Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-07-31
SEEKS 81: s IND1cAr1ON.
Secretary Long Grants schley's Re.
quest Tor Investigation of His
Course During Santiago Battle.

g
Washington, j July Is. - Secretary
Long, in accordance with request
from Admiral 'Schley, on Wednes day
advised that officer tina t. he would order
a court of inquiry:to examine into the
entire matter of Admiral Schley's
course in: the Santiago naval campaign.
Later the secretary announced that
owing to the extremely not weather
the court would not meet until Sep
TENDER and that he would turn over
his reception room to the court. The
secretary said:,
1T is too hot now and do not believe it
would be very comfortable for officers to sit
IN their heavy full dress uniforms during
August. I issued an order some time ago
dispensing with the wearing of full dress
uniforms during a court-martial, but this
case will be SO important that every form
of official dignity will be observed. even to
the guard of marines at the door. propose
to give the court the use of the large recep-
ton room adjoining my office. which is a
convenient and commodious place"
will the sessions of the court be open ?"
/ Enthusiastically" was the emphatic re-
ply. Il propose to make that fact very
plain. 1t would be great mistake to have
secret court. The country has the right to
know all that transpires in the way Of tes-
timony offered,
will Admiral Schley be allowed to name
witne
niral Schley," was the reply. will
be afforded every opportunity for the ap-
pearance Of all the witnesses he may de-
sire. He Is also entitled under the naval
regulations. to be represented by counsel"
Admiral Schley's letter is as fol-
lows:
"Great Neck, L. l., July 90 19o1.-Sir:
Within the past few days series Of press
CONNIE nts have been sent to me from vari-
Gus parts of the country of book entitled
The History of the Navy written by one
Edgar Stanton Maclay. From these re-
views it appears that this edition is third
volume of the said history extepded to
include the late war with Spain, which the
first volumes did not contain, and were in
use as text books at the naval academy.
''2. From excerpts quoted In some re-
views, in which the page and paragraph are
given, there is such perversion of facts,
misconstr,ction Of intention, such intern
perate abuse and defamation OF myself
which subjects Mr.. Maclay to action in
civil law. While I admit the right of
fair criticism of every public Of
ficer, I must protest against the low
lent, partisan opponent, who has infused
into the pages Of his book SO much of the
malice of uEfairness as to make it I'M
worthy the name of history or of use in any
reputable institution of the country.
49, I have refraired heretofore from all
comment upon the innuendoes of enemies
muttered or murmured in secret, and there
fore with safety to themselves. l think
the time has now come to take such action
as may bring this entire matter under dis
cussion under the clearer and calmer re-
view of my brothers in arms, and to this
end l ask such action at the hands of the
department as it may deem best to accom-
pllsh this purpose.
II. But I would express the request in
this connection that whatever the action
may be that It occur In Washington, where
most of my papers and data are stored.
Very respectfully, w. S. SCHLEY.
= "Rear Admiral U. s. NJ
ITO the Secretary Of the Navy, Washing
ton. D. CO.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral
SchleX as follows:
Navy Department. Washington. July
"a. 19O1.-Sir: I am in receipt Of yours of
the 22d inst, with reference to the criti-
clsms upon you in connection with the
Spanish American war, and heartily ap-
prove OF your action, under the circum-
stances, In asking at the hands of this de-
partment such action as may bring this
entire matter under discussion under the
cledIeT ana amer review OF my brothers in
arms.
THE departemnt will proceed in accord
ance with your request. Very respectfully,
(Signed) JOHN d. LONG.
Rear Admiral w. S. Schley, U. S. NJ"
New York, July 25.-Edgar S.
Maclay, who criticised Rear Admiral
Schley in a history of the United
States navy, said Wednesday:
1T is the proper course for Rear Ad-
miral Schley to demand court ofinGuiry.
1t is his only means of vindication. After
this court has determined upon his case,
then he can bring suit. 1t is needless for
me to comment further upon Rear Admiral
Schley's record
Boston, July 25.-Rear Admiral
Sampson said Wednesday,:
Il am glad that Rear Admiral Schley has
asked Secretary Long for an investigati on
/ hope, if there is an investigation, it will
be thorough one, and that not a detail
of anything that has been in dispute will
be avoided blythe Investigating board
'This whole business is inspired by mall
ice, but now perhaps it may be all investi-
gated, and, if it is, the people of the United
States will know all the facts.''
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