The Washington times., 1901-08-03
RELIEVED OF COURT DUTY.
Rear Admiral kimberly's Re-
quest to Be Excused Granted.
He VIII Not Take Part in the Schley
Enquiry - Correspondence Mnde
Public - AdmirnIs Ramsay and
Kautz Mentioned for the Vacancy.

Inc request fndue DN rear AuHilfdi L.
A Kimberly to be relieved from serv-
ing on the SchIey Court of Enquiry
was formally granted yesterday by the
Navy Department. Ill health is stat
ed as the reason assigned by Ad-
miral Kimberly for asking to be excused
from this duty. While the department
very much regrets to excuse him, his re-
quest was cheerfully granted, in view of
quest was cheerfully granted, under the
Admiral Kimberlys let
ter and the reply of the Acting Secretary,
Frank w. Hackett. We're made public yes
terday The former is as follows:
West Newton, Mass. July %. 1901.
Sir: | have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of rescript OF a Court of
Enquiry which is to convene on the
18th of September, in which | am nam
ed as a member. L regret to have to
request that ] may be detached from
said duty, owing to disability from
weak heart and its attending compli-
cations, being under medical treat
ment for the same.
Much to my modification, this is
the first department order that L am
unable to honor during a naval life
OF fifty-tlve years. / am, very re-
spectfully. your obedient servant,
Il. A. KIMBERLY,
Rear Admiral. U. S. ". tretiredl.
John ID. Long, Secretary of the Ma
Wy. Washington. d. c."
MIR. Hacketts reply follows:
Navy Department,
Washington, Aug. 2, 1901.
Sir: The department is in receipt
of your letter of 18th of July, eX-
pressing a regret on your part at be-
ing obliged to ask that you may be
detached from the duty of serving
upon the Court of Enquiry convened
the 18th of September next. The de-
partment learns with regret that you
are suffering from weak heart and
Its attending complications. for which
you are under medical treatment
Such being the case, the department
is reluctantly compelled 20 grant your
request.
Your letter continues-'much to my
modification. this is the first depart
ment order that l am unable to honor
during a naval life of fifty-five years
Let me hasten to assure you that
there is no cause for modification at
this incident. on the contrary, it af-
fords an opportunity of which the de-
partment gladly avails itself to con-
gratulate you for record SO loyal to
the service. Moreover. this record
amply justifies the wisdom of the
Secretary of the Navy in assigning to
you the grave and conspicuous duty
of serving upon the court.
that your health Will continue to i'm
prove so that in future should less
arduous duty be required of you you
may be fully able to respond.
Very respectfully.
f w. HACKETT.
Acting Secretary"
Rear Admiral l.. A. Kimberly. L. s.
Navy, retired. West Newton, Mass"
The Navy Department is experiencing
trouble in selecting some
one to take Admiral Kimberlys place on
the Court of Enquiry Secretary Long
desires, If possible. to name some rear
admiral on the retired list and while
there are about forty of these officers. 1t
is difficult to find one acceptable under
the circumstances. Many of them are
from such service by rea-
son of old age and physical disabilities
and among those who would not be bar
red by these conditions it is difficult to
find one who has not at some time or
other expressed some bias in the Schley
matter.
Probably a majority of them have stat
ed opinions indicating prejudice against
Schley. Such is said to be the case in
regard to Rear Admiral Luce, who was at
one time favorably considered as an avail
able member. It is now practically cer-
tain that he will not be chosen When
the court was being made up Secretary
Long looked with considerable favor, upon
Rear Admiral Francis NJ. Ramsay, but for
some unknown reason he was not select
ed
1t is now thought that he may be as
signed to take Admiral kimberiys place.
Secretary Long has expressed himself as
determined to appoint court which shall
be fair and impartial.
The name of Rear Admiral Albert
Kautz. who was retired on January 81,
1901. is being favorably mentioned. He is
not known to have expressed any opinion
in the Schley controversy and is held in
high regard.