Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-07-25
ADMIRAL SCHLEY
FOR COURT OF INQUIRY
Department Will Act Favora-
bly, Upon Request.
DEWEY MAY BE AT HEAD

VIII Undoubtedly BE One of the Most
Celebrated Investigations In the
Naval or Military History of the
Country.
WASHINGTON, July "a. - Secretary
Long has received letter from Admiral
Schley asking for court of inquiry.
In this letter to the secretary Admiral
Schley does not specify anv of the nriti-
| cisms to which he takes exceptions, but
asks i'll view of the statements and in
nuendoes and abusive language con-
tanned i'll Maclay's history, which he
says he does not consider worthy of use
IN any college in the country, that
court Of inquiry of "the entire matter"
be held. lie also asks that the court
shall sit i'll Washington, where his pa
pers are stored.
Secretary Long has replied to the let
ter, saying that under the circumstances
he heartily approves of Admiral Schley's S
course and that the department will
act favorably upon his request. 1t
is stated that Admiral Dewey will
undoubtedly be the head of the
court of inquiry The other mem
| bers of the court have not yet been dc.
cided upon. 1t is not the intention OF
Secretary Long TO have the court con-
vened at once, but to wait until the
weather becomes cooler.
Admiral Schley's Letter.
GREAT NECK, L. l., July 90.
To the Secretary of the Navy, Wash
ington:
"SIR-Within the past few days Sc
ries of press comments have been sent
to me from various parts of the country
of book entitled 1.-The History of the
Navy" written by one Edward Stanton
Maclay. From the reviews it appears
that this edition is third volume of the
said history extended to include the last
war with Spain, which the two first
volumes did not contain, and were in
use as text books at the naval academy.
''From excerpts quoted in some re-
views, in which the page and paragraph
are given, such perversiOn of facts, mis-
construction of intention, such intem-
perate abuse and defamation of myself
subjects Mr.. Maclay to action in civil
law. While admit the right of fair
criticism of every public officer, must
protest against the low filings and abu-
sive language of this violent, partisan
opponent. who has infused into the
pages of his book so much of the malice
of unfairness as to make it unworthy of
the name of history or of use in any
reputable Institution of the country.
II have refrained heretofore from all
Ov1% l,n
mics muttered or murmured in secret,
and therefore with safety to themselves.
I think the time has now come to take
such action as may bring this entire
matter under discussion under the
clearer and calmer review of my broth
ers in arms, and to this end I ask such
action at the hands of the departments
as it may deem best to accomplish this
purpose.
"But l would express the request in
this connection that whatever action
may be taken may occur in Washington
where my papers and data are stored.
Respectfully,
''W. S. SCHLEY, Rear Admiral, u. S. N"
Secretary Longs Reply.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, july "a
To Rear Admiral Schley, u. S. N.
-''SIR-I am in receipt of yours of the
twenty second instant in reference to
the criticisms upon you in connection
with the Spanish American war and
heartily approve of your action under
the circumstances in asking at the
hands of this department such action as
may bring this entire matter under dis.
cussion under the clearer and calmer
review of my brothers. in. arms.
"The department. will at once proceed
in accordance with your request.
Every respectfully,
"JOHN ID. LONG"