The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-26

Admlral Schley told fthe receipt OF a
NUMBER of dispatches from the Depart
| ment, which had he said, been brought
| oy Captain Cotton. He was sure that the
| dlspatches could not have been received
before May 81. When he received these
dispatches he had already discovered the
| Spanish fleet. He had also surmounted
the difficulties about coaling and had so
informed the Department. He narrated
| the incident of the capture by the ST.
| Paul of the Restormel. the English collier
| bound for Santiago. Captain Sigsbee re-
| ported that the Restormel had touched at
Porto Rico and Curacao, and that he had
| sent her to Key West adding:
i have seen absolutely nothing of the
| Spanish fleet"
| On the 31st he received, he thought by
| way OF press tug from Port Antonio. the
dispatch from Admiral Sampson, dated
| May 80, congratulating him upon the loca-
ton OF the Spanish fleet. In reply to
questions by his counsel, Admiral Schley
explained that with a squadron such as
he had, practically of the same size
as the Spanish feet he had never con-
sidered the question of sending ships
away to coal. He regarded it as of prime
Importance that the feet be kept to-
gether.
The witness stated that he had not
gone into. foreign waters for coal be-
cause he wanted to avoid International
complications and especially wanted to
avoid the charge of taking advantage of
weaker nations like Hayti and others.
SPANISH GUNS MADE IT HOT.
After this depression the Admiral re-
turned to the reconnaissance of May 81.
That some Of the younger officers who
testified regarding that occurrence were
mistaken, he said, was proven by the
fact that there was today on the deck of
the Indiana a plate showing where an
eight-inch she'll from the land fortifica-
tions entered July 4 and wrecked her
ward room. The officers referred to had
testified that there were no guns of over
six inches in the Santiago land batteries.
The Admiral said perhaps fifty shells
went over the American ships. In fact,
he said, "it was very lively for few
minutes
The witness stated the particulars of
the arrival of the New Orleans on May
80 with Captain Folger in command, and
FoIger had, the Admiral said, brought
instructions to sink the collier in the
fair way to Santiago, the details of which
performance were TO be left largely to
Admiral Schleys discretion.
Il did not" he said. understand that
this passage was to be blocked up ex
cept in case we should be compelled to
abandon the port, in which even that
expedient was to be resorted to"
FOLGER FAILED TO TELL ALL.
He then proceeded to detail his con-
versation with Captain Folger. While
satisfied that Captain Folger had not
meant to do injury. he felt that the Cap
tain had failed to give all the details of
the conversation. He did not want to
explain to this court" said the witness,
''just what the conversation had been,
for l had condemned the circular form of
| blockade and had advocated the form
which l had established as being more
mobile and more facile for a small fleet
such as ours was. in case of attack by
the enemy as more easily manipulated
and handled under signal"
Admiral Schley also took occasion to
speak of the instructions to him TO eX
anime Guantanamo as a coaling base.
To do this was, he said, not practicable
as at least 1000 marines would have been
necessary to guard that point, and these
could not be spared IF we had gone
there, we should have invited attack" he
said. These he added, were among
the matters I had to consider
ARRIVAL OF SAMPSON.
~.
time of the arrival of Admiral Sampson,
commander in chief of the North Atlantic
Squadron. In speaking of this event, and
the change in command. which it involved
he ventured upon ground which Captain
Lemly considered somewhat questionable.
Coming to this point the witness said:
lon June /, Admiral Sampson arrived.
He brought with him the New York, the
Oregon, and the Mayflower and steamed
down to the westward, a little inside of
the line of blockade. He found us at that
time just in making the turn and | went
on board. He was very cordial, very glad
to see me, and l explained to him the
situation and the fact of the reconnois-
sance. He seemed to be very glad to find
out the situation there and l pointed out
to him the Colon lying in the entrance. ;"
Captain Lemly "If the court please,
we are getting beyond the courts con-
struction of the scope OF the precept."
Admiral Dewey: LAS ! understand he
is turning the command over to the
commander chief. want to hear
that | would lie to hear that part.
Continuing, Admiral Schley said: Il had
in hand a number of dispatches, ex-
planned to him the situation and told him
the form of blockade that | had main
tanned, and l heard no word of complaint
from him. In fact in view Of the tele-
gram of congratulation / supposed natur-
ally everything was approved. Admiral
Simpsons relations and mine were al
ways cordial. L never had any difference
with him"
Admiral Dewey: 'Ycu have turned the
command over Now go on"
Il turned the command over to Admiral
Sampson and my squadron was not broken
up until re 18th of 10th of June. l was
still in command of the Flying Squadron
and composed the left half of the block
aiding line at Santiago. Of course, / have
no criticisms to offer; merely a plain,