Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-25

less of who may be injured. The position
is considered an extremely difficult one to
had been selected for the command of the
training ship Prairie, which is about to be
put in mcomsiSion.
While the sessions of the court will be
open. the court will exercise the right,
which it has, of closing the doors for con-
sultatiOn. and for the discussion of dis
puted evidence.
Where Sessions VIII BE Held.
The sessions of the court will be held in
the large chamber formerly used as the
private office of the Secretary of the Navy.
This is now used an ante-roem to the
office of the Secretary and assistant sec
retary. 1t is very spacious. and the walls
are hung with portraits of the distinguish
ed men who have directed the affairs of
the navy during the past. One of the chief
ornaments of the room is a superb bronze
head of Christopher Columbus, taken from
the Spanish cruiser Cristobol Colon, after
the battle of Santiago, which is now one
of the issues of the present controversy.
A signal lamp of the Maria Teresa, two
large bronze hinges from another of the
Spanish cruisers are further reminders Of
the Santiago campaign.
why Meeting is Deferred.
1t is owing to the heated term now pre-
vailing that the Secretary deferred the
meeting of the court until September. On
this point the Secretary said:
1T is too hot now, and 1 d. not think
it would be very comfortable for officers
to sit in their heavy full-dress uniforms
during August. l issued an order some
time ago dispensing with the wearing of
full-dresS uniforms during court-martiai.
but this case will be so important that
every form of official dignity will be OBJ
served, even to the guard of marines at
the door. 1 propose to give the court the
use of the large reception room adjoining
my office, which is a convenient and COM
modious place.
"Will the sessions of the court be open?"
Cnquestionably," was the emphatic re-
ply. Il propose to make that fact very
plain. 1t would be a great mistake to have
a secret court The country has a right to
know all that transpires in the way of
testimony offered 1 do not believe that the
session of the court will be prolonged. be-
cause. after all. a great deal of the talk
over the Santiago campaign is like the
genii's vapor, which can be condensed into
a small bottle"
VIII Admiral Schley be allowed to name
Admiral Schley.'' was the reply, will be
afforded every opportunity for the appear
ance of all the witnesses he may desire.
He Is also entitled, under the naval regu-
1ations. to be represented by counsel"
While Secretary Long was not asked
whether the court of inquiry would be ask
ed to form and submit opinion of the
facts disclosed by the investigation it is
will be pursued. Unless the order conven-
ing the court expressly requires this opin-
ion to be expressed, its report must be con-
fined to stating the facts found
Probable Points of Inquiry.
The court probably will be instructed by
Secretary Long to inquire especially with
reference to these points: Did Admiral
Schley unnecessarily delay his departure
from Cienfuegos for Santiago de Cuba,
where he was advised that the Spanish
fleet had taken refuge?
Was Admiral Schley guilty of reprehensi-
BILE conduct in Issuing orders for, and start
ing with, the squadron under his command
for Key West after having arrived south
of Santiago de Cuba?
If not guilty of reprehensible conduct
did ne not commit grave error Of judg-
ment?
Was Admiral schley justified In lombard
ing the harbor of Santiago after he finally
reached that point at range Of more than
five miles?
1t is evident from the list of matters
which the court will have to investigate
,hat 1t Will enter upon more serious and
lengthy inquiry. The navy regulations pro-
vide that courts of inquiry shall have
power to summon witnesses, administer
oaths and punish contempts, in the same
manner as court-martial; but they shall
only state fac<s, and shall not give their
opinion unless expressly requested to do SO
In the order for converting"
Some Probable Witnesses.
Admiral Sampson, who will, next to Ad-
mlral Schley, be the principal figure at the
inquiry, Is stationed at the Boston navy
yard The captains of the vessels partici-
pating in the Santiago battle are widely
scattered. Captain Cook of the Brooklyn
is at Newport; Captain Clark Of the Ore
gon is at League Island; Captain Chad
wick of -.dmiral SIMPSONS flagship, the
New York, is at Newport; Rear Admiral
H. e. Taylor of the Indiana, now a mem
be1 Of the general board, is at the Brook
lyn navy yard: Rear Admiral Evans is
member of the board of inspection and
survey in this city, but is now off on a
yachting trip; Captain Higginson of the
Massachusetts is commander of the North
Atlantic squadron: Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright of the Gloucester Is superin-
tendent of the Naval Academy at An
napolis; Lieutenant Sharp of the Vixen IS
executive officer of the Hartford, which is
Philip of the Texas is Dead Commander
John A. Rodgers, who was executive officer
of the Indiana, and Is now lighthouse in
spector at Charleston, S. c., and Com
mander S. P Comfy, navigator of the In
diana, now In command of the Alliance
There are other officers who occupied
subordinate positions. but whose testimony
will be important, who will have to be
summoned to Washington to give evidence
before the court Lieutenant Staunton, who
was SIMPSONS flag lieutenant is now COM
manding the Yankton, in Porto Rican
waters: Lieutenant Commander Sears, who
was Schley's flag lieutenant, is at the hy-
geographic office in New York; Lieutenan
Wells, Schley's secretary, Is on the kear-
sarge. while Lieutenant Marsh, Sampson's
secretary. is on the Mayfower; Lieut. A.
c. Hodgson. who was the navigator Of the
Brooklyn, is now at Newport. OF the vari-
Gus executive officers of vessels Lieut.
Com. Seaton Schroeder. who occupied that
position on the Massa chusetts, is at Guam.
while Executive Officer Harber of the
Texas Is naval attache at Paris
Schley Has Nothing to Say,
NEW YORK, July 25.-Rear Admiral
Schley is spending the day with his fam
lily at Great Neck, L. l. II am resting"
he said to an Associated Press represen-
tative, "and have nothing to say as to the
proposed inquiry in the Santiago contro-
versy."
CAPT. COOK TALKS.
important Statements as to the LOOP
and Signals.
special dispatch to the Baltimore Sum-
Ia t,