New-York tribune., 1901-09-13
sCHLEY INQUIRY BEGINS.
PURPOSE TO WREST CREDIT FROM SAiP-
son NAVOWED-DRAMATIC SCENES
IN THE COURTROOM.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BUSE.l


Washington. Sept. 12.-Enough was devel-
ored at the opening to-day of the Schley court
Of inquiry TO warrant the statement that IN
ilss sharp quick tu1n is given to the future
rroceedings of the tribunal its scope will not be
clnaned TO the limits marked out in the speci-
fesdons of the NAVY Departments precept-
The beginning indicates the probability that the
neuiry into his official and military conduct as
The second ranking officer with the fleet that
actieved such a brilliant victory off Santiago de
Cuba, requested by Rear-Admiral Winfield Scott
schlev vip take broad sweep that Will bring
The entire American navy under most search-
ing light Through his counsel Admiral Schley
boldly proclaimed in the most public manner
possible his determination 10 take from Rear-
Admiral ". T Sampson the laurel wreath
awarded 10 that officer under the customs ana
regulations of the Navy Department as the reg
ulsr designated commander-in-chief OF the meet
which DESTROYED with one swift and terrible
blow spains ancient naval prestige ana mace
easier the remarkable victory of the land forces
under shafter.
Within three hours from the time Of convening
The court it was announced that Rear-Admiral
Howison was disqualified from serving as
member of the court and was excused from
further duty This brought proceedings to an
abrupt termination, and caused temporary ad-
0nrnment of the court in order to permit the
Navy Department to designate an officer to sue
eeed Admiral Howison No further session is
lrobable until the early part of next week
sCHLEY's DRAMATIC CHALLENGE.
The groundwork TO achieve the results oe-
sired by Admiral Schley so plainly iaid
al the opening session of the court that the
persons with authority TO speak for Admlral
Sampson promptly proclaimed that officers in
ientOn to be regularly represented by couhsel
st the further sittings OF the court, and his at
'orney W II. Stayton, Of New York announced
that it is not improbable that Admiral Sampson
Ell be put on the stand TO defend himself. But
even If Sampson himself should thus he brought
hce TO face with Schey, it is not thought the pro-
esedings Of the court would be any more dra-
matte fhanthey We're from the opening TO the close
q the first days session. Without hesitation or
regret other than was expressed in the most
FORMAL and conventional terms. Admiral Schley
REUSED willingly 10 submit his case TO the judg-
aisht OF court which had as of its MEM
A-fs lifelong friend in the naval service who
vas suspected of bias against him. He vigor-
04ss declared the reasons OF his objections
" hear-Admiral Henry Lycurgus Howison re-
"eo) sitting the court because he had been
"lo mat Admiral Howison had expressed him
VI as strongly convinced that the chief place
4 history for the Santiago victory should be
Nafeeo 10 Sampson for a number OF reasons.
s'"icipai among them being that Sampson was
* coinmander-in-chief, and that as the alle-
ss1oh ran. schley had been guilty of disobey-
- ORDERS IL was evident from the first that
A'sg would challenge Howison in the event
-" me other members OF the court ignored the
e1alht ofncialiy laid before them just as
pes mad made ii TO the Navy Department.
,' N spite Of the realization of this fact. the
A1i challenge, when made in open court was
as dramatic in effect as If il had come
surprise. When the majority of the court
s-a'hed the objection raised by schley and
- Howison 10 retire. the nerves of the spec
x..-, ungled with suppressed excitement
almost found audible expression.
ehEAT INTEREST IL THE CASE.
t,ri. crowd that attended the hearing was
81 only by the capacity Of the hall in which
to,s, nsia' and represented every phase of ma
NE, thus attesting the keen and wide
no. interest felt in the proceedings. For
1ian an hour before the proceedings be-