The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-08-31
DENIED BY HOWISON.
4DMIRAL TO CONTINUE MEMBER
 OF COURT OF INQUIRY.

|
 lished Interview Purporting to Give | His Views on the Santiago Naval Cam | paign Made Public-A Long Personal Explanation.
 I Washington, Aug. 3O.-Acting Secre- | tary Hackett made public this after | noon letter received from Rear Ad- miral Howison, dated at Yonkers, N. r., August "A, denying the authenticity of the interview attributed to him, in which he is made to comment adversely on Rear Admiral Schley's course in the Santiago naval campaign. The acting | secretary has, therefore. continued Rear Admiral Howison as member of the Schley court of inquiry, leaving the court itself to determine any fur
 ther question as to his competency. Admiral Howison consented to have his personal letter given to the public. A copy has been sent to Admiral Schley. The correspondence is as fol- lows:
 (Personal)
 72 Ashburton Avenue, Yonkers, N. Y, August "A, 1901:
 Dear sir: have just returned to my
 home after a short visit to Saratoga
 and Lake George. Owing to my detail
 as a member of the court of inquiry
 ordered to meet on September 12, next, I find that many newspapers are giv-
 ing me credit for having served my country in the United States navy for nearly half century with honor l see also that I am thought to be ob
 jectionable as a member of this court of inquiry, it being stated that public ly expressed opinions on the subject 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 I do, that do not attempt to make public speeches, write for magazines or pa pers, or make public utterance on navy or other subjects. It has been impossi- ble for me to avoid the visits and ques- tions of representatives of newspapers while serving at important stations and at times when the navy has been so busily employed. At Mare Island, during my long service there, particu- larly during the great railroad strike, the papers contained many statements, said to have been obtained in my office, most, if not all of these reports were harmless, readable articles on the oper- atlons of the several naval detach- ments serving for the preservation of law and order. During my two years service at the Boston station there was seldom day passed without receiving visits from the representatives of the several Boston newspapers. and during the Spanish American war the navy yard there was seldom without news paper reporters. I found them to be polite and gentlemanly at all times. and whatever information or news I could reasonably impart I gave them.
 have often interpreted to number of them the laws and regulations for the navy by attempting to answer their questions relating to the duties and responsibilities of the sever al grades of officers throughout fleet of vessels from the commander-in- chief to the lowest rate among the crew.
 When the news of the navys suc- cess at 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 the navy and the commanders-in-ch If 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 troubles commenced as to where he credit and honors should go for | the success of this engagement.
 It is no news to the navy to say that | where all do their duties, the first hon | ITS for success go to the officer in chief | command. Censure for failure also be- | ongs to him.
 This newspaper cutting in question | contains a statement in which it is said | hat I made comparison between | schley and Sampson, unfavorabe to | ,chley, The word respected" as used | ,y the reporter, is seldom or every em- | ,loyed by navy men in comparing the | qualities possessed by officers, and | lm sure I could never have said this | IS he reports nor said that Schley had | he reputation of being nervous and in the naval academy. One ! nav say an officer stands higher in his | lass. if true; another may stand high IF in scientific attainments, while | mother may be distinguished for emil ,ent diplomatic and social qualities, while all under discussion are of good | tanding and proficient in their neces- ary professional calling.
 I have no recollection of the gentle nan. representing the Boston Record, md I do not approve of his public | tatement as mine. I cannot say that |
 have not discussed with acquaint- noes matters published in the news | ,apers relating to our navy's success, $ we'll as the unfortunate disputes NJ O widely commented on. There are Il CIV or no persons in the navy or In our ountry who have not daily discussed hese newspaper articles.
 From the papers it appears that Ad- niral Schley has strong doubts as to nv fitness to fairly judge this case with .dmirals Dewey and Benham. AS 1t , of grave importance to those con- erned and to the country, I am desir- us of giving my little help to clear way the troubles. The duties of M lembers of courts martials and courts lj f inquiry are not sought or desired by ficers While I feel highly honored lB V the departments selection of my elf for this duty, 1t is anything but a leasant task to sit Tn ruderent on " rother officers However, the honor f the selection or the unpleasantness