in Maclay's history Of the
navy and the inuendoes which have ap-
peared in the press for several days
and stating that. in his opinion, the
time had now come to take such action
as would bring the entire matter un-
der the clear and calm review of his
brothers in arms
| He asked that the department take
such action IS was deemed best to ac-
| complish this purpose. He also re-
| quested that whatever action be taken
should occur in Washington where his
papers and data are stored
The secretary Immediately decided to
comply with Admiral Schley's request
| and dictated a letter to the rear ad-
mlral, saying that under the circum-
| stances he heartily approved Of his ac-
ton and that the department would
| proceed at once in accordance with his
request
Admiral Schley's letter is as follows:
Great Neck, L. l., July %, 1901.
| Slr:-Wlthin the past few days a.
| series OF press comments have been
sent 10 me from various parts of the
country of book entitled The History
| OF the Navy written by one Edgar
Stanton Maclay. From these reviews
1t appears that this edition is a third
volume Of the said history, extended to
include the late war with Spain, which
| the two first volumes did not contain.
| and were In use as text books at the
naval academy.
| Y. From excerpts quoted in some
| reviews in which the pages and para
| graph are given. there is such perver-
| sion of facts, misconstruction of inten-
| ton, such lntemperature abuse and de-
| famation Of myself which subjects Mr..
| Maclay to action in civil law. While
admit the right Of fair criticism Of
| every public officer, I must protest
| against the low filings and abusive Ian
| guage of This violent partisan oppo-
| nent, who has infused into the pages OF
| his book so much of the malice of un-
| fairness as to make it unwortNN the
| name of history, or of use in any repu
table institution Of the country.
| '3 l nave refrained, heretofore,
| from all comment upon the inuendoes
| Of enemies muttered or murlnured in
| secret and, therefore with safety to
| themselves. l think the time has now
| come to take such action as may bring
| this entire matter under discussion un-
| der the clearer and calmer review of
J my brothers in arms. and to this end
| ask such action at the hands of the
| department as it may deem best to ac-
| complish this purpose.
a. But / would express the request
| IN fIot hot he
action may be that it occur in Wash
| lngton where most of my papers and
| data are stored.
Very respectfully,
w. S. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral L. S. NJ
ITO Secretary Of the Navy,
Washington, D. c.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
Schley as follows:
Navy Department,
Washington, July "a, 1901.
"Sir:-I am in receipt Of yours Of the
22nd instant, with reference to the crit
| icisms upon you in connection with the
| Spanish-American war, and heartily
approve If your action under the cir
| cumstances, in asking at the hands OF
this department such action as may
bring this entire matter under discus
sion under the clearer and calmer re-
view Of my brothers in arms
The department will at once pro-
ceed, in accordance with your request
| Very respectfully,
| JOHN D. LONG.
ITO Rear Admiral W. S. Schley,
U. S. N"
Secretary Long acted without con.
sultation Of any one and without com
municating the request of Admiral
Schley to the president. He then called
into his office Rear Admiral Crownin-
shield and Captain Cowles, chief and
assistant chief, respectively, Of the bu.
reau Of navigation and also Judge Ad.
vocate General Lemly who has charge
of formalities Of naval courts. Ht
also sent for Admiral Dewey. Al
/ though Rear Admiral Schley did no
ask specifically for a court Of inquiry
but left the action to be taken to thu
| judgement Of the department, the sec
retary decided that such a court woult
be the best means of making the in
vestigation which the rear admiral hat
requested, and the three bureau officer
were called in for the purpose OF dis
cussing the mode of procedure in sucl
| cases.
After mis- conference with Admira
Dewey, who had responded immediate
ly to the secretary's request for an in
terview, the secretary said that he ha'
not had time to decide upon the com
position of the court, but in respons
TO a question as to whether Adnlira
Dewey would serve upon such court
If requested 10 do so. the secretar
said: Admiral Dewey will do hi
, duty"
Although no positive declaration ha
been given on :his point, 1t is assume
about the navy department that Ad
; | miral Dewey will be president Of tn
court which Will inquire into the Who'll
. | controversy concerning Rear Admirs
Schley's action during this SPANS
] war. There also is an impression tina
the other two members of the cour
: will be retir ed naval officers. or at leas
officers who had no connection with tn