Evening star., 1901-08-30
HOWISON'S DENIAL
He Did Not Give Out the Interview
Attributed to Him.
CORRESPONDENCE With Mr.. HACKETl
Ready to Perform His Duties With
the Court ImpartiaIIy.
WILL NOT BE RELIEVED

Acting Secretary Hackett this morning
made public the following personal CORE
| spondence between Rear Admiral Howison
| and himself in relation to the fitness of the
admiral to serve upon the court of in
| quiry:
| Personal.
'72 Ashburton Avenue, Yonkers N Y,
| August "a; 1901.
| Dear Sir: 1 have just returned to my
home, after a short visit to Saratoga and
| Lake George.
| Owing to my detail as a member of the
| court of inquiry ordered to meet on Sep
tember - next I find that many newspa-
pers are giving me credit for having served
my country in the United States navy,
| for nearly half a century with honor.
Il see also that I am thought to be OBJ
| jectionable a member of this court of
| inquiry, it being stated that l publicly cx-
| pressed opinions on the conduct of the bat
| tie of Santiago, while serving command
ant at the Boston navy yard, shortly after
| the result of that engagement was known.
| Il believe the service knows, as l do,
that 1 do not attempt to make public
| speeches, write for magazines or papers
or make public utterances on navy or other
| subjects.
His Experience With Newspaper Men.
| 'It has been impossible for me to avoid
| the visits and questions of representatives
| of newspapers while serving at important
stations and at times when the navy has
| been so busily employed.
| "At Mare Island during my long service
there, particularly during the great rail-
| road strike, the papers contained many
| statements said to have been obtained in
| my office Most, if not all, of these reports
| We're harmless, readable articles on the
operations of the several naval detach-
| ments serving for the preservation of law
| and order.
| During my two years service at the
Boston station there was seldom a day
passed without receiving visits from the
| representatives of the several Boston pa
| pers, and during the Spanish-American
| war the navy yard there was seldom with
| out newspaper reporters.
Il found them to be polite and gentle
| manly at all times and whatever informa-
tion or news / could reasonably impart /
gave them
"I have often interpreted to a number
of them the laws and regulations of the
navy, by attempting to answer their nu-
merous questions relating to the duties and
responsibilities of the several grades Of
officers throughout the fleet Of vessels,
| from the commander-in-chief to the lowest
rate among the crew.
Praises for Commanders-in-Chi
when the news of our navy's success at
Manila and again at Santiago, reached
Boston the people there were not behind
the rest of the United States in giving
honor and praise to the navy and to the
commanders-in-ch chief of the fleets.
1.-The enthusiasm of the population In
praise and honor for the officers and men
engaged at Santiago lasted for some time,
until later when the troubles commenced
as to where the credit and honors should
go for the success of this engagement.
"It is no news to the navy to say that
where all do their duties the first honors
for success go to the officer in chief COM
mand Censure for failure also belongs to
him.
This newspaper cutting in question con-
tains a statement in which it is said that
I made a comparison between Schley and
Sampson unfavorable to Schley.
Does Not Approve Statement as His.
1.-THE word respected as used by the re-
porter is seldom or ever employed by navy
men in comparing the qualities possessed
by officers, and I am sure l could never
have said this as he reports, nor said that
Schley had the reputation of being nervous
and hot headed in the Naval Academy.
lone may say an officer stands higher In
his class, IL true; another may stand
higher in scientific attainments, while an
other be distinguished for eminent diplo-
matte and social qualities, while all under
discussion are Of good standing and prof.
cient in their necessary professional calling.
'I have no recollection of the gentleman
representing the Boston Record, and I do
not approve of his public statement as
mine.
'I cannot say that I have not discussed
with acquaintances matters published in
the newspapers relating to our navy's sue
cess, as we'll as the unfortunate disputes
so widely commented on.
There are few or no persons in the navy
or in our country who have not daily dis
cussed these newspaper articles.
Admiral SchIey's Doubts.
From the papers it appears that Admiral
Schley has strong doubts to my fitness to
fairly Judge this case with Admirals Dewey
and Benham.
"As it is case of grave Importance to
those concerned and to the country, I am
desirous Of giving my little help to clear
away the troubles.
"The duties of members of courts-martial
and courts of inquiry are not sought or de-
sired by officers.
'While I feel highly honored by the de-
partment's selection of myself for this duty,
it is anything but a pleasant task to sit in
judgment on brother officers
willing to Retire or BE Relieved.
However, the honor of the selection nor
the unpleasantness of court duties do not
enter into the reasons for my now writing
to say to you, personally, three things, viz:
81. To reassure you that I am not re-
sponsible for and did not give out such an
interview as is alleged in the dispatches
from Boston and as stated in the news
papers to have been mentioned by Admiral
Schley in recent letter to the department
'.2. If, however, the department feels that
L tho canse of the and IF iustico h.