The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-13
.HOWI5ON TURNED DOWN

containing pictures of Sampson and
Schley. The witness said that at the sight
of Schley's picture Howison said Schley
had
NO BUSINESS IN THE NAVY,
and added that if schley were in the Eng
Ilsh navy he would have been put out for
less cause than there is in his case
Il asked, the witness continued, the
reason why Schley should have been put
out. Admiral Howison replied, For dis
obedience of orders I asked why, If he
dlsobeyed orders, he was permitted to re-
main. The admiral replied: Because he
gave the excuse that he had to go to
port to coal; yet everybody knows that
coaiing at sea is possible -
The witness said that he had expressed
surprise at Admiral Howison's attitude,
and that in reply the admiral had said
You wouldn't be surprised if you were
IN touch with the sentiment among naval
officers. Witness said that in response
to an inquiry from himself, Admiral How
ison had explained the absence of Ad-
m1ral Sampson from the scene of action
when the Santiago naval battle occurred
by saying:
The explanation is there had been lack
of cooperation between the land and ma
val forces and Sampson was trying to
harmonic them. The day on which the
battle occurred was the last day on earth
when the Spanish fleet should have been
expected to come OUT
Mr.. Raynor at this point called the at
tention of the court to the fact that the
witness testimony had not been an
swered. The letter Admiral Howison had
written to Acting Secretary Hackett had
not been produced. Neither had Admiral
Howison been asked to testify After
reading from a law authority, Mr. Ray
nor said that the issue could not be ar
gued until Admiral Howison had been
heard from
Judge Lemly maintained that Admiral
Howison could make statement If he
desired, either before CIR after the argu-
ments.
Admiral Howison settled the matter.
however, by reaching forward for his cap
and whispering to Admiral Dewey The
latter then announced that Admiral How
ison would make his response at once.
Thereupon Admiral Howison withdrew to
the private apartments in the rear. and
the court took an informal recess.
The court remained absent from the
room for about fifteen minutes, and when
it reeonvened Admiral Howison presented
his reply to the charges made against
himself. His statement was typewriter
and as follows:
HOWISON'S DEFENSE.
Following is Admiral Howison's state
ment to the court:
Mr. President and Gentlemen: In re-
ply to the objection to me as a member
OF this court, submit copy of my per-
Sonal letter to the Hon. Frank W. Hack
EFT, which has been made public by the
navy department
Mr.. Frost, l think, is answered by
this letter above referred to. Mr. Spon's
statement is one [ cannot father I pos
1t1yely do not remember his face at all
Mr.. FroStS face is familiar although
nave not seen him for two years or more
and Mr.. Spon by his statement only last
October.
Mr.. Nichols did call at my house at
Yonkers, on IL very hot day, on his own
business. He would not take no admit
tance' Tor an answer and during his stay
he did discuss with me several naval
matters, among which was the Sampson
Sehley much-talked-of affair. Our talk
was snort, as | desired him to leave me
in peace.
Il desire to say that / am, as you
know, here to obey the orders of the de-
partment to report to you for duty as
member OF this court; it is not optional
with me to obey or not obey these or
ders. My commission requires obedience.
IheSe orders were not sought by me,
nor are they agreeable ones, but l have
ders by my long service in the navy
Il do not propose to enter into the sub
Ject of my private discussions. / do not
wish to recall for the information of the
pubIc what has been said to me by ac-
quaintances; in fact, it would be diff
ncult task to perform. Private utter
anees are not long retained particularly
when there is no personal interest in the
matter under discussion. 1t is sincerely
hoped that during the examination of my
eligibility for membership, should there
be any doubtful points in the minds of
the unobjected to members of this court,
that all such points be decided in favor
of Admiral Schley, who is the one most
particularly concerned in the inveStiga-
ton to follow. [ will accept my detach-
ment, as / have my orders for this duty
as an officer should.
have no personal feelings and no
personal interests in the matters to come
before the court, except the interests 1
have for the good of the service L have
great faith in the impartiality and Justice
of naval officers serving on courts, and
sincerely hope that the results finally OBJ
tanned may be satisfactory to our navy
and to our country. Respectfully,
III. L. HowiSon.
Rear Admiral, U. S. N.
HOWISON CROSS EXAMINED.
Assistant Judge Advocate Hanna, as
further part of the admiraFs reply, read
his letter of explanation to Assistant
Secretary Hackett, made public some
days ago
Mr.. Rayner asked permission and the
examination proved to be one of the most
interesting features of the days proceed
ings. Mr.. Rayner pressed his questions
persistently but the admiral did not at
any time compromise in his contention
that he was competent to sit as a judge
in this inquiry Before the questioning
began Admiral Howison remarked that
ha moi Hncsipo 70 on ia+r1
discussion, to which Mr.. Rayner re.
Piled:
81 will not go into any private matters
at all, admiral; but the matter of wheth-
er or not you had those conversations
with these gentlemen is one which we
will have to go into. / will not encroach
at all on anything that is improper.
will be very careful about that; because
this is no Impeachment of your capacity
or integrity, either 1t is merely q
question of whether your mind is made
up on certain subjects in connection with
this matter
He then asked the admiral concerning
Mr. Frost's statement that he (Howison)
had said that Admiral Sampson deserved
the credit for winning the battle of San
tiago.
Il want to know" he said, whether
or not you ever said that to Mr. Frost
Maybe did, the admiral replied,
reflectively,. and continued: eff he was
commander-in-chief, r probably did say
so-not only to Mr. Frost, but to others
| am merely talking now of the navy or
ders and regulations, and the customs
of the service
Being questioned as to his statement
concerning Mr.. Spon's testimony, the ad.
miral replied that he not only did not
remember Mr.. Spons face, but said that
he had no recollection whatever of the
incident concerning which that witness
had. testified. rrhe admiral so