The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-11-07
CLOSE OF TESTIMONY
Arguments Begin in the Schley
Inquiry Case by Attorneys.
ADMIRAL MAKES CORRECTIONS
Opening Speech In Behalf Of Govern
ment Is Made BY Mr.. Hanna.
Sessions Will Soon
End,

The Schley court Of inquiry reached
the argument stage at the beginning of
the afternoon session Monday. The
morning sitting was devoted to listen
ing to Admiral Schley and Captain
Sigsbee in making corrections OF their
testimony, which had been given pre-
viously, and the introduction by Judge
Advocate Lemly Of numerous docu.
ments bearing upon different phases OF
the inquiry. Admiral Schley did not
make any material additions to his
previous statements, but devoted him
self largely to the clearing up Of en-
biguous points in his evidence.
Admiral Schley began his correc
tions with the very first Of his testi
mony. Most Of thase corrections were
Of typographical errors or the chang
ing Of words to make sentences read
moro smoothly.
Referring to hiE testimony regard
ing the reconnaissance Of May 81, the
admiral changed his statement that
fifty if not more shells passed over
the fleet" to read, "A number Of shells
passed over the fleet" He also chang
ed his evidence concerning suspicious
movements in the harbor of Santiago
July Cd to read that Before dark |
noticed in the harbor a great deal of
smoke coming up." The Official rec
ord, he said, made him say that he
saw the smoke after dark.
Coming to his answer to question
in reference to his order sent below
during the early part Of the battle to
stand by to ram, Admiral Schley en-
phasized his former testimony by say
ing that there was distinct attempt
to ram on the part of the Maria Te-
resa, Admiral Cervers's flagship. and
the Viscaya.
He also reiterated his confidence in
the Brooklyn's speed, by stating that
with one engine and all the boiler pow
er she could have gotten up all speed
that was needed. AS to the passing OF
the flying squadron by the Eagle on
the morning of May 10, and the lat,
ter's conveying the information that
there was mo news" Admiral Schley
corrected his testimony wherein he
said that he was not mistaken as to
this, by stating that he might have
been mistaken.
Admiral Schley also corrected his
statement regarding his visit to the
flagship New York, when he made his
preliminary report OF the battle OF
July to Admiral Sampson. The rec
ord, he said, did not make the matter
quite clear.
"The admiral said to me-" continued
the witness, that l had omitted worry
important detail, which was to state
that the New York was present"
The witness corrected but one OF his
answers to the questions Of the court.
This question was as to whether he
should have communicated with Cap.
tain McCalla to secure information.
The answer as corrected reads:
"The communication which he made
to me, through the Eagle, indicated
that Captain McCal1a knew it was
bound for Cienfucgos, and 1, Of course,
took it for granted if he had had any.
thing important he would have notified
me Of the fact without my inquiry"
At this point Admiral Schley an
nounced that he had no more correc'
tions to make.
The opening speech Of the argument
in the case was made in behalf Of the
government by Mr.. Hanna, assistant
to judge advocate. He begun his pre-.
sentation Of the case few minutes af
ter the court convened at 2 o'clock
and when the court adjourned, two
hours later, he had not covered more
than half of the ground involved II
the controversy.