The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-09-13
COURT ADJoURNs PENDING APP
PoINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
QUESTION QUICKLY SETTLED
Three Witnesses Were Examined
and in IS Minutes Decision
Was Announced.

Washington, Sept. 12-Within three
hours from the time of convening the
sSchley court of inquiry today it was
announced that Rear Admiral H. u.
Howison was disqualified from serv-
ing as member of the court and was
excused from further duty. This
brought the proceedings to an abrupt
termination and caused a temporary
adjournment of the court in order
to permit the navy department to
designate an officer to succeed Ad-
miral Howison
1t had been expected that little Of
fetal business would be accomplished
on the opening day and the prompt
decision as to Admiral Howison came
somewhat as a surprise.
Intense interest appears to be taken
by the public in the proceedings and
though it was known that only a
admitted to the court room and these
by card, a large crowd assembled at
the Washington navy yard, where the
court meets, to witness the coming
| and going Of the prominent naval Of
| ficers who take part in the proceed
| ings. They came un--uniformed and
un-heralded and until the full dress
| uniform had been donned inside the
quarters set aside for the actual ses-
sions Of the court there was nothing
| dramatic.
Admiral Dewey and Admiral Schley
were naturally the principal figures
in popular interest. The latter had
about him distinguished party of
| counsel, including Jere Wilson, At
torney General Isadore Rayner OF
| Maryland, Captain James Parker,
with Mr.. League acting as advisory
| counsel. The German naval attache.
Captain Reuber-Pashwitz, occupied
! one of the seats in the public areas
and the number of wives of naval Of
| ficers present was noteworthy.
A salute of II guns, in honor Of
! the admiral of the navy, marked the
opening of the proceedings at !
o'clock. The usual formalities on the
opening of a court were transacted
| with dispatch
The first skirmish was opened by
| Admiral Schley rising from his seat
and speaking in strong voice calm
ly and deliberately challenging Ad-
miral Howison's eligibility as mem
Der Of the court.
Three witnesses were brought for
ward in support of this, namely, Mr..
Francis S. Frost, Mr.. VIM. E. Spon
and Mr.. Foster Nichols. They gave
very positive evidence as to express
sions they had heard Admiral Howl
son make, favorable to-. Admiral
Sampson and unfavorable to Admiral
Schley.
Mr.. Frost testified to statement
Admiral Howison had made to him
at Berlin, while the witness was seek
| ing news as a reporter.
Mr.. Spon testified to remarks made
| while he and the admiral were jour.
neying back to this country from
Europe on a transatlantic steamer.
Mr.. Nichols conversation occurred
during a business call at Admiral
Howison's private residence at Yon-
kers, N. Y.
On concluding this testimony the
| question arose whether Admiral How
| ison would join issue with the state
ments made by the witnesses or would
| rest on his privilege to withhold any
answer until he chose to submit it.
The admiral met the issue ny turn
! ing to Admiral Dewey and announcing
that he would make writ Of rejoiner
| to the statements of the three wit
nesses. This rejoiner he prepared
very speedily. While conceding the
accuracy of some points in the evil
dence it threw considerable doubt on
other points and disclaimed any recol-
lection Of the talks said to have taken
place on the transatlantic steamer.
It was not sufficient, however. TO-
counteract the very direct testimony
given by the three witnesses and
moreover the admiral himself In con-
Guiding his statement, indicated
| plainly that he had no desire to re-