New-York tribune., 1901-09-13

Jaw boot Mr. Rayror said that the issue could not
be- argued until Admiral Howison had been heard
from.
Judge Advocate Lemly maintained that Admiral
IIowison could make statement II he desired
either before after the arguments
Admiral Howison settled the matter however,
by reaching for his cap and whispering to AG-
miral Dewey. The latter then announced that Al
miraI Howson would make his response once
Thereupon Admiral Howison withdrew to the pri-
vate apartments in the rear and the court took an
informal recess.
ADMIRAL HoWIsON's REPLY.
The court remained absent frcm the room for
about fifteen minutes and WREN 1t reconvened Ad-
miral How!son presented his reply TO the charges
made against him His statement was typewritten
and ) follows:
Mr. President and Gentlemen In reply to the
objection TO me member Of this court l
submit a copy OF my personal letter TO the Hon
Frank w. Hackett, which has been made public
by the Navy Department Mr.. Frost. THINK
| is answered in this letter above referred 10.
Mr.. Spons statement is one l cannot father
| ! positively do not remember his face at ali.
/ Mr.. Frost's face is familiar although have
| not him for two years or more, and Mr.
Spon by his statement only last October
| Mr Nichols did call at my house at Yonkers
| on a very hot day his own business. He
| would take NO admittance' for an answer.
| and during his stay he lid discuss with me
| Sampson Schley much talked of affair. Our
| talk short. l desired him TO leave me in
peace
/ desire to say that I am. as you know here
| TO obey the orders OF the department to report
| TO you for duty member of this court; 1t
| is not optional with me to obey not obey
| these orders. My commission requires obedl-
! ence These orders were not sought by me- nor
| are they agreeable ones but have been taught
| obedience TO all lawful orders by my long SER
| vice in the navy.
| do not propose 10 enter into the subject OF
| my private discussions l do not wish TO recall
| for The Information of the public what has been
| said to me by acquaintances. IN tact, II wouId
| be difficult task 20 perform Private utter
| ances are not long retained. particularly when
there Is no personal interest in the matters un-
| der discussion.
| sincerely hope that during the examination
| OF my eligibility FOR membership. should there
| be any doubtful points in the minds Of the un-
| objected members of this court. that all such
! points be decided in favor OF Admiral Schley
| who is the one most particularly concerned IN
| the investigation to follow. l will accept my
| detachment. AS / have my orders FOR this duty
| as officer should.
! have no personal feelings and no personal
interests In the matters TO come before the
| court except the interest have for the good
of the service. | have great faith in the impair
| tiaIity and Justice OF naval officers serving or
| courts. and sincerely hope that the results
| finally obtained may he satisfactory 10 our navy
and to our country Respectfully,
II. l.. HOWISON, Rear Admiral, L. s. y.
Solicitor Hanna. as a further part OF the ad
mlrars reply read his letter OF explanation to AS
sistant Secretary Hackett, made public some day
ago.
EXAMINED BY sCHLEY's COUNSEL.
! Mr. Raynor asked permission interrogate Ad
mirai Howison. The court granted permission, an'
the examination proved TO be one OF the most in
terestlng features of the days proceedings. Mr.
Raynor pressed his questions perststently. but tn
| admiral did not at any time make any compromis
in his contention that he was COMPETENT to sit a
a Judge in this inquiry. Before tie questionini
began Admiral Howison remarked that he did no
desire into any private discussion. 10 Whlcl
Mr.. Raynor replied:
l will not go into any private matters at all m mad
mral but the matter Of whether or not you ha
which we will have to go into. l will not encroac
at all anything that is improper VIII be yer
OF your capacity or integrity; either II is mereI
a question OF whether your mind is made up on Ger
tain subjects in connection with this matter
He then asked the admiral concerning Mr.. Frost
statement that he Howison) had said that Admira
Sampson deserved the credit for winning the bat
tie of Santiago.
| Il want to know. he said. Whether OF not yo
| ever said that TO Mr. Frost?
.Mavbe I did" the admiral replied, rehectivey
and continued; IF he was commahdsr@oin @ -chlet me ,
probably did say so-not only to MT b pvt or
ders and regulations, and the customs anu ooii'
Reing Questioned as to his statement concernin
Mr. Spon's testimony the admiral replied that n
said o that he had no recollection whatever of tn
incident concerning which that witness had tes'i
Il tried while he sitting here" the adm admira r
sail q remember r l had ever seen the man pe
fore and | positively cannot remember ever seeihi
| him nor do | remember the occurrence or an.
such circumstance he says did occur at Ger
tain place on board of the Minneapolis az
come home on the Minneapolis; but IL Is not m.
custom to interfere with peoples talk when the
are talking outside l have had them abuse m
also aboard ship many times when was execu
rive of1cer ! have heard them and recognize
, The mems voices but | never went to the mel
about IL knew that they never intended that
sbouId hear 1t. | never would interfere with
conversaton of that kind. 1t would be unreason
able" -, - .ouoo.,on =
your saving ANYTHING that voyage to any on
On The subject OF the Sampson Schley controversy
Rear Admiral Howson-I do not remember VIVA
7 said I NAV have said something on that voy
age 7 do answer any ones questions, II they ar
asked politely where IT does not make any OH
ference. ,- -. ~.
MIR Raynor-You do not recollect saying on ina
VOYAGE to any that II Schley had done certal
rhinrs he ought TO have been court -rnartiaileo.
Rear-Admiral Howison-No; l DO not remem pe
making any such remark But If some one 10
| instance should come to me and say that certal
ofiicer had done certain thing might say ~, ina =
| under the navy regulations he would be supIect
! court-martal or dis pline OF some sort II ne ma
done certain thing. l would not hestate 10 sd
| that TO YOU a any time or to anybody else
Taking up the testimony of Mr.. NICHOLS MI
| Raynor called Admiral Howisons attention TO tn
fact that in his formal reply, he had not denied IN
| statements of that witness The Admiral SAID n
| had never said to Mr., Nichols that SchleZ~~ II