The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-25
Admiral Has Requested the Navy Department to
Make an Inquiry Into 1t.
long Has Decided He
Personnel of the that
the Recent Developments VIII BE to Him..

Washington, July 24-secretary Long, In
'cordance with a request from Admiral
g, today advised that officer that he
>. a court of inquiry to examine
|iasos Ire matter Of Admiral schley's
course the Santiago naval campaign.
Later the secretary announced that owing
to the extremely hot weather the court
would not meet until September, ana that
he would turn over his reception room to
the court.
"Win the sessions of the court be opep3"
Enthusiastically, 1 propose to make that
fact very plain. Il would be a grest' mis-.
take 70 have secret court
The country has the right to know all
The personnel of the court will be
made known tomorrow, aud this
win give the Judge advocate aud re-
corder ample fine to prepare a list Of
witnesses who are to be summoned. This
vii. be necessarily quite lengthy and 1t
viii take some little time to assemble the
officers here. do not believe that the
session of the court will he prolonged, be-
cause after all great dcsl of the talk
over the Santiago campaign is like the
gcui's vapor, which can be condensed into
a small bottle"
"Wul Admiral Schley be allowed to name
witnesscs:'
admiral Schley" was the reply, "wil
be afforded every opportunity for the APP
pearance Of all the witnesses he may de-
sire He is also entitled. under the naval
regulation to be represented by counsel.
While Secretary Long was not asked
whether the court of Inquiry would he
asked to form ana submit an opinion upon
the facts disclosed ny the Investigation. It
is considered quite probable that this
course viii be pursued. Unless the order
converting the court expressly require this
opinion to he expressed, its report must he
confined to stating the facts found.
THE DEMAND MADE.
Secretary Long this morning received n
letter from Rear Admiral Scbley calling
attention TO the criticisms against him
which are contoiued In Maclay's History
Of the Navy and the inuendoes which ap.
peared IN the press for several days and
stating that In his opinion the time bad
now come 30 take such action as would
bring the entire matter under the "clear
and calmer review OF his brothers In arms. "
He asked that the department. take such
action as was deemed best to accomplish
this purpose. lie also requested that what
ever action he taken should occur in Wash
iugton. where his papers and data are
stored.
The secretary Immediately decided TO
comply with the admirais request and
dictated letter to Rear Admiral Schiey
saying that under the circumstances he
heartily approx I'd of his action and that
the department would proceed at once In
accordance with his request. The secretary
took this action without consultation with
any one and without communicating the
request OF Admiral schley 10 the president,
He then called into his office Rear Ad-
miral Crowinshicld and Captain Cowies,
chief and assistant chief, respectively Of
the bureau of navigation, aud also Judge
Advocate General Lemley, who has charge
of formalities OF naval courts He also
sent for Admiral Dewey.
A COURT or INQUIRY.
Although Rear Admiral schley did not
ask specifically for court Of inquiry but
left the action to be taken to the iudg-
ment Of the department, the secretary de-
cided that such court would be the best
means Of making the investigation which
the real admiral mad requested and the
three bureau officers were called for the
purpose of discussing the mode Of proce-
| dure IN such cases. After his conference
with Admiral Dewey. who had responded
Immediately 20 the secretary's request the
secretary had not had time to decide upon
the composition Of the court, but in re-
sponse 70 a question as to whether Ad-
| n,iraI Dewey would serve upon such a
| court n requested 10 do so, the secretary
! said. admiral Dewey will do his duty"
! Although no positive declaration has been
| dvcn on this noint. It is assumed about
the navy department that Admiral Dewey
| vim he president Of the court which win
,norire into the whole controversy con
! cerping Admiral Schley's action during The
| snarish war. There also is an impression
! that the two other members OF tae court
viii Inc retired naval officers or at least
ofecers who had no connection With the
santiago campaign. The selection OF re-
,,red ofacers would have double adj
vantage Nor only would they De iree
from any prejudice growing ont OF ineiF
| active service with the department. pal
they would have no fear Of future conse-
ou4nces arising from their course Weiie
members Of the toard'
This court Of inquiry probably WIZ not
proceed With its work until fan. seeFe-
tary Long said today mat It would De I'M
fair to ask court Of inquiry TO convene 10
| washington duFiqE the present extremely
hot weather for the prosecution OF an m
auiry which promised TO De quite pro
! tFacted. ,,,,,,,n
Admiral schley's letter Is as toioWs,
Great Neck, Long lsland' ,. IT, sAy
q. sir. Within the past few DAYS SETS
Of press comments have been sent 70 me
| from various parts Of the county VI
4 af - NAVY.