New-York tribune., 1901-08-07

court OF inquiry
the landing party which captured Tybee Island
Later he was commandant OF the Wash
ington Navy Yard and in charge of the mosquito
feet during the war with Spain. In the early
DAYS OF the new navy he commanded the
cruiser Atlanta attached 10 Admiral Walkers
White Squadron. composed of the Chicago the
Boston. the Atlanta and the Yorktown. and
while cruising in European waters became in
voIved in trouble with the admiral, which led
10 a court Of inquiry generating the captain.
Admiral Walker accused Captain Howison of
failing 10 maintain the Atlanta in correct line
position during evolutions and in not keeping
his coal bunkers well filed. There has been no
warm feeling between the two since then, and
when Admiral Howison came up for promotion
20 his present rank it was said Walker OBJ
Jected to his being advanced. on grounds OF
ineficiency. During the great Samoan hurr1-
cane Of March. 1889. Captain Howison com
manded the nl-fated Vandala. which was lost
with several of her crew. His last active sea
duty was in command Of the Chicago in which
he made a cruise around the east coast of
Africa. thence across to South America. and
up to New-York where he arrived just in time
10 assist in welcoming Admiral Dewey on his re
turn from Manila on that cruise the Chicago
showed her fag in ports where it had not been
displayed by a war vessel for many years AT
that time he outranked Admiral Sampson, in
command Of the North Atlantic Squadron, but
courteously refrained from assuming charge Of
the reviewing feet. Retired TWO years ago, Ad-
miral Howison has since then been seen little
at the Navy Department and has devoted the
greater part Of his time 10 the study Of ordnance
matters on which he is an authority.
II was also announced to-day that Admiral
Howison's appointment would he agreeable 10
Admiral Schley. The department before TAX
ing action, submitted list Of names TO Admiral
Schley. which included that Of Rear-Admiral
Howison. and Admiral Schley indicated his en-
tire willingness TO accept any officer on the list
The department also communicated the selec-
tion 10 Captain Parker before making il public
Assistant Secretary Hackett before issuing the
order communicated with Admiral Howison. who
is al present at Saratoga Springs. y. Y. and
ascertained from him that he had given utter
10 expression Of opinion regarding the
merits OF the Sampson-Schley controversy.
The department announced that Admiral
Howison would accept the detail Admiral
Dewey was informed Of Admiral Howson's Sc
lection, and the department sent 10 the latter a
copy Of the precept together with Admiral
Schley's letter relative 10 the fifth paragraph Of
the precept and the departments responses
thereto, which correspondence is part of the OFF,
cial record.
A preliminary list OF the witnesses who viii be
called TO appear before the court has been pre-
pared at the Navy Department, and notilca-
hold themselves in readiness to be present
when the court conYenes in September. Some
OF these officers are on foreign stations and Will
be obliged to start for home almost Immediately
in order 70 arrive in time. The department has
been obliged 10 dispatch the gunboat Yorktown,
at Kobe Japan. 10 the island Of Guam in order
10 inform Commander Schroeder. who viii be an
important witness, that his testimony is re-
quired. Commander Schroeder viii be taken to
Japan, whence he viii sail for the United States.
He participated in the West Indian campaign
on the Massachusetts.
Captain James Parker, Admiral Schleys as
sistant counsel appeared at the Navy Depart
rnent to-day to resume his investigation Of the
official records in connection with the disputed
points in the Santiago campaign. He received a
desk in the Secretary's office, and such records
as he called for were placed at his disposal by
the Bureau Of Navigation.
Rear-Admiral Robley d. Evans was at the
Navy Department for a short time to-day In con
sultation with Assistant Secretary Hackett.
Both say that the conference did not relate 70
the issue which ex-senator Chandler has raised
regarding Admiral Evanss criticism Of him
(Chandler) in his booFN "A Sailors Log Ad-
miral Evans, who goes TO Fort Monroe to-mor-
row for few days. said he called simply 20 pay
his respects.