Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-07-24
GRANTS HIS REQUEST
Secretary Long Tells Admiral
Schley Court Of Inquiry
Will Be Held.
The News Excites Great Interest
In Naval Circles..Dewey
Will Preside.
Full Text of schley's Request
and the Answer OF secre.
tary Long.
.tary Long.

c!sms against him which IRE contained
In Maclay's History of the Navy" and
tnuendoes which have appeared in the
press for several rays and stating that,
IL his opinion, the time is now come to
take such action as would bring the en-
View of his brothers in arms" He asked
the department to take such action as is
deemed best to accomplish this purpose.
He also requested that whatever action
be taken should occur in Washington,
where his papers and data are stored.
The secretary Immediately decided to
comply with Schey's request and die
tated letter to the rear admiral saying
that under the circumstances he heart
lily approved of his action and the de-
partment would proceed at once in ac
cordance with his request. The secretary
took this action without consultation
with any one and without communicate
ing the request of schley to the presi-
dent. He then called into his Office Rear
Admiral Crowninshield and Captain.
Cowles, chief and assistant chief re-
Bpectively of the bureau of navigation.
and also Judge Advocate General Lem
ly. who has charge of the formalities of
naval courts. He also sent for Admiral
Dewey Altho Schley did not ask spe-
cifically for court of inquiry, but left
the action to be taken to the Judgment
of the department, the secretary decided
that such a court would be the best
means of making the investigation
which the rear admiral had requested
end the three bureau officers We're called
In for the purpose of discussing the
mode OF procedure III such cases. After
: his conference with Dewey. who had re
sponded Immediately to the secretarys
request for an interview. the secretary
said he had not had time to decide upon
the composition of the court but in re-
sponse to a question as to whether Dew.
ey would serve upon such court if re-
quested to do SO. the secretary said:
"Dewey will do his duty. 4Altho no
positive declaration has been given on
this point, 1t is assumed about the navy
department that Dewey will be presi-
Gent of the court which viii inquire into
the whole controversy concerning
Sunny dSNlOlt t,lt Sptilllsil-
American war. There is also an impress
zion that two other members of the
court will be retired naval officers or at
least officers who had no connection
with the Santiago campaign Selection
of retired officers would have double
advantage Not only would they be FREE.
from any prejudice growing out of their
activity In connection vita the depart
mi tbav bu, -
future consequences arising from their
course while members of the board. The
court of inquiry probably vii! not pro-
ceed with its work until fall Long said
today that it would be unfair to ask a
court OF inquiry to convene in Wash
ington during the present extremely hot
weather for the prosecution of an in
Quiry which promised to be quite pro-
tracted.
Schley's letter is as follows:
Great Neck, Long Island, y. Y. July
1z.-Sir: Within the pas, few days a
series OF press comments have been SEM
me from various parts of the country 81
book entitled History of the Navy
written by one, Edgar Stanton Macay
From these reviews 1t appears this edi-
tion 10 composed OF volume of said
history extended to include the late wni
with Spain, which the first two volumes
did not contain. and We're in use a. text
books at the naval academy
From excerpts quoted in some Of the
reviews, In which the page and para
graph are given. there is such a perver.
sion Of facts. misconstruction of inten-
tion. such Incorporate abuse and defa-
NATION OF myself which subjects Maclay
20 action in civil law. While l admit
the right Of fair criticism OF every pub
lie officer. l must protest against the
low filings and abusive language of this
violent. partisan opponent who has in
fused into the pages of his book so mucn
malice and unfairness as TO make it un.
worthy the name of history or of use in
any reputable institution Of the coun-
try.
''I have refrained heretofore from all
comment upon the innuendoes of enc
mics muttered or murmured in secre..
and therefore with safety to themselves
think the time is now come to take
such action as may bring this entire
matter under discussion under a clearer
and calmer review of my brothers in
arms. and to this end ask such action
at the hands OF the department as it
may deem best to accomplish this pur-
pose.
But would express request In this
connection that whatever action may be
that 1t occur in Washington, where most
of my papers and data are stored. Very
respectfully,
(signed) "W. S. sCHLEY,
"Rear Admiral, U. S. N
ITO Secretary Long. Washington. d. c.
LONGS REPLY.
Long replied to Schley as follows:
Navy Department, Washington, July
"a, 1901.-Sir: am in receipt of yours of
the ED inst. with reference to the crtti-
cisrns upon you in connection with the
Spanish-American war, and heartily ap.
prove your action, under the circum-
stances, In asking at the hands of this
department such action az may bring
this entire matter under. Discussion un-
Z der the clearer and calmer review of my
{ Brothers IN arms The department will