The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-25
LETTER FROM SCHLEY
HIS REPLY To ASSISTANT SECRE-
TARY OF THE NAVY HAcKETT.
Says His Motive I'm Calling Attention
to the Alleged Howison Inter-
80 view Was Misconstrued.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 24-Acting Secre-
tary OF the Navy Hackett to-day received
the reply OF Admiral Schley to the letter
recently submitted 10 him by the depart
ment declining to question Rear Admiral
Howison as to the authenticity Of the al
legged interview with him rejecting upon
Admiral Schley. The reply was sent TO
Captain Lemly. Judge advocate of the
court OF inquiry. This means that so far
as the department is concerned further ac-
ton on the Howiso incident will not be
taken. that being left TO the court. The
correspondence follows:
washington, Aug. 81.
Sir have TO acknowledge the receipt
of the departments letter of this date, in
reply 10 my communication of the 18th inst.
"Second-While IT is true that one of my
counsel, Captain Parker, in reply to an
Inquiry made TO him, did give his personal
opinion OF the several rear admirals on
the active and retired lists, among whom
vas Rear Admiral Howison i am assured
by him that he believes the secretary mis-
understood him that any one Of the Of
tory to me. Captain Parker's conversa-
ton was had at a time when nothing was
known. OF the alleged interview as pub
nshed In the Record.
"Third-In my letter Of the 18th inst. I
expressly stated my. opinion of the high
personal character of Rear Admiral Howl
son. and 1 avoided any expression of opin-
Ion as to the truth of the made
In the newspaper clipping which i fnclosed.
"Fourth-It was the desire To avoid the
necessity OF making "A formal challenge
that i requested the department TO lay be-
fore Admiral HOwison the statements that
he is alleged to have made and thus give
him the opportunity to take such action as
his sense of the propriety of the occasion
might suggest.
Fifth therefore respectfully state that
the department has not placed the proper
construction on my letter when IL treated
II In the nature OF a preliminary challenge
for cause L could not challenge for cause
until i discovered there was a cause, and
the object OF my communication as Is evil
dent on It's face. was TO ascertain IL Rear
You will observe in this connection that In
his original statement he says, L have
made no public utterance relating TO this
subject / submit this private utterance
would affect his qualification as much as
his public utterances, and my request was
only to have this alleged interview SUBJ
mitted for his consideration.
Rear Admiral u. s. n.
THE Secretary of the Navy. Navy De-
partment, Washington, ID. C."
Navy Department. Washington. Aug. "a.
"Sir-Tho receipt OF your letter of the 2ist
Inst. explanatory OF what was designed
by your former letter of the 18th, on the
subject of the competency Of Rear Ad-
miral Howison TO sit as a member of the
court of inquiry convened at your instance,
is acknowledged.
"F. w. HACKETT, Acting Secretary.
Rear Admiral Winfield S. Schley, United
States Navy, Washington"
Under the direction of Judge Advocate
Lemly the list of witnesses TO be sum-
moned before the Schley court of inquiry
Is being prepared. An incomplete list will
be sent to Admiral Schley not later than
witnesses will be added TO the list before
the court cOnVenes.