Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1901-07-25
SCHLEYS LETTER TO LONG.
REQUESTS AN INVESTIGATION OF
CHARGES.
The Admiral Asks For Action At Hands
Of The Navy Department Secretary
Longs Prompt Reply.

4
Longs Prompt Reply.
The long suffering Admiral Schley will
at last be given an opportunity TO defend
| himself before board of naval officers
against the imputations which have been
put upon him since his great victory off
Santiago. Secretary Long has granted
his request for an examination into the
matter, which was conveyed in a letter
received at the Department yesterday.
Admiral Dewey has been selected as
president of the board, though his select
ION has not vet been officially announced.
and Secretary Long says It will be his
aim to secure for service on the board
officers whose finding must be accepted
by the country as impartial and unlainted
by any personal feeling either toward
Schley or Sampson. 1t is hoped that
yesterdays action means that Admiral
Schley will have the fullest opportunity
OF presenting all phases of his case and
TO refute the charges made by enemies.
Admiral Schley will unquestionably
take the opportunity OF bringing out evil
dences that has not appeared in either
the official documents or ielegrams bear
ing on incidents leading up TO the Glen
fuegos affair and subsequent to his con-
duct in the battle of Santiago. Admiral
Schley has sent the following letter to
the Navy Department, addressed 10 Sec
retary Long
Great Neck, Long Island, n. Y,
July 22, 1901.
Sir Within the past few days series
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 Edgar Stanton Maclay.
From these reviews 1t appears that this
edition is a third volume OF the said
history, extended to include the late
war with Spain. which the two first vol
umes did not contain, and were in use as
textbooks at the Naval Academy.
=. From excerpts quoted in some re-
views, in which the page and paragraph
are given, there is such perversion OF
facts, misconstruction OF intention, such
Incorporate abuse and defamation OF
myself which subjects Mr.. Maclay to
action in civil law. While | admit the
right OF fair criticism OF every public Off
Ger, | must protest against the low filings
and abusive language OF this violent, par
Iisan opponent. who has infused into the
pages OF this book so much of the malice
of unfairness as to make it unworthy the
name of history or of use in any reputable
institution of the country.
q. have refrained heretofore from all
comment upon the innuendoes of enemies
muttered or murmuTed in secret, and
therefore with safety to themselves, |
think the time has now come to take
such action as may bring this entire mat
ter under consideration under the clearer
and calmer view OF my brolhers.in-arms,
and to this end | ask such action at the
hands of the department as il may deem
best to accomplish this purpose.
a. But | would express the request in
this connection that whatever action may
be, it occur in Washington, where most
Of my papers and data are stored.
Very respectfully,
w. S. SCHLEY,
Rear-Admiral, U. 5. N.
To the Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, ID. {.
Secretary Long sent the following re-
ply to Admiral Schley
Navy Department, Washington,
July "a, 1901.
Sir IL am in receipt OF yours OF the
22d instant, with reference TO the criti-
cisms upon you in connection with the
Spanish American War, and heartily ap-
prove of your action, under the circum-
stances, in asking at the hands of this
department "such action as may bring
this entire matter under discussion under
the clearer and calmer view of my broth
ers-in-arms. The department will at
once proceed in accordance with your
request. Very respectfully,
JOHN ID. LONG,
Rear-Admiral W. S. Schley, u. S. N,
Great Neck, Long Island. N. Y.
The general tenor and character of the
Admirars lettef, in the opinion OF the
Navy, made il imperative that Secretary
Long should act with the promptness he
displayed in ordering the Court and re.
plying to Schley, and it is hoped that a
body presided over by Admiral Dewey,
who for years has probably been the
most pronounced advocate and admirer
OF the customs and traditions of the serv.
ice, will bring in verdict that the Navy
and the country will accept as the final
| disposition OF the case.-