The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-26
IN HONOR OF ADMIRAL SCHLEY
bROONLYN CLUB ENTERTAINED AT
DINNER LAST NIGHT.

Admiral SchIcy the Chief Speaker OF
the EvcninG-He Told of His Expe-
ricnce at Santiago when Admiral
| CerVera Made "A Dash for Liberty.
A Possibility That lie Would Es-
| cape, But for the Prompt Action OF
Americans.
New York. Nov. 25.-Rear Admiral
Schley was rendered complimentary din
ner in the Brooklyn Club tonight by it's
members Covers were laid for $50,
Rear Admiral schley was escorted to
the club by Congressman Bennett, and
he was accorded a hearty reception by the
guests when he took his place at the
guests table, along with Chauncey De-
pew, Benjamin Tracy, Col. Hester and
ST. Claire Mackay.
| When Admiral Schley arose to speak
he was again greeted with prolonged
| cheers, which We're renewed at intervals
during his telling of the destruction OF
| CerVera's feet.
The other speakers were Chauncey M.
Depew and Benjamin Tracy.
St. Clair McKelway introduced Admiral
Schley, who spoke as follows: II am over
| whelmed by the reception you accord
me, the more so because have been sim
ply an humble instrument in bringing
about a result which has added so much
to the glory of the nation.
II had no personal ambition which did
not include the highest glory to my pro-
fession and the greatest luster 10 my ma
ton felt after that momen ntous day that
the battle was big enough for us. At all
events, il scenes to have been big enough
for the country and big enough for the
world.
1T Is curious how litt.e things change
! results. After the army had invested
Santiago and people formed prodgies OF
valor / was impressed on that critical
Saturday night, which preceded the hiss
toric July s. / may say that ! was con-
fident that the enemy contemplated 81
movement. 1t proved to be true.
The Spanish forces 10 the westward
had abandoned six blockhouses, which
were Immediately seized by the insurgents
ana burned al $3.50 o'clock that night the
| enemy's ships were all prepared 10 get
| under way, 20 make a dash In the night
They thought those burning blockhouses
were a signal to us. There were six block
houses, as / have said, and the enemy
had six ships
"rhat was a critical moment In Cerve-
ras life. In the night time there was
| a possibility Of one vessel escaping. COM
ing out In the day time, 1t was simply
an utter lmpossibility. The enemy thought
we were az quarters. SO we were. In one
minute and about thirty seconds from the
time he appeared at the mouth of the
harbor every one Of our vessels was aring
upon him. II was the most beautiful
sight ever saw"
There was a burst of laughter and ex-
clamations of Right you are!'
Il say So" frankly Admiral Schley went
on. 1.-THE ships appeared in column.
was standing on the bridge of the Brook
lyn, and the first impression made upon
me that II was like a Spanish bull fight.
They came on tail up and head down.
"T'he admiral had been called to the
eastward TO confer with Gen. Shafter.
Before leaving he signalled TO disregard
the orders Of the commandor-in-chef. This
was an announcemet that the senior Off
Ger was left In charge. Fortunately, or IN
fortunately that happennd to be myself.
The moment the enemy appeared seu
the signal for close action.
"The enemy could choose one of three
methods. He could elect to fight and avail
himself of the protection of the land bat
terles lie could try to escape
aud scatter as noek
Of partridges when 1t Is flushed. Or he
could attempt to run, taking the eastern
or the western course. 1t was an anxious
moment while we were waiting 10 see
what he purposed doing. II required
quick decision and quicker action. For
tunafely he chose to run, and took the
course to westward. All the vessels closed
In with terrible cannonading. The
Brooklyn was about the point Of attack,
because she was the fieetest and the flag
ship The storm Of projectiles around
abount reminded me of a mill pond in
hall storm, but until man was killed
near me ! was not aware that there was
shot within 100 miles of me.
"Furous onslaught was made In the tac-
tical diameter of the enemys fre We
could move in and mask or turn out or
unmask or course, we moved in, and
within twenty-nine minutes four OF the
enemy's ships were absolutely annihiiat-
ed.
'oThe Colon and the vizcaya were left.
They put their helms to port and speeded
TO the westward There was running
fight of fifty-four minutes"
Admiral Schley described that fight and
the destruction Of the Nizcaya, leaving her
to the Texas 10 dispose OF.
1--WE went on after the Colon. felt as
did Nelson at Trafalgar, that the victory
viii be incomplete II one ship escaped.
told Capt. Cook to go below and have din
ner as we would not come up with the
Colon for three-quarters of an hour We
went down to dinner and during that time
we were under heavy fire. but we did rot
reply because il did us no harm"
Admiral Schley pictured the surrender
OF the Colon and recapitulated the results
; Of The battle He spoke Of Dewey's VIC
tory at Manila, and referred 10 his own
work in Porto Rico. Then he AIDED some
modest things about himself and sat down
amid tremendous cheering.
fHfs A