The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-13
The Story Of the Session.

The Story of the Session.
Within three hours from the time of
convening the Schley court of inquiry
to-day it was announced that Rear
ADMIRAL Howison was disqualified from
serving as member of the court and
was excused from further duty.
rms brought proceedings to an alb
rupt termination and caused a tempo
rary adjournment of the court in order
10 permit the Navy Department to des-
lgnate an officer to succeed Admiral
Howison. No further session is prob
able until the early part of next week
1t had been expected that little off,
clal business would be accomplished on
the opening day, and the prompt de-
clsion as to Admiral Howison came
somewhat as a surprise.
intense interest appeared to be taken
Dy the public in the proceedings, and
though 1t was known that only a very
limited number of persons would be
admitted TO the court room, and these
by card, large crowd was assembled
at the court room this morn
ing to witness the coming and going
OF the prominent naval officers. who
were to take part in the proceedings
They came ununiformed and unher-
aided and until the full dress uniforms
had been donned at quarters inside the
yard for the actual sessions of the
court, there was little to lend dra
matte interest to the occasion.
Admiral Dewey and Admiral Schley
naturally were the premier figures in
popular interest The latter had about
him distinguished array of counsel
including Hon. Jere Wilson, Attorney
General Isidor Rayner of Maryland,
and Capt James Parker, with Mr..
league acting as advisory counsel.
The German naval attache, Capt.
Rebeur- -Paschwitz, occupied one of the
seats in the public area and the mum,
Der of wives of naval officers present
was noteworthy.
A salute of seventeen guns, in honor
of the Admiral of the navy, marked
the opening of the proceedings at l
o'clock. The usual formalities on the
opening of a court were transacted
with dispatch. The first skirmish was
opened by Admiral Schley rising from
his seat and. speaking in a strong
voice, calmly and deliberately chal-
longing Admiral Howison's eligibility
as a member of the court.
Witness Proved the story.
Three witnesses were brought for
ward in support of his challenge, name
ly, Francis S. Frost, William E Spon
and Foster Nichols. They gave very
positive testimony as to expressions
they had heard Admiral Howison make,
favorable to Admiral Sampson and un-
favorable to Admiral Schley
Mr.. Frost testified to a statement that
Admiral Howison had made to him at
Boston while the witness was seeking
news as a reporter, Mr.. Spon to re-
marks made while he and the Admiral
were journeying back to this country
from Europe on a transatlantic
steamer, and Mr.. Nichols to a CONVEX
sation occurring during a business call
at Admiral Howison's private residence
in Yonkers, n. Y.
onsaooncluding this testimony, the
question arose whether Admiral How
ison would join issue with the state
n1ents made by the witnesses. or would
rest upon his privilege to withhold any
answer until he chose to submit it .
The admiral met the issue by turning
at once to Admiral Dewey and an
nouncing that he would make a writ
ten rejoinder to the statements of the
three witnesses. This rejoinder he pre-
pared very speedily. While conceding
the accuracy of some points in the
evidence it threw considerable doubt
on other points and disclaimed any re-
collection of the talks said to have
taken place on the transatlantic
steamer. 1t was not sufficient, how
ever, to counteract the very direct tes-
timony given by the three witnesses,
and moreover, the admiral himself, in
concluding his statement, indicated
plainly that he had no desire to remain
on the court, and was there simply in
obedience to orders. He even appealed
to his associates on the court to decide
all doubtful questions as to his eligi-
bility in favor of Admiral Schley.
Howison Cross-Examined.
Before submitting the challenge to
the determination of the court Mr..
Rayner cross-examined Admiral How
ison very minutely as to his personal
sentiments toward Admiral Sampson
and Admiral Schley. and developed
that Admiral Howison had expressed
certain defined convictions as to Ad-
miral Simpsons retention of authority
and responsibility even while he was
absent temporarily from the fleet at
Santiago. The challenge then was sub
mitted to the court, which, under the
circumstances, was narrowed to Ad-
miral Dewey and Rear Admiral Ben
ham, to pass upon.
After hardly more than fifteen min
utes spent in retirement to the consul
tation room. Admiral Dewey briefly an
nounced that the court sustained the
challenge and that Admiral Howison
would be excused from further attend
ance. The decision came so quickly
and unexpectedly that it sent a flutter
of agitation throughout the court
room. There was buzz
of animated comment, and Admiral
Schley exchanged looks of satisfaction
with his counsel. Admiral Dewey then
at once closed the proceedings Of the
day by announcing that the court
would adjourn indefinitely until the
Navy Department had named an Off
Ger to succeed Admiral Howison.
The formal proceedings of the court
were begun with the reading by Capt.
Lemly of Admiral Schley's letter re-
ouesting the convening of the court
and the Navy Departments precept.
The court assumed a listening atti-
tude. but Admiral Schley, known as
"the applicator" in the case gave
only Indifferent attention to the docu-
ment. The admiral gave closer at
tention. however, when the judge adj
vocate began the reading of the order
appointing Rear Admiral Howison
member of the court in the place of
Rear Admiral Kimberley and he con-
tinued to give careful heed when his
letter to the department asking for a
modification of Paragraph of the pre-
cept regarding Admiral Schley's dis
obedience of orders was read. together
with the departments refusal to COM
ply with the request.
None of these documents received
more than perfunctory attention from
the auditors. but there was a general
change of attitude when the next or