Evening star., 1901-10-15

Lieut.. Com. John H. Sears,
Flag Lieutenant Of Brooklyn.
asked as to the bearing of that officer
under fire and replied: His bearing to me
was model for anybody, worthy of emu
If 1t was possible, seemed to be clearer
and more in possession of them than at
any other time"
WAS he in any state of excitement"
mot the slightest.
WAS he cool and calm?"
Absolutely
How about points of danger, would he
get away from them or did he expose
himself to them?"
HE was always putting himself in ex-
posed positions. I requested him many
times not to expose himself, as 1t was use
less to do So"
OF Cienfuegos.
Judge Advocate Lemly conducted the
cross-examination Of the witness, who said
In response to questions that he had
reached the understanding that Cienfuegos
was Spanish stronghold early in the war
He also said that beyond the standing in
of the American fleet and the send
ing in of the Adula no effort had been
made before Capt. McCalla's arrival to dis
cover whether the Spaniards were in the
harbor there. He also said that he could
not admit the possibility of the receipt of
the McCalla memoranda by any other ves-
sci than the Hawk or on any date before
May %.
The Westward Movement.
Commander Sears said that Commodore
Schley had discussed the coal situation
freely with him, and that when the retro
grade movement was begun the Texas had
only a little more than enough coal to
carry her to the nearest coaling station.
IN
ward movement, but Mr.. Rayner suggested
that such course Of inquiry would open
the doors to a wide range Of inquiry. He
did not believe that the criticism of ju-
nior officer, if made, should affect the com
modore.
The witness continued by saying that he
had probably had as many as half dozen
conversations with the commodore concern
ing the return, but he could not give the
particulars of those talks. He had at Com
modore Schley's instance made the signal
for the move westward.
The witness said that so far as he knew
there were no general circular orders Of
battle
tingencies?'
None to my knowledge"
You would have known If there were?'
That does not follow"
Asked about the range given for the fir
ing of the American guns on May 81, Mr.
Sears said he had given it at 1000 yards,
under direction Of Commodore Schley
Asked If he had had any conversation with
Commodore Schley concerning that range,
he replied in the negative.
Alleged Ward Room Conversation.
Did you not state otherwise in the ward
room of the Massachusetts?' Mr.. LemIy
asked.
THAT question is inadmissible," said Ad-
miral Dewey. before the witness could re-
ply. unless Commodore Schley was pres
ent"
Capt. Lemly and Mr. Hanna contended
for the admissibility of the question and
MIR. Rayner conceded that it was proper
on cross-examination for the purpose Of
Impeachment.
The court then allowed 1t to go in, and
Capt. Lemly asked 1t more specifically than
before, saying: Il want to know If you did
range in the ward room of the Massachu-
setts on the day of the action Of May 81
than you have stated here; that is, you
have stated here you had said nothing
about IT."
II have no recollection of stating any
thing else" replied the witness.
Are you positive?"
81 am positive"
did not say in the ward room Of the Mas
sachusetts For Gods sake, don't dis
courage him! 1t is all we have been able
to do to work him up to this or words to
mo, never said anything of the kind"
replied the witness.
In reply to further questions, the witness
said that while no conclusion could be
reached from the signal fires on shore at
Santiago ON July 2 that the Spanish feet
was preparing to escape, yet the situation
was so tense that Commodore Schley felt
something unusual was going to occur.
The court then took recess for luncheon.
Capt. Cook Again ON the Stand.
.
Capt. Cook. the commanding officer of the
flagship Brooklyn during the Spanish war.
who gave his testimony yesterday. was
called to the stand to correct the printed
report of his stateemnt the examination
Of Lieutenant Commander Sears being sus-
pended for this purpose. After he had con-
cluded the correction Of errors questions
were asked him by the judge advocate.
Q. (By the judge advocate) What con-
yersation did you have with. Commodore
Schley, either before or after the order was
made to return to Key West? A. AS near
as l recollect the circumstance, knowing
that he was seeking port to coal. when
we turned to the westward-afterward a
message was brought to me that a signal
had been made, Bound for Key West by
Yucatan channel
l did not understand the signal and did
not recollect at that time that anything
had been said about 1t. The executive Of
ficer saw me about the same time and /
went In to see the commodore about It.
wanted to understand 1t. i did not under
stand 1t. / asked him what the signal
meant, and he said In reply that he must
coal the ships and he must seek some place
to coal the ships. and he was going toward
Key West until he could find an oppor-
tunity to coal from the collier, and II he
did not find that opportunity he must be
near coal basis to keep the ships with
coal.
made some remark concerning the
weather conditions, that thought it would
be more favorable later. He said: "Unttl
the conditions are more favorable and until
l am able to coal from the collier must
keep within striking distance Of coal" I
said something to him about that time
Q. (By the judge advocated State as near
as you can the language used by each. A
That am doing as near as can.
s said that recognised that he felt the
responsibility as no one else could. and