Evening star., 1901-08-31
HOWISON'S POSITION
1t is Not Satisfactory to Admiral
Schley and His Counsel.
LATTER WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION
Apparently Believe the Recent
Letter Was Called For.
EXAMINING WITH ESSES

1t having been decided by the Navy De-
partment that Rear Admiral Howison shall
sit as a member Of the Schley court of in
quiry, subject only to the action of his
associates on the court 1t is not expected
at the department that there will be any
further developments in connection with
that matter before the formal assembling
of the court on the 18th proximo.
Lieutenant Harlow, who commanded the
Vixen during the Santiago engagement,
was examined by Judge Advocate Lemly
at the Navy Department today with regard
to the character Of the evidence which he
will give before the court of inquiry He is
regarded as an important witness He
has also been requested to communicate
with the counsel Of Admiral Schley with
regard to the case.
The naval orders Of today contain the
names of three persons who are desired as
witnesses In the coming inquiry. They are
Lieut.. John Hood of the Indiana who has
been ordered to the Naval Academy upon
reporting of relief; Lieut.. James G. Doyle,
who, according to cablegram from Ad-
miral Remey at Cavite, has been detached
from the New York and ordered home, and
Chaplain w. T. Helms, now on the Buffalo
who has been ordered home Immediately.
Admiral Howison's Letter.
Mr.. Jere Wilson and Mr.. Isador Rayner
that Admiral Schley's counsel was entire
ly dissatisfied with the position of Admiral
Howison as disclosed in his letter to Act
ing Secretary Hackett'' added new zest to-
day to the speculation over the already
famous case. The statement indicated that
no matter what course the Navy Depart
ment might pursue the counsel for Admiral
Schley would endeavor to compel more
definite exposition Of Admiral Howison's
sentiments either at once or when tho
court of inquiry convenes.
1t is believed that Admiral Sehley, tho
members of his counsel and his friends gen.
orally hold the opinion that Admiral Howl
sons letter to Acting Secretary Hackett
was not written without an inttmatiOn from
some one In authority in the Navy Depart
ment that such a communication would
be regarded as timely. The trend Of con-
versatiOn and speculation today indicated
that such was the position Of those men
toned, and it was accordingly thought that
Admiral Schley's counsel would wait for
more definite knowledge on this point be.
fore taking further action in the prem
ises.
Interest I'm Claesen's Coming.
Considerable interest was also evinced
over the probable character Of Wheelman
Claesen's testimony. An Associated Press
dispatch from New York stated tina Clae-
sen in an interview has spoken as follows
IclcITiIlS 10 the movements OA LIE NeSStlS
on July 3:
Commodore Schley hoisted the signal,
The enemy Is escaping All the ships di-
rected their course toward the enemy. The
Texas, Iowa and Gloucester were the first
to get down to business.
He also said that he had been anxious
for three years to tell all he knew about
that battle and the work of the Brooklyn,
and that he would be glad to have that
opportunity. .-.s..-
Says Schley Commanded.
The New York Herald today prints the
following:
"Gustaf E. Claesen, former quarter
master in the navy, who was at the wheel
of the battle ship Texas during the en-
gagement off Santiago. is now porter in
the Methodist Episcopal Hospital in Brook
lyn. He refused last night to discuss the
maneuver of the Texas just before she
opened fire on the Spanish fleet, saying
that he reserved that for the hearing before
the Schley court of inquiry.
Commodore Schley was in command OF
his own fleet and of the Oregon and the
Iowa Of SIMPSONS feet Mr.. Claeson said.
according to the signals displayed. Samp-
son was nine miles away, on the cruiser
New York, and beyond signaling distance.
He was not in it at all.
"I do not care to say whether my testi-
mony at the court of inquiry will be In
favor of Admiral Sampson or Admiral
Schley. have kept my mouth shut for
three years on what 1 know Of the whole
matter, expecting that 1T might be wanted
by the Navy Department
"Mr Claeson's left ear drum was destroy
ed by the concussion of the big guns on the
Texas, and he was obliged to leave the
navy"
Mail Too Much for Him.
Admiral Schley's mail has become very
large and is growing heavier every day.
and he finds it impossible. even with the
aid of Mrs. Schley and his secretary, to
answer all letters. His time during the
day is taken up entirely by conferences
with his counsel, and from now until the
court of inquiry concludes there will be
even greater demands upon it. Conse-
uuently he will be compelled to postpone
the larger part of his correspondence to Q
later period.
A VOluminOus Brief.
Messrs Wilson and Rayner, with the as
sistance Of Capt. Parker, have about COM
pleted their presentation of Admiral
Schleys case, and it comprises about 60,OO0
words. 1t Is understood that each para
graph Of the precept is made the subject
for exhaustive treatment, and that tho
main points In the controversy are gone
into with even greater detail.