The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-13

Schley had done certain things he ought
ID nave been court-martialed?
Rear Admiral Howison-No: 7 do not
remember making any such remark But
II someone, for instance, should come
TO me and say that certain officer had
under the navy regulations he would be
subject to court-martial or discipline Of
some sort If he had done certain thing.
l would not hesitate to say that to you
MORE DENIALs.
Taking up the testimony of Mr. Nichols
Mr.. Raynor called Admiral Howisons at
tention to the fact that in his formal re-
ply he had not denied the statements of
that witness. The admiral said he had
never said to Mr.. Nichols that Schley had
no business in the navy, or that man
could not remain in the English navy
under such circumstances.
never made any such remark as that
IN regard to Admiral Schley. If anything
OF the Kind occurred there it was Just as
l stated in my answer to YOU before
II he (Nichols) had stated to me that
Aomlral Schley had positively disobeyed
ORDERS or done something that he ought
not to have done, that was liable to dis
clpllne, L would have said he should he
brought before a court-martial That is
SIMPLY one of the regulations of the serv-
ICE. II people come to you and tell you
that officers are guilty of such and such
Things, it Is natural for YOU who knew
the regulations and laws of the service
perfectly, to say, If he is guilty of those
tnings, ne should be concentrated for
1t. And | still say so, as to everybody .
Mr.. Raynor-He says: IL EXPRESSED
surprise that he should feel this way TO-
WaIds Schley; and re said: You wouidn t
II you were In touch with the sentiment
among naval officers
sPARRING FOR POINTS.
- Rear Admiral Howison-WeiI, how in
the world could stranger to me, COM
me TO my house on his own business
SET me TO speak in such way as that
unless 1t Were in answer to some oues
tlon' or unless he misinterpreted my an
sWGIs TO MN. L haven't the slightest
WIS Wlsn TO force mysel on this court. [ do
not want TO sit on it. 1t is not an agree
able DUTY for me. | have no desire wnar-
ever to do 1t. L am not making any ex-
cuses Tor myself or for any of my private
discussions e with anyone outside j think
tEat is my own affair, and nobody elsa
is asked about these private discussions
1t is only this one Objectionable man T
am perfectly willing to get out, as / saw
in my letter. -
Mr.. Raynor-But are you willing to ask
the court to relieve you?
Rear Admiral HoWison-I cannot ask
the court to relieve me, because they have
got TO do that upon the merits of the
case.
Mr.. Raynor-Now, you say lust now
that you have in conversations substan-
TALLY admitted that the credit of 1he
battle OF Santiago was due to the com
mander in CHER, and If Sampson were
the commander in chief if that comes. nm
der any of the specifications of the nre-
cept, have not you made up your mind
on very important question that is 90
come before you now?
Rear Admiral Howison-No sir
Mr.. Raynor-If you have come to the
CONCLUSION that Sampson was commander
IN chief, and that the credit of that bat
Tie was due to Sampson. have you not
mace up your mind on question that is
bound to come before you now as a Judge
of this tribunal?
Rear Admiral Howison-No. sir.
MI. Raynor-Y our view, then is that he
was officially the commander in chief?
Rear Admiral HowiSon-Of the North
Atlantic squadron.
Mr.. Raynor-Of the North Atlantic
Squadron; and being officially the COM
mander in chief, he deserves the credit
of that victory?
Rear Admiral Howison-It depends upon
what he did and what he did not, wheth-
er the credit part of it comes in.
There was considerable sparring on
this point with the conclusion that Ad-
miral Howison said any conclusion would
answer to further questions the admiral
said that he had discussed the contro-
versy in many conversations during the
past three years on the basis of news
paper reports.
Some things he had said were favorable
to Schley and some to Sampson. He
never had said that Schley was hot
headed and impetuous, for he never had
thought him hot-headed or nervous.
RAYNoR SUMS UP.
The testimony having been closed, Mr..
Raynor in few words called attention
to the fact that three statements made
by the witnesses had not been denied.
He wished it distinctly understood that
there is no impeachment here of that adj
m1raPs integrity, or his capacity, or his
eminent qualifications, and not the Slight
est criticism of any remarks he made
at the time. He had perfect right to
talk about this matter and TO come to
his own conclusions, but the question re-
manned, Is the admirars mind in such a
condition that it throws upon us the
burden of proof to relieve his mind of a
prejudice that he has against our side
of the case? He (Raynor) asked the
court if it did not think that the coTdi-
ton of the admirals mind row is this
that unless he hears something to the
contrary, Admiral Sampson was the COM
on the day and is enti-
tied to the credit for the victory at San
tiago?
Counsel then reviewed in detail the tes-
timony given and the fact that Admiral
Howisons statement was guarded and
did not deny many material statements
OF the witnesses.
Mr.. Rayner having referred to Mr..
Nichols statement as to what Admiral
Howison had said concerning Schley and
the English navy and also coaling at sea.
Admiral Howison interrupted with a very
positive disclaimer that he ever could
have made either statement. They must
have been someone else's statement.
Following Mr.. Rayner's arraignment of
Admiral Howison as member of the
court, that body took a brief recess to
consider the matter. When it returned
Admiral Dewey promptly said:
81 have to announce that the objection
OF the applicant to Rear Admiral Howl
son is sustained by the court. The ad
miral is excused from service-for which
1 know, he is very glad.
Rear Admiral HoWiSon--I am, indeed
The court then, at 3:45 p. n., adjourll-
ed to await appointment Of a successor
to Admiral Howison by the navy depart
ment.
SUCCESSOR IN DOUBT.
Owing to the late hour at which the
Schley court reached decision as TO
the eligibility of Rear Admiral Howison,
the result could not be communicated to
the navy department officially before it
had closed for the day Therefore, Mr.
Hackett, the acting secretary, will not
know officially the fact that Admiral
Howison has been relieved until tomor-
row. But through unofficial channels,
which he knows is reliable, he was ac-