The Washington times., 1901-08-31

Acting Secretary Hackett yesterda
made public the correspondence betwee
himself and Rear Admiral Howison upo
the subject of the latter's alleged intel
view published in the Boston Record,
in which he is alleged to have compare
Schley unfavorably with Sampson. Ad
miral Howison makes denial of the in
terview, but admits that he has mad
certain remarks concerning the victory q
Santiago. His letter is as follows:
tPersonal.I
~ Ashburton Avenue.
3 "Yonkers. n. Y, Aug. "A. 1901.
sDear Sir: j have just returned to
my home after short visit to Sar-
. atoga and Lake George.
Owing to my detail as a member of
the Court of Enquiry, ordered to meet
on September y next. I find that
many newspapers are giving me cred
it for having served my country, in
the United States Navy. for nearly
half a century with honor.
Il see also that l am thought to be
Objectionable as a member OF tins
Court of Enquiry, it being stated that
i publicly expressed opinions on the
conduct of the battle of Santiago.
while serving as commandant at the
Boston Navy Yard. shortly after the
result of that engagement was known.
81 believe the service knows. as |
do, that | do not attempt to make pub
lie speeches, write for magazines or
papers or make public utterances on
navy or other subjects.
1T has been impossible for me to
avoid the visits and questions of rep
resentatives OF newspapers while serv-
ing at important stations and at times
when the navy has been so busily en-
ployed.
eAt Mare Island. during my long ser
vie there, particularly during the
great railroad strike, the papers con-
tained many statements. said to have
been obtained in my office; most. If
not all of these reports were harmless,
readable articles on the operations of
the several naval detachments serv-
ing 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 representative of the several
Boston papers. and during the Span
ish-American war, the navy yard there
. was seldom without newspaper re-
porters.
Il found them to be polite and gen.
tlemanly. at ali times. and whatever
information or news / could reasona-
bly, impart. / gave them.
Il have often Interpreted to a num-
Der Of them, the laws and regulations
for the navy. by attempting to answer
their numerous questions relating to
the duties and RESPONSIBILITIES of the
several grades of officers throughout
a feet of vessels. from the command
er-in-chief to the lowest rate among
the crew.
w her the news of our navy's sue
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, ana 10 the commanders-iIl-
chief of the fleets.
The enthusiasm of the population in
praise and honor fer the officers and
men engaged at Santiago lasted for
some time, until later, when the troub-
les commenced as to where the credit
and honors should go for the success
of this engagement
1T is no news to the navy to say
that where all do their duties. the first
honors for success go to the officer in
chief command. Censure for failure
also belongs to him.
This newspaper cutting in question,
contains statement in which ii is said
that ] made a comparison between
Schley and Sampson, unfavorable to
Schley.
The word respected as used by the
reporter, is seldom or never employed
by navy men in comparing the quali-
ties possessed by officers. and | am
sure / could never have said this as he
reports. nor said that Schley had the
reputation of being nervous and hot
headed in the Naval Academy.
''One may say an officer stands high
er in his class, If true: another may
stand higher in scientific attainments.
while another be distinguished for en-
inent diplomatic and social qualities,
while all under discussion are of good
standing and proficient in their lleces-
sary- professional calling.
Il have no recollection of the gentle
man representing the Boston Record
and do not approve of his public
statement as mine
y cannot say that / have not dis
cuSsed with acquaintances matters
published in the newspapers relating
to our navy's success as well as the
unfortunate disputes so widely COM
mented on.
There are few or no persons in the
navy or in our country, who have not
daily discussed these newspaper arti-
cles.
From the papers it appears that
Admiral Schley has strong doubts as
TO my fitness to fairly judge this case
with Admirals Dewey and Benham.
LAS it is a case Of grave Importance
to those concerned and to the coun-
try. l am desirous Of giving my little
help to clear away the troubles.
The duties of members of courts
martial and courts Of enquiry are not
sought or desired by officers.
while l feel highly honored by the
departments selection of myself for
this duty. il is anything but pleasant
task 10 sit in judgment on brother Off
GERS.
However the honor of the selection
nor the unpleasantness Of court du-
ties do not enter into the reasons for
my now writing TO say to you, person
ally. three things. namely:
u To resssure you that / am not
responsible for and did not give out
such an interview as is alleged in the
dispatches from Boston and as stat
ed in the newspapers to have been
mentioned by Admiral Schley in re-
cent letter to the department.
- II. however, the department feels
that the cause Of the navy and of jus
tice will be better served by relieving
me frcm duty on the Court. / am en-
tirely ready TO withdraw voluntarily.
or to have the department relieve me
upon its own Initiative.
% IT. on the other hand. the depart
ulent. knowing all the circumstances,
desires that / should perform tha
duty. am entirely ready 10 perform Il,
and can, upon my conscience and
oath. do my duty as a member Of the
Court without partiality.' as the law
requires. Yours, sincerely and respect
fully. II. l.. HOWISON.
Rear Admiral, L. ). y.
'Eon. Frank w. Hackett, Washing
ton, ID. C."
MI tachetl > Ieplg Ioiio"S'
PERSONAL
Washington. August 26. 1901.
"Dear Admiral:
Your personal letter Of 24th. de-
serves an immediate reply. You say
substantially that there is no founda-
ton for the statements attributed TO
you as having been set forth In an inter-
view afterward published in the Boston
Record and lately made the subject
OF a communication from Rear Admir-
al Schley to the department. You evil
IDENTIFY have read the correspondence
between the admiral and the depart
ment as published last week in the
newspapers
THE &,ezrtmert, let me assure you.
has ne purpose Of relieving you of this
duty. Ii has implicit confidence in
your sense OF Justice and fairminded-
ness.
'-shznld the counsel for Rear Admi-