The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-08-31
LETTER WON'T DO
HoWISON MAKES VAGUE STATE
MENTS OF HIS POSITION.
THAT DON'T SATISFY SCHLEY.
LETTERS BETWEEN HoWIsON AND
HACkETT MADE PUBLIC.

Disclosed in His Decentralization
Praises Reporters Generally, But
Can't Remember Frost, of the
Record - May Have Said Either
More or Less-Hackett Says De-
partment Has No Intention of Re-
moving HOwison and Protest Will
Have to Be Made tn the Court.
Washington, Aug. 30.-The dissatis-
faction of Rear Admiral Schley and his
counsel with the position of Rear Ad-
miral Howison, a member of the court
of inquiry, has not been abated by the
letter of Howison TO Acting Secretary
of the Navy Hackett.
copy of the letter of Rear Admiral
Howison was sent to Rear Admiral
Schley, who discussed it with his coun-
sci. Later in the day the following an
nouncement was made:
Admiral Schely's counsel is entirely
dissatisfied with the position of Admi-
raj Howison as disclosed in his letter
to Acting Secretary Hackett, made
public to-day"
The lawyers hold that it is not
comprehensive denial of the statements
attributed to Admiral Howison, nor,
they say, does it disclose sufficiently
the Admirars freedom from bias. 1t is
probable they will set forth these OBJ
jections in letter to the acting secre-
tary of the navy.
Acting Secretary Hackett during the
morning made public the correspond
ence between Rear Admiral Howison
and himself, in relation to the fitness
of the Admiral to serve upon the court
of inquiry, Admiral Howison having
consented that his personal letter shall
be given to the public.
The Letter of HOwisOn.
The correspondence is as follows:
"72 Ashburton Avenue, Yonkers. ".
Y, Aug. "a, 1901.-Dear Sir: 1 have
just returned to my home after a short
visit to Saratoga and Lake George.
Owing to my detail as a member
of the court of inquiry, ordered to meet
on Sept. II next, l find that many
newspapers are giving me credit for
having served my country in the
United States Navy, for nearly half
century, with honor. see also that l
am thought to be Objectionable as a
member of this court of inquiry, it be-
Ing SLdleu lIdI L expressed
opinions on the conduct of the battle
of Santiago, while serving as camman-
dant at the Boston navy yard, shortly
after the result of that engagement
was known.
II believe the service knows, as do,
that 1 do not attempt to make public
speeches, write for magazines or pa
pers, or make public utterances on
navy or other subjects.
hno ir31TN ell f@,-
to avoid the visits and questions
of representatives of newspapers while
serving at important stations, and at
times when the navy has been so busily
employed.
"At Mare Island, during my long SER
vice there, particularly during the
great railroad strike, the papers con-
tanned many statements, said to have
been obtained in my office; most, If not
all of these reports were harmless,
readable articles on the operations of
the several naval detachments serving
for the preservation of law and order.
Couldn't Keep Out Reporters.
During my two years service at the
Boston station there was seldom a day
passed without receiving visits from
the representatives of several of the
Boston papers, and during the Spanish
American War. the navy yard there
was seldom without newspaper report
ers.
Il found them to be polite and gen.
tlemauiy, at all times, and whatever
information l could reasonably impart,
/ gave them.
II have often interpreted to a num-
ber Of them the laws and regula tions
for the navy, by attempting TO answer
their numerous questions relating to
fa q ho
several grades of officers throughout a
fleet OF vessels, from the commander
in-chief TO the lowest rate among the
crew.
when the news of our navy's sue
cess at Manila and again at Santiago
reached Boston the people there were
not behind the krest of the
United States in giving honor and
praises to the navy and to the COM
mander in chiefs of the fleets.
THE enthusiasm of the population in
praise and honor for the officers and
men engaged at Santiago lasted for
some time, until later, when the trou
bles commenced as to where the credit
and honors should go for the success
of this engagement.
1T is no news to the navy to say
that where all do their duties the first
honors for success go to the officer in
Cnlet command. CenSure Tor failure
also belongs to him.
lie Avoids Direct Issue.
"This newspaper cutting in question
contains a statement in which it is said
that / made a comparison between
Schley and Sampson, unfavorable to
Schley The word respected as used
by the reporter. is seldom or never en-
ployed by navy men in comparing the
qualities possessed by officers, and l
am sure / could never have said this
as he reports, nor said that Schley had
the reputation of being ne"vous and
hot headed at the Naval Academy.
zone may say an officer stands high
er in his class, if true; another may
stand higher in scientific attalnments,
while another be distinguished for en-
inent diplomatic and social qualities,
while all under discussion are of good
standing and proficient in their neces-
sary professional calling.
"I have no recollection Of the gentle
man representing the Boston Record
and I do not approve of his public
tatement as mine.
"I cannot say I have not discussed
with acquaintance matters published
in the newspapers relating to our
navy's success, as we'll as the unfortu-
nate dispute so widely commented on.
There are few or no psrsons in the
navy or in our country who have not
daily discussed these newspaper ar
ticles From the papers II appears that
Admiral Schley has strong doubts as
to my fitness TO fairly judge this case
x,ftb Adp,fraIs Dewey and Rpnhaun