The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-25
BY A COURT Of HIS
BROTHERS IN ARMS
At Schley's Request lnves-
tigation Will be Made.
SEC. LONG APPROVES
The Court of Inquiry May Not Meet
Before the Fall.
ITS PERSONNEL WILL BE KNOWN TODAY
Admiral SchIey Says While He Admits the
Right Of Fair Criticism OF Anv Public
Officer MacIays Languagei
Violent and Abusive.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, July 24.-Secretary Long
this morning received a letter from Rear
Amiral Schley, calling attention 20 the
criticisms against him which are con-
tanned in Maclay's history of the Navy
and the reviews which have appeared in
the press for several days, and stating
that, in his opinion, the time had now
come to take such action as would bring
the entire matter under the clear and
calm review of his brothers in arms. =
He asked that the Department take such
action as was 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 Admiral Schley's request and die
tated a letter to the Rear Admiral say
ing that under the circumstances he
heartily approved of his action and that
the Department would proceed at once in
accordance with his request.
Admiral Schleys letter is as follows:
Great Neck, Long Island, N Y, July
%, 1901.
"Sir:-Within the past few days a series
of press comments have been sent to me
frcm various parts of the country of a
book entitled The History of the Navy
written by one Edgar Stanton Maclay.
From these reviews it appears that this
edition is third volume of the said
history extended to include the late War
with Spain, which the two first volumes
did not contain, these being in use as
text books at the Naval Academy.
80. From the ........ quoted in some
reviews. in which the page and paragraph
are given, there is such perversion of
facts, misconstruction of intention, such
Incorporate abuse and defamation OF my
self as subjects Mr.. Maclay to action in
civil law. While l admit the right of fair
criticism of every public official, l must
protest against the common abusive Ian
guage of this violent, partisan opponent
who has infused into the pages of his
book so much of the malice of unfairness
as to make it unworthy the name of his
tory, or of use in any reputable institution
of the country.
"3 | have refrained heretofore from
all comment upon the innuendoes of
enemies muttered or murmured in secret
and therefore with safety to themselves.
/ think the time has now come to take
such action as may bring this entire mat
ter under discussion under the clearer
and calmer review of my brothers in
arms and to this end ask such action
at the hands of the Department as may
seem best to accomplish this purpose.
Il. But l would express the request in
this connection that whatever the action
may be it occur in Washington where
most of my papers and data are stored.
Every respectfully,
''W. S. SCHLEY,
Rear Admiral, u. S. N.
"To the Secretary of the Navy, Washing
ton. d. c.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
Schley as follows:
Navy Department, Washington, July
"a, 1901.
Sir am in receipt of yours of the
22nd instant with reference to the criti-
cisms upon you in connection with the
Spanish American War, and heartily ap-
prove of your action, under the circum-
stances, in asking at the hands Of this De-
partment such action as may bring this
entire matter under discussion under the
clearer and calmer review of my broth
ers in arms
''The Department will at once proceed
in accordance with your request.
Very respectfully,
JOHN d. LONG"
Rear Admiral w. S. Schley, u. S. N"
Secretary Long acted without consul
tation with any one and without COM
municating the request of Admiral
Schley to the President. He then called
into his office Rear Admiral CROWN
shield, and Captain Cowles chief and
assistant chief respectively of the Bu-
reau Of Navigation and also Judge Ad-
vocate General Lemly. who has charge
of formalities of Naval Courts. He also
sent for Admiral Dewey. Although
Rear Admiral Schley did not ask spe-
officially 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
and the three bureau officers were
called in for the purpose of discussing
the mode of procedure in such cases.
After his conference with Admiral
ewey, the secretary said that he had
not had time to decide upon the com
position of the court but in response to
a question as to whether Admiral
ewey would serve upon such court, II
requested to do SO, the secretary SAID:
Admiral ewey will do his duty.
Although no positive declaration has