Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-24
A COURT OF INQUIRY
FOR ADMIRAL SCHLEY
Formally Addresses Letter TO SeCy. Long
Navy Department Will Proceed in
Accordance With Request.

Washington, July 2i.-secy, Long this
morning received a letter from Rear
Admiral schley, calling attention to the
criticisms against him which are con
tained IN Maclays History Of the Ma
Wy, and the innuendoes which have an
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 I'M
der the clear and calm review Of his
brothers in arms" lie asked that the
department take such action as was
deemed best to accomplish this pur-
pose. He also requested that what
ever action be taken should occur In
Washington where his papers and data
are stored
The secretary Immediately decided to
comply with Admiral Schlcy's request
and dictated a letter to the rear adj
miral, 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 The secretary took this Vac
ton without consultation with any one
and without communicating the request
| of Admiral Schley 10 the President, He
then called into his office Rear Admiral
| Crowninshleld ana Capt Cowles. chief
and assistant chief respectively Of the
bureau Of navigation and also Judge
Advocate General Lemley who has
charge Of formallties of naval courts.
lie also sent for Admiral Dewey,
Although Rear Admiral Schey did
not ask specifically for a court Of in
qury but left the action 10 be taken
10 the judgment Of the department, the
secretary decided that such a court
would be the best means OF making an
investigation which the rear admiral
had requested and the three bureau Of
ficers We're called In for the purpose Of
discussing the mode OF procedure In
such cases, After his conference with
Admiral Dewey. who had responded to
the secretary's request FOR an Interview,
the secretary said ne had not time TO
decide upon the composition OF the
| court but in response TO a question as
10 whether Admiral Dewey would serve
upon such a court. If requested % do so,
the secretary said
Admiral Dewey will do his duty"
Although no positive declaration has
been given on this point. it Is assumed
about the navy department that Adj
mlral Dewey VIII be president OF the
court which viii inquire into the whole
controversy concerning Admiral
schey's action during the Spanish war
There Is also an impression that the
two other members % the court VIII be
retired naval officers or at least officers
who had no connection with the Santl-
ago campaign The selection of retired
officers woala have Y double advantage.
Not only would they be ffee from any
prejudice growing out Of their active
connection with the department. but
they would have no fear Of future con-
sequences arising from their course
while members Of the board. The court
OF inquiry probably VIII not proceed
with it's work until fall. Secy, Long
said today that Il would be unfair 20
IN Washington during the present ex-
tremely hot weather for the prosecu-
ton Of an inquiry which promised to
be protracted.
The order for the court OF inquiry
viii not be issued until tomorrow.
Admiral schleys letter is as fol-
lows;
vi f4A ANtAht LUIS lnAdlANf ~ 7 90 July
22.-Sir; Within the past few days
series OF press comments have been
sent to me from various parts OF the
country OF book entitled The History
Of the Navy written by one Edgar
stanton Maclay From these reviews II
apears that this edition is a third vol
ume OF the said history extended 20
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
"2-From excerpts quoted IN some re-
views IN which the page and paragraph
are given, there Is such pervcrsion %
facts. misconstruction OF Intention. such
Incorporate abuse and defamation Of
myself which subjects Mr. Maclay %
action IN civil law. While / admit the
right OF fair criticism Of every public
officer. / must protest against the low
filings and abusive language OF this
violent, partisan opponent, who has in
fused into the pages 81 bis book $50
much OF the malice " unfairness as 20
make il unworthy the name ~ history
or OF use in any reputable Institution
OF the country.
81 have RETAINED heretofore from
all comment upon the innuendOes NJ
enemies muttered or murmurcd IN So
cret and therefore with safety 10 them-