The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-30
ANXIOUS TO FIND GLEASON
Helmsman of the Texas Needed by
SIMPSONS Friends.
Want His Testimony Regarding the
"Loop" Made by the brooklyn
Trying to Locate Him in Sweden
Mr.. Hackett Hears From Howison.


Trying to Locate Him in sweden
If Gustaf E. Claeson, erstwhile first
uuartermaster of United States Navy,
aboard the battleship Texas, is living, he
will confer a great favor upon the Navy
Department, and especially upon the
Judge advocate of the Schley Court of
Enquiry. by making his present where
abouts known to that official.
Claeson is a man upon whose evidence
the friends of Rear Admiral Sampson are
said to be placing much Importance lie
is wanted as a witness before the Court
of Enquiry to assist in substantiating the
charges made against Rear Admiral
Schley Claeson is said to have been the
man who was at the wheel aboard the
Texas during the battle of Santiago and
was consequently at the helm when the
BROOKLYN executed her famous loop. BY
him it is said that ii is expected to prove
something in regard to how near the
Brooklyn came to running down the rex
as and how he was obliged the reverse
the course of the vessel to prevent her
from being rammed by the flagship when
the order was given for the Brooklyn TO
turn.
Admiral Philip, who commanded the
battleship Texas, is dead and Ciaeson
cannot be found, although strenuous ef-
forts have been put forth to find him.
OF course, there were other officers ana
men aboard the battleship at the time.
and they will be present at the enquiry,
but the testimony of Captain Philip and
of First Quartermaster Claeson would be.
il is said of much Importance. Without
them the charges in regard to the exc
Oft na N force.
if at any time they were of serious mo-
ment-
The department, however, deems Glaze
sons testimony of SO much Importance
that il has made enquiries con-
corning him in Sweden, where he was
born, and where it was thought he might
have gone after leaving the service. Dill
gent effort to locate him in this country
has failed, and no response has been re-
ceived from the cablegrams which have
been sent to his home in Sweden enquir-
ing after him.
Claeson enlisted in the Navy at Boston
and went aboard the Wabash. He was
aboard the Texas during the Santiago
campaign, and at the wheel while the
fight with Cerveras fleet was in progress
He left the service from the Vermont on
July s. 1899 at New York City. No one
connected with the navy now knows
where he is When he enlisted he gave
the name of his next of kin as Gertrude
Swanson, ) Torggatten, Torllhatten,
Sweden. A cablegram to her asking con-
corning him has brought no response.
As Claeson is now not in the service of
the United States he could not be COM
PEELED to attend the hearing but an eff
fort will be made to induce him to come
and give testimony If he is found, even
if he is across the water, This gives an
idea OF the Importance which is attached
to his testimony.
There were no further new develop
ments yesterday In the matter OF the
Schley Court of Enquiry. The statement
is persistently made that Admiral Howl
son has not communicated with the Navy
Department in regard to the matter of his
alleged interview in the Boston Record.
although IL is said that he has written to
Acting Secretary Hackett and that Of
fetal elects to term the communication
one OF strictly private character
II is also said that he has written to
Mr.. Hackett stating that he viii be pres
ent and meet with the Court on Septem-
her L. This letter. however, was in
acknowledgment of letter notifying him
of the place Of holding the Court Of En-
quiry.
Notwithstanding the fact that the name
of Rear Admiral Sampson is at the head
of the list of witnesses presented to Rear
Admiral Schley as those who viii appear
before the Court Of Enquiry to testify
TO the charges made against him, 1t Is
by no means certain that Sampson will
be present. In his present state of health
it is said that he would not be able to
come to Washington. and unless his con-
dition materially improves the Navy De
partment will not call him.
1t is probable however, that Schley's
counsel will ask that a physicians GER
tificate be produced to show that he is
unable to attend, and, of course. if he is
too i'll to be here they Will not press the
matter.
Secretly it is the hope of the friends Of
Admiral Sampson that he will not be able
to be in Washington to attend the court.
for they fear the cross-fire which would
be directed toward him by counsel for
Admiral Schley. They feel that he would
not be able to Withstand a severe cross
examination, such as he would doubtless
be subjected to, and that counsel would
be able to confuse and tear to pieces his
statement, to the injury of the case
against Schley. In short, they do not
wish to trust him upon the stand.
Hence IL is that in all probability Samp
son Will be as he was at the battle of
Santfngo-abSent.
in the department and his attorneys, will
be submitted, after he has gone through
the form Of subscribing to IL, and an
effort will be made to have il admitted as
evidence Without the opportunity of
cross examination. il is probable that
Sehley's counsel will object to its ad-
mission. Should Sampson be able to
come to Washington ne will no doubt
read his testimony, as prepared for him
by his friends. 1t is said that the pur-
fnshield. Captain Chadwick and w L.
Stayton, SIMPSONS attorney, at Newport
was to arrange for the statement which
is to be submitted on behalf of Sampson
either by him personally or an afi-
davit. Sampson is now at Burke Haven
n. H. and is not being communicated
with in regard to his testimony or the
Court OF Enquiry. He is said to be quite