The age-herald., 1901-07-24
The Historian DeROunces the Gallant Sailor as a CoW-
 ard, a Cur and Traitor
COURT or INQUIRY WANTED
Secretary Long Will Be Asked to Name Members of the Court-After the Finding Admiral Schley Will
 Probably Bring Civil Suit.

Washington, July 2s.-The Post last night telegraphed Admiral Schley that in an editorial it insisted that he owed 1t to himself as we'll as to his friends to begin proceedings against Mir Maclay, the author of the history of the United States navy, to disprove the latter's charge, add ing:
 twill you do this? Please wire state ment.'
 Today the Post received the following telegram:
 "Great Neck, L. l., July 23.-Editor Washington Post:
 "I believe the first step should be in- vestigation of all matters by court, then civil action afterwards. I am prepar- ing to take this course.
 1Signed) w. s. SCHLEY." The Post in the morning as a result of extensive inquiries based on the admiral's dispatch will say in part:
 Admiral Schley proposes to ask an in- vestigation at the hands of a naval court of inquiry and then to sue Historian Maclay for libel.
 His action is the sequel to the develop snents during the past week when the entire country has been stirred by the publication of the unexampled abuse poured out upon him in the third volume of E. s. Maclay's Histor of the United States Navy, In which Admiral Schley is said to have run away "in caitiff flight and is in addition denounced as a coward, a cur and a traitor.
 "The Schley court of inquiry will un- doubtedly be one of the most celebrated in naval or military history of the coun- try. The high rank of the officers in- volved In the controversy. and the in- tense public feeling which has been aroused will combine to give the investi- gation a dramatic interest. Nothing has occurred in Washington for many years that will compare with it.
 "The appointment of the court of in quiry Is expected to be made by Secre- tary Long, though 1t would be in the power of the President to make the se- lections if he chose. This is hardly likely to occur, however
 Will Address Secretary Long.
 Admiral Schley's letter asking for the appointment of court will be addressed
  chief. To address the communication to the President, ignoring Secretary Long, would not only be breach of naval eti- quette but would be totally at variance with Schley's careful observance of pune tilious procedure.
 'The court therefore will be named by Secretary Long unless he shall prefer to refer the matter to the President.
 'Secretary Long has stated that if Ad- mral Schley requested a court of inquiry he will grant the request, and he has also expressed his willingness to personally se- feet the court. While he has not made any statement as to It's personnel, there is every reason to believe that he favors Admiral Dewey and Rear Admirals Ram sey and Benham, the two latter being now on the retired list The name of Ad- iniral Walker has been suggested, but it is known that he expressed views on the sampson-Schley controversy in antagon- ism to Schley and his appointment would thus be questioned It Is said that Dewey, Ramsey and Benham have always care fully avoided giving an opinion as to the merits of the controversy. All these off, cers are residents of ashington, although temporarily out of the city to escape the heat, but could be quickly summoned to take their place around the table of the court
 Three names are mentioned, but that number is specified in the naval regula- tions for courts of inquiry. There is pos Dibilty that Admiral Dewey will ask to be excused, which he has a right to do, but it is said that if he is specifically de- tailed by the Secretary to be on the board, it will make his attendance inn perative. Secretary Long has from the moment that a court of inquiry was sug- gested favored the appointment of Ad- irQI hfli haf 10 Inf ment would give character to the court and that any decision which 1t might reach would be accepted by the Ameri- san people.
 Admiral Dewey was for eight years at the head of the bureau of navigation.
 Admiral Benham came into promi- hence in 1894 during the brief revolution against President Fonca of Brazil. The Brazilian navy, under Admirals Mello and Degama, had revolted and Degama, in command of the Brazilian ships in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, had declared . blockade. Admiral Benham was in the harbor with an American fleet con- sisting of the New York, Charleston. Detroit, Newark and San Francisco. All the Europeans had quietly submitted to the Degama government, the German commander even failing to res, ~t the de- liberate firing upon the Germ.-- flag. Rut Admiral Benham sent word to Dega-
 
 spected and that any merchantmen fly ing the stars and stripes would land where hs pleased. The Brazilian Admiral defed the American. Thereupon Benham told him that American ships would be conveyed into the harbor and then he ordered his fleet cleared for action while the Detroit conveyed the bark Army up 10 her wharf Degama fired upon the hark and the next moment solid shot was put into the Trajanao, Degama's and therafter every American ship enter cd the harbor at will.
 Difficult Question.
 with respect to the matters to be in- Post will say that it might be difficult to state briefly the exact question which will come before the court. but that Ad- niral Schleyi condensed them In letter written to Senator Hale, chairman of the ' Senate committee of naval affairs. Febru- \ery IS. 1898. This letter divided the