The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-07-31
LoNo rRIgs ro souARs AIMseLF
Explains Wording Of Order for the
Sehley Inquiry.

sehley Inquiry.
Washington, July 8O.-secretary
Long has been so severely criticised
for the language he used in his pre-
cept for the schley court Of Inquiry
that he has been making explanations
of it ever since it was issued He
contends that the language used is
simply in the form yrually adopted
in such cases and Is strictly imperson-
al and that this Will be recognized by
Admiral schley
The statements are not presented
as facts said the secretary They
simply repeat what has been set forth
In the newspapers. and Admiral
Schley declares that he wants com
plete investigation The precept is in
the usual form observed IN the prep
aration Of documents Of like character
issued for the guidance Of courts of in.
quiry. II the legal right Of an Of
hcer TO know specifically the matters
affecting mis- conduct which are to be
Investigated It is just that this
should be so not only TO the officer
under investigation, but to the court
which is making the investigation.
In the preparation of the precept the
department was careful to avoid any
thing that looked like an accusation
It simply mentioned the points which,
to use Admiral schleys own phrase.
have been matters under discussion"
May Show Conspiracy.
Admiral Schley's friends accept
Secretary Longs explanation az sin
cere and are now turning their at.
tention to the concluding paragraph Of
the order. which directs the court to
any other matter than that specifically
set forth, It is anticipated that Ad-
miral schley will offer evidence Of
the conspiracy against him when will
amount to an accusation against Ad-
miral Sampson and other officers and
force them to ask for courts of in
quiry. as schley has done SO little
time has elapsed since the inquiry
was asked for that Admiral Schley's
complete line Of action has not been
determined upon and probably viii
not be for some time
Secretary Long received no word to
day from Rear Admirals Schley Kim
berly or Benham, to whom the precep
to the court of inquiry was mailed yes
terday. It was hardly expected, how
ever, that they would be heard from
today. While it is possible that Admir-
al Schley might object TO one of thu
members of the court or TO the judg,
advocate, it is hardly thought that h
will do so. Even should he make oh
lection It would not necessarily follow
that the department would heed It.
Sampson Discusses Criticisms.
Boston, Mass, July 30.-An author
lied interview has been given by Rea
Admiral Sampson upon the points il
controversy as result Of the Santa
60 campaign. Explaining his star
to siboney on the morning OF the San
tiago battle he said:
Il went to Siboney upon the urgen
request of Major General shafter, VIII
had demanded a council Of war. II
being i'll at the time and moreover
being senior to me, it was incumben
upon me to go to him. chose tn
time of day when it seemed least like
ly that Cerveras fleet would come on
of the harbor."
"You have been criticised for veal
ening your feet by sending the battl
ship Massachusetts, to Guantanamo fo
coal"
This weakening of the line was a
unavoidable feature Of the blockad
although we did do considerable Goa
ing from the colliers on the blocka'
ing line. we found il impossible to kee
sufficient supply on board all II
vessels by this method. Il must
remembered that the vessels were co
stantly under way and had 70 kee
steam 10 enough Of their hoilers TO
ready to move at good speed on imm
date notice This involved the @
pending Of coal faster than II cou
be put on board by coaling in the op'
and we were therefore, Obliged TO ser
vessel each morning 70 Guantanau
70 coal the vessel returning 10 b.
LhlncEndlno statinn a nlrhifnlIr