The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-07-25
SCHLEY MAKES MOVE
Will Demand Court Of Inquiry
In Santiago Matter.
HISTORIAN MACLAY'S HARSH CHARGES
A Civil Action Likely to Follow In
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Make Up
of the Court to he Named
by Secretary Long.


WASHINGTON, July 24.-The Wash
ington Post tclegraphed Admiral Schley
that in an editorial it insisted that he
owed it to himself as well as to his
friends to begin proceedings against Mr..
Maclay, the author of the History of
he United States Navy" to disprove the
alters charges, adding: will you do
his? Please wire statement" 1t receiv-
ID the following telegram from Admiral
Schley, dated Great Neck, n. V, July %:
II believe the first step should be an in
testigation of all matter by Il court, then
Il civil action afterward. | am preparing
10 take this course
The Post this morning, as a result of
extensive inquiries based upon the ad
mirars dispatch, says in part:
admiral Schley proposes to ask an in
vestigation at the hands of a naval court
Of inquiry and then to sue Historian Ma
clay for libel. His action is the sequel to
the developments during the past week,
when the entire country has been stirred
by the publication of the uneXampled
abuse poured out upon him in the third
volume of Il. $. Maclays History of the
United States Navy in which publica-
ton Schlcy is said to have run away
nounced as Il coward, n cur and Il
traitor"
The Schley court of inquiry will un-
doubtedy be one of the most celebrated
eases in the naval or military history of
the country. The high rank Of the Off
GERS involved in the controversy and the
intense public feeling which has been
aroused will combine to give to the inves-
tigation dramatic interest. Nothing
has occurred in Washington for many
years that will compare with it.
The appointment of the court Of in
quiry is expected to be made by Secre-
tary Long, though it would be in the pow
er of the president to make the selec-
tions if he chose. This is hardly likely
to occur, however.
Admiral Schley's letter asking for the
appointment of the court will be address
ed to Secretary Long, who is his imme-
diate chief. To address the communca-
tion to the president, ignoring Secretary
Long, would not only be breach of
naval etiquette, but would be totally at
variance with Schley's careful observ-
ance of punctilious procedure. The court,
therefore, will be named by Secretary
Long unless he shall prefer To refer the
matter to the president.
Mr.. Long has already stated that if
Admiral Schley requested a court of in
quiry he would grant the request and
has also expressed his willingness to per-
sonally select the court. While he has
not made any statement as to its person
mel, there is every reason to believe that
he fagors Admiral Dewey and Rear Ad-
mirals Ramsey and Benham, the two
latter being now upon the retired list.
The name Of Admiral Walker has been
suggested, but it is known that he has
expressed views upon the Sampson
Schley controversy in antagonism TO
Schley, and his appointment would,
therefore, be seriously questioned. 1t is
said that Dewey, Ramsey or Benham
have always carefully avoided giving an
opinion as to the merits Of the controver-
sy. All these officers are residents of
Washington, although temporarily out of
the city to escape the summer heat, and
could be quickly summoned to take their
places around the table of the court.
A court of inquiry differs from a court
martial in that it has no power to infict
a sentence. 1t is organized simply for the
purpose of investigating questions of fact,
but it has ample authority to make the
inquiry complete and exhaustive. The
naval regulations say courts Of inquiry
"shall have power to summon witnesses
administer oaths and punish contempts in
the same manner as courts martial, but
they shall only state facts and shall not
give their opinion unless expressly re.
quired so to do in the order for conven
ing"