Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-09-21
SCHLEY COURT HAS
RESUMED SITTINCS
Admiral Ramsay Takes How
ison's Place.
FIRST WITNESS CALLED

Admiral Francis /. Higginson Gives
Testimony-Part of Days Proceed
1ngs-Sman Audience Was Present
During the Early Hours.
WASHINGTON, Sept 90. - After an
omission of eight days the Schley court
OF inquiry resumed its sittings at II
O'Clock today in the tool shops at the
navyyard.
Rear Admiral Ramsay occupied the
seat which on the first day of the ses.
sion was filled by Rear Admiral Howl
son. All three members of the court
were in service uniform, and the morn
ing air was cold enough to make their
closely buttoned coats appear comforta-
bic.
Mrs. Dewey accompanied her hus-
band and remained short time. The
general attendance was not large.
The court was called TO order by
simple word from Admiral Dewey. The
first order of business was the reading
by Judge Advocate Lemley of the order
OF the navy department appointing Rear
Admiral Ramsay to place on the court
in place of Rear Admiral HoWison and
when this was done Captain Lemley
turned to Admiral Schley and asked
him as he did when Admiral Howison
was challenged whether he had objec-
tlOn to urge against any member of the
court. The admiral arose as this Ques.
tion was asked and replied:
II have not"
The judge advocate then swore the
members OF the court collectively and
was IN turn sworn in as judge advocate.
The court then retired for consultation.
The withdrawal was for the purpose
of discussing the methods of procedure
and was at the instance of Judge Advo-
cate LeInley. He suggested that it was
usual on such occasions to clear the
courtroom, but said that the court could
withdraw i'll lieu of this proceeding if
the court so desired. Admiral Dewey
announced that the court would pursue
the latter course. Before the withdrawal
letter from Admiral Schley to the
navy department., requesting to be sup.
piled with all papers bearing upon the
case and the departments reply grant
ing request, was read.
Higginson Called.
Admiral HiRginson, commander.
chief of the North Atlantic squadron,
was the first witness called. He gave
his full name as Francis J. Higginson,
rank as that of rear admiral said he
now was in command of the North At.
lantlc squadron, that he had, as captain,
commanded the battleship Massachu-
setts during the Spanish war, and that
for part Of the time the Massachusetts
had been a part of the ''Flying Squad
ron," of which Admiral Schley had
been in command. He told of joining
the feet at Newport News; of going to
Key West and then on May % going to
Cienfuegos.
"What was done to secure communi-
cation with the Cubans on shore?" Cap.
tain Lemley asked.
Nothing to my knowledge" the wit
ness replied. 81 did not see that any.
thing was done, but / understood in
formation concerning the Cubans was
received through Captain McCaIla."
Admiral Higginson said in response
to questions that this was later.
He also told, in reply to questions, of
the presence of the collier Merrimac and
of the departure from Oienfuegos and
the arrival at Santiago on the evening
of the twenty sixth.
In reply to questions, he said that the
Massachusetts, had at that time taken
on about 1870 tons of coal, but that as the
weather was rough this was done with
difficulty. -, -
MIR. Lemley then reported the report
of the board of navigation for 1898, a
photographic chart of the West Indies
and adjacent seas, and other charts. He
stated explicitly that they were intro
duced, not Ps testimony, but as books of
reference.
"Will they preclude the introduction
of original documents?" Judge Wilson
asked.
''Not at all, was the reply.
son the contrary, we shall desire to
introduce the original document when
opportunity offers"
Parker Makes Objection.
Captain Parker made objection to the
photographic chart when it was pre-.
sented.
cit is grossly incorrect, he said. Gas
matter of fact, the coast line of Cuba
is miles further south and miles fur
ther west than it should be-" He, how.
ever, withdrew his objection when as.
sured that the chart was not to be used
as evidence.
The witnesses also told of the fleets
leaving Santiago for Key West on the
night of its arrival at the former place
and of how, after steaming westward
eor some limo tho vn=sa!s am j.,
su..sa I,vzn sMsAww