Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-22

states that Admiral Schley disobeyed
orders. This. 1t is said, will be based upon
the text of the original cablegram sent by
Admiral Schley, in which he stated that he
regretted being unable to carry out the
department. orders, and would have to
proceed to Key West for coal by way of
the Yucatan passage. The translation of
the code. 1t is said did not altogether cor
rectly follow the message.
New Rules for Reporters.
New rules in regard to the reception of
newspaper representatives were adopted
at the Navy Department by Acting Secre-
tary Hackett today. Heretofore 1t has
been Mr.. Hackett's practice to receive The
newspaper men twice daily at his office,
giving them free access to the ante room
occupied by his secretary and stenogra-
pliers. Today, however, the door leading
from this ante room to the adjoining cor
rfdor of the department was locked and
all newspaper men who had business with
Mr. Hackett were obliged to enter Secre-
tary Longs reception room nearby and
submit their card and the nature of their
business to either his secretary or one of
his stenographers. Mr.. Hackett announced
this morning that hereafter when there
was any news to be given out 1t would be
btAlet1ned In the corridor next to his office
Counsel Sent For.
Acting Secretary Hackett sent a mes
schley's counsel, requesting their presence
at the Navy Department on an important
matter. Messrs. Rayner and Wilson were
In conference at the time this message was
received. but proceeded to the Navy De-
partment about 2 o'clock They had al
ready framed a reply to Mr.. Hackett's 8
communication, expressing the depart
ment,s unwfllingness to further question
Admiral Howison's qualifications as a
member of the court of inquiry However
this reply was withheld, pending the out
come OF the conference with the acting
secretary this afternoon The admiraps
counsel are not satisfied with the stand the
navy Department has taken in the mat
ter buf are unwilling to state at present
what line of action they will now pursue
Probable Witnesses From Cuba.
The controller of the treasury has re-
ceived and answered the following request
from the Secretary of the Navy:
Your opinion is requested as to whether
the expenses of a civilian residing in Cuba
called upon to testify before a naval court
of inquiry convened in the city of Wash
fngton, can be paid in pursuance of the
provisions Of article 1860, paragraph g
United States navy regulations, or other
wise"
In his answer the controller says:
Article 81 of the articles for the govern
ment of the navy empowers courts of in
quiry, among other things, to summon
witnesses and administer oaths. 1t was
held in 1 Comp Dec. 70, that civilian wit
nesses duly subpoenaed to attend before an
army court-martial are entitled to the
same compensation paid witnesses for at
tending before United States courts, as
provided in section S4S, Revised Statutes,
and there Is no reason why the same rule
should not apply to civilian witnesses sum-
moned to attend before a naval court of
inquiry.
$1.5O q Day and Mileage.
'In this instance the witness appears to
be out of the jurisdiction OF the court, and
Is not bound to obey it's summons. IT,
however, he chooses to do So I am Of opin-
Ion and decide that his expenses may be
paid in the same manner as those Of
witness attending in obedience to a SUBJ
poena before a United States court, or at
the rate of one dollar and fifty cents for
each days attendance and five cents a mile
going from and returning to his place Of
residence. If special arrangements are
necessary to bring the witness within the
jurisdiction Of the court additional ex-
penses properly incurred for that purpose
may be allowed and pafd'
1t Is understood that the inquiry referred
to witnesses to be summoned in the Schley
court of inquiry.
Mr.. Rayner, Judge Wilson and Captain
Parker were in consultation with Acting
Secretary Hackett for over half an hour
At the close Of the consultation it was
stated that the talk related exclusively to
a technicality bearing upon the forthcom-
ing sessions Of the court which was of no
public interest whatever. It was stated
ness for service on the court was not dis
cuSSed at all.