The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-26
Trouble Between Marine Corps OH
GERS, which Also VIII BE Investi-
gated by a Naval Board.
TRADE WITH PORTO RICO FREE
PROCLAIM STION ISSUED by THE
PRESIDENT YESTERDAY.
Unrestricted Commerce Between the
Island and the United states
Observation-Disclosures

WASHINGTON. July 25.-The board Of
inquiry which is 10 investigate the con-
troversial points in connection with Ad-
miral Schleys conduct during the Span
ish war Will be composed of Admiral
Dewey. president of the court and Rear
Admirals Lewis a. Kimberly and Andrew
T.. X. Benham, If the men named will act.
The court will meet at the Navy Depart
ment i'm Washington. Sept u. Secretary
Long announced these facts to-day. The
Judge advocate OF the court has not yet
been selected. and the precept to the court,
which is being prepared by Captain Lemly.
fudge advocate general, has not yet been
completed The scope of the inquiry will
not be known until the precept and order
for the convening OF the court are is
sued. 1t is expected they will be promul
gated by the department tomorrow Sec
retary Long says however. that the pro-
ceedings will be open, and the widest lati-
tude will be permitted in the matter OF
witnesses. and that Admiral Schley will
be represented by counsel. The secretary
had nothing to say about the composition
OF the court. except that he thought it
spoke for itself, and to express the hope
that the members chosen would be salts
factory TO all concerned. lie pointed out
that none OF the officers chosen had. so
far known. expressed an opinion con-
cerning what is known as the Sampson
Schley controversy. and it was TO be pre-
sumed that they would enter upon their
work in an impartial and unprejudiced
spirit.
The members OF the court distinctive
ly fighting men. Each has been connected
with celebrated event in naval annals.
bay, IL Is unnecessary to speak His record
Is familiar 10 all. His associates, Rear
Admiral kimberly and Rear Admiral Ben
ham. are both retired officers. The former
was retired In 1892 and the latter in 1884.
Admiral Kimberly is seventy-one years
old and Admiral Benham sixtynine years.
Each saw over fOrty-hve years of active
service. Both had fine records during the
civil war. The great event with which
Admiral Kimberly name Is associated Is
the destruction or the American fleet In
the harbor OF Apia, Samoa. during the
terrific hurricane which occurred there
In 1883. Admiral Kimberly had been sent
10 Samoa at the head of an American
squadron during the trying period OF our
no5SuotaJ bisis baTnraS ~ syorrn u ,,iah r@h
marked dignity and ability. When the
hurricane occurred his entire squadron was
destroyed and the Nipsic was cast ashore.
The story OF that great disaster and the
1s 1espss u,splayeu ps the d,rac,;an az
miral Kimberly thrilled the whole world
and made an impression never to be for
gotten.
Admiral Benham played a dramatic part
at Rio de JanierO during the great naval
revolution i'm 1891. the particulars of which
were recOuntcd m these dispatches few
d.
Ali day Secretary Long was ongrossed in
COL..uS. ta44s ga COuEt,
seeking particularly tor u suitaCle Judge
advocate. realizing that upon this officer
wouiG devolve the largest measure OF re-
sponsibllity for the conduct Of the inquiry
TO successful issue. Ii was thought that
such man had been found in the person
OF Commander John r. Pillsbury, sailor
who has the brightest reputation profess
sionally and is moreover regarded > of a
judicial temperament. In fact IL was an
nouneed early in the day that he had been
selected for the place. But later, on more
mature consideration his name was aban-
doned. IL was recalled that, as commander
OF the dynamite cruiser NesuVius, he had
served under Sampson off Santiago and
moreover. as equipment officer fer the Bos-
ton navy yard was now again subor-
dinate OF the same admiral. In his desire
TO escape all criticism on the point or bias
Secretary Long felt that these were reasons
sufficient for looking out for new material
and for some man who was absolutely dis
associated from the great controversy in
Late this afternoon he decided that he
had found such an officer IN persons or
Capt samuel G Lemly. the judge advo-
cate general OF the navy. a selection cal
culated because of the rank OF the officer TO
and Importance OF the forthcoming court OF
inquiry. While IL cannot be said that the
matter is absolutely settled. Secretary
he felt free 10 accept the assignment ii il
were offered TO him. and it is believed that
Capt. Lemly will decide TO answer af-
firmatvey. Capt. Lemly would feel hurt
20 have IL even intimated that he had any
personal feelins whatever in the Schley-
Sampson controversy. In ali the time he
has beer at the head OF the legal depart
ment OF the navy. his service dating back TO
upon any question that involved either
sampson or Schley In any personal aspect
lie has known both men. Schley better than
Sampson, perhaps. He was one OF Schley =
personal friends when he Uemlv) was in
active line service He accompanied Schlev
on the famous Greeley relief expedition ana
he rendered valuable services 10 him on
that occasion. which service the senior Off
Ger recognized. on the other hand Cant
Leuly has known Sampson officially in the
Navy Department, when the admiral was
at the head OF the Ordnance Bureau and
they thus were thrown into close contact
In business point OF view FOR several
Captain LemIy had arranged to depart
from Washington on his annual leave on
trip through Canada some time in August
Snculd ne accpet this new trust. he VIII
arrange 10 leave on an earlier date I'm or
der 10 return IN season 10 study this cele-
brated case before the court meets Sent l.
Moreover. the clerical force of the Judge
advocates department can prepare the mass
or documentary evidence necessary for ,,-e
before the court and witnesses from points
distant may he summoned Under the or
dlnary rules OF practice the judge advo-
the proceedings OF courts-martiai and
courts Of inquiry Secretary Long has
Rr99niseg, csptein, LsInly that n he acts a.
be exempted from the duty or reviewing
the proceeding Captain Lemly wos Judge
advocate Of the Jeannette court OF INQUIRY
The precept % the court probably viii he
Issued tomorrow. Ii promises to be
rather extended statement OF the scope OF
the inquiry compared with such documents
IN less important cases IL VIII define the
scope or the inquiry but whether il viii d.