The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-07-25
10 DEMAND AN inquiry
REAR ADMIRAL scHLEY W.T..
ASK INVESTIGATION BY a
NAVAL COURT.
CASE WILL BE CELEBRATED

High Rank of Officers Involved and
Intense Public Feeling Gives 1t a
Dramatic Interest-AdmiraI Dewey
and Rear AdmiraIs Ramsey and
Benham Will Probably Conduct the
Proceedings. .-..~...., :.
Washington, July 24.-The Wash
dngton Post telegraphed Admiral
Schley that in an editorial it insisted
he owed it to himself as we'll as to his
friends to begin proceedings against
Mr.. MacLay, the author Of the history
of the United States navy, to disprove
the latter's charge, adding:
"Win you do this? Please wire
statement" l.
1t has received the following tele-
gram from Admiral Schley: -
81 believe the first step should be
an investigation of all matter by a
court, then a civil action afterwards.
I am preparing to take this course
The Post, as a result of extensive
inquiries based upon the admirals
dispatch, says in part:
Admiral Schley proposes to ask an
investigation at the hands of a naval
court of inquiry and then to sue His
torian MacLay for libel. His action
is the sequel to the developments dur
Ing the past week, when the entire
country has been stirred by the publ
cation of the unexampled abuse
poured out upon him in the third vol
ume of 3. S. MacLay's history of the
United States navy, in which publica-
ton Schley is said to have run away
in caitiff fright and is, in addition,
denounced as coward, a cur and a
traitor. The Schley court of inquiry
will undoubtedly be
One of>the Most Celebrated Cases
in the naval or military history of the
country. The high rank of the officers
involved in the controversy and the
intense public feeling which has been
aroused will combine to give to the
investigation a dramatic interest.
Nothing has occurred in Washington
for many years that will compare
with it.
Admiral Schley's letter asking for
the appointing of a court is addressed
to Secretary Long, his immediate SUI
perior officer. The ignoring of Secre-
tary Long would not only be breach
of etiquette, but at variance with the
secretary's careful observance of
punctillious procedure. The court,
therefore, will he named by Secretary
Long unless he prefer to refer the
matter to the president Secretary
Long has already stated that if Ad-
miral Schley requested an inquiry he
would appoint court and has ex-
pressed his willingness to personally
select the court
Although he has made no announce
ment in regard to the selection of the
court members there is reason to be-
lieve he will select Admiral Dewey,
Rear Admirals Ramsey and Benham,
the two latter being now upon the re-
tired list.
With respect to the matters to be
inquired into by the court of inquiry
The Post says that it might be adi1rs
cult to state briefly the exact ques-
lions which
Viii! Come Before the Court,
but that Admiral Schley condensed
them in letter written to Senator
Hale, chairman of the senate commit
tee on naval affairs, Feb 10, 1899.
This letter divided the criticisms of
himself into four heads as follows:
First-The alleged delay off Cien-
fuegos, Cuba.
Second-The alleged slow progress
towards Santiago de Cuba from Cien-
fuegos
Third-The retrogade movements
on the 26th and 9th Of May (this re-
fers to the returning of the feet from
Santiago toward Key West).
Fourth-The battle of Santiago and
the destruction of Cervera's fleet.
It is to be expected, says The Post,
that Admiral, Schley in his letter to
the secretar. requesting a court of in
curry will specify these grounds of
criticism and that Secretary Long
will, in turn, repeat them in his orders
assembling the court.
A court of inquiry differs from a.
courtmartial in that it has no power to
inflict sentence. 1t is organized
simply for the purpose Of Investigate
ing questions of fact, but it has ample
power to make the inquiry complete
and exhaustive. The sessions of the
court will undoubtedly be open, al
though it's members have the power
to alter this.
SCHLEY SAYS LITTLE.