The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-18
THE PRIZE COURT SHORT.
ONLY ONE OF THE COMMISSIONER
NOW IN THE CITY.


NOW IN THE CITY.
Dir. Denmark TeIeeraphed for But
Nothing Has Been Heard From
Him-Rear Admiral Benham Has
Not ArriVed-In the Meantime the
Omcers and Crew Of the Adula
Arc Practically PrIsoners-ProbA-
bic That-the Taking of Testimony
I'm the Cnse VIII Begin To-day Be
fore Commissioners SohIcy.
Mr.. Edgar Denmark, the lawyer on the
board Of prize commissioners appointed by
Judge Emory Spcor has not been heard
from since The British steamship Adula
was brought into port 10y the prize crew
from the Marblehead ana Commissioner
Julian Schley is somewhat puzzled as TO
what to do about the matter.
Mr.. Denmark went away to Porter
Springs several days ago, and that point
cannot be reached by telegraph. 1t is
some twenty-five miles away from the
nearest telegraph station, ana though he
Vas wired on Friday nothing has Yet been
heard from him. The law requires that the
testimony in these cases must be taken at
once, and though there seems to be Moth
Ing to prevent one commissioner from go
ing ahead with the case, Mr.. Schley does
not desire to 90 so without the ala Of one
or both of the other commissioners. IN
view Of these circumstances kilograms were
cent yesterday to District Attorney Marion
Erwin and Judge Speer, asking what
should be done in the matter and replies
are expected to-day.
Rear Admiral T. =. Benham retired. the
naval officer designated as a member OF
the prize commissioners court has not yet
arrived, and it is not known definitely
when he will come. Tho secretary Of the
navy was notified by wire that the Adula
had arrived and was asked who had been
designated to act with the prize commits
soners. A reply was received stating that
Rear Admiral Benham had been appointed.
but nothing was said as 70 when he would
be here. lie was expected yesterday, but
had not arrived up 10 y o'clock last night.
1t may be, however, that he VIII come
down from Washington this morning, in
which event he viii Oe here in time to take
part In the proceedings before the commits
sioners.
In the meantime, the officers and crew
of the Adula are practically prisoners on
street. They are not permitted to come
ashore, nor is any one permitted TO 90
on board the vessel. No communication
whatever Is allowed between those in The
crew and any one outside. The captain
cannot even communicate with his owners,
nor they with him, though he was given
permission yesterday to send a letter to
his wife in Jamaica to let her know thar
he is ali right.
The object in hurrying through with the
work of a prize court is to relieve just
such a situation as this. Ii is probable
therefore that the taking Of testimony in
the case will begin in the district attor-
ney's Office in the custom house to-day,
whether any of the other commissioners
set here or not. The law does not APP
pear to require that all of them shall be
present, and seems to indicate that the tes-
timony can if necessary, be taken by one
of them. II is not known yet whether the
court viii be closed or not. Commissioner
Schley is exceedingly anxious that every
thing shall be done in proper shape, and
he will conform to wha the law re-
quireS as advised by Assist
ant District Attorney W. r.
Leaken. After the testimony is taken
II is probable that the officers and crew
of the steamer will be placed IN the GUS
tody of the United States marshal, and
Lieut.. e. A. Anderson and his prize crew
can then return TO the Marbehead
Lieut.. Anderson gave some of his friends
yesterday an interesting and graphic ac-
count of how the news of the destruction
of Cervera's feet was first received. He
was on the Adula at Guantanamo BAY at
the time the telegram stating that Ger
vera's fleet had escaped was received. He
went at once to the Marblehead on a
launch, and the cruiser under a full head
of steam started az once for the entrance
70 Santiago harbor.
on the way the Marblehead passed a tor
pedo boat which was Fastening to Guam
tanamo with dispatches. She then learned
that two of the Spanish cruisers and two
torpedo boat destroyers had been demol-
lshed The cheer that went up from the
crew of the Marblehead when this infor-
nation was received made the military
mast culver. A. short while afterward the
Marblehead passed newspaper dispatch
boat, and was told that three of CerVera' s
cruisers and the two small boats had been
destroyed. The loud cheering was repeated
1t was late In the afternoon when the
Marblehead met the Brooklyn just return
ng from the fray after having done good
execution upon the CTistobal Colon, the
last of the Spanish fleet. What news?''
asked Capt. MeCalla of Commodore
Sehley. ana the characteristics answer came
back through the megaphone Not a d
one of them left"
Lieut.. Anderson says that every man on
shipboard is being instructed in the art of
handling a gun. Even the cooks and the
stewards, the firemen and the coal passers
have their lessons in sunuery for il Is not
known at what moment their services may
be needed.
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