Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-07-27

tion-Rear Admirals Taking Civil
Proceedings simultaneously With
the Naval Considered Shrewd, as
the Former Will Undoubtedly See
His Case in Favorable Light.
Washington, July o. Secretary Long,
in accordance with Il request from Adj
mirnl Schlcy, has advised that officer
that he will order II court of inquiry to
examine into the entire matter of Ad-
miral Schlry's coul :" in the Santiago
naval campaign. Later the secretary
announced that. owing TO lhcrNlrrmrly
hot weather the court would not meet
until September. aud that he would turn
over his reception room To the court.
The secretary said:
1T is too hot now, and ! do not believe
il would be very comfortable for officers
10 sit in their heavy fun dress uniforms
during August. | ISSUED N. order IN"
time ago dispensing with the wrnring"t
full dress uniforms during n court mar
tial but this case will be 50 important
that every form of official dignity viii
be observed. even 70 the guard of ma
rineS at the door,
Congress. in 1888. established the prin-
ciplc that no courl-mHrtial could he held
two years after the occurrence under in
vestigation. This is known us the ma
val statute of Limitation. and while it
bars Il court martial relating To the san.
tingO campaign. ii does not bar the court
of inquiry. In this ease the court of
inquiry would he effective only in rS
tablShing records. and would not be pre-
lininary to Il court martial.
An important feature in the order ,l
rrcting the court is that SprcifyiD"
W neither it shall state only the facts
found. on shall also give an opinion
based on the facts. Unless the order
expressly requires the court To give their
opinion they ar" confined 10 stating the
facts found. II is considered quite prob
able. however, that in ease of this i'm
portanr" the order would direct the
court to record its opinion as well as lis
conclusion Of facts.
Schley'S proceedings simultaneously
In the civil courts is cunSidrreda n Shrrwd
move. Whatever may prevent his OBJ
tanning rAOneratiOn at the hands of his
brother officers. 1t is assumed that Il
civil jury would give him the benefit of
all the technical doubts and award him
damages on the mere strength of the
violence of the terms used in Ienounc-
ing him; so that he will br able to point
to Il clean bill of health" from Il tribunal
free from professional jcalouSies.
Secretary Long yesterday received the
letter from Admiral Schley. asking for
Il court of inquiry. In his letter to the
specify any of the criticisms to which
he takes exceptions. Dut asks in view
of the statements and innirndOcS and
abusive language contained in Mnclny'S
history, which he says he does not con
slider worthy of Use in any college in tn
country. that a court or inquiry OF the
CENTRE matter" be held.
Secretary Long has replied to the let
ter. saying that under the crciIm-
stances" he heartily approves Admiral
Schlcys course. and that the depart
mcnt will ac, favorably upon Admiral
Schlpys request.
1t is stated that Admiral Dewey lln-
dOubcdly will be at the head of the
court of inquiry. 1t is not the intrn-
ton of Secretary Long to have tn" court
convened ut once. hut to wait until til"
weather becomes cooler.
There is much speculation as to tn"
members Of tlc court other than Adj
miral Dewey. Secretary Long himself
says there Is no warrant for the an
nouncrment of any particular name rs
he still! has the question under advise.
mrnt. He has been making inquiries
as to the advsablity of certain officers
and ii Is understood that some t,lr.
graphic inquiries have been made OF
those absent from the city. to Sec if
there Is any reason why they should not
serve.
Washington. July ~. Representative
Nudd of Maryland. II member of the
committee on naval affairs in the last
house Of representatives called on See
retary Long yesterday and represented
10 him the improprir1y OF T.. 5. MHrlay
continuing an employr of the govern
ment in view of the iangungr of which
he made use Of in his history in rrflrin.
to Admiral Schley The secretary prom
ised to give the matter his early atten.
tion.