Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-23
COURT OF *
X INQUIRY.
IN
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST WEEK.


hours on the part of Sampson in lending
to Schley what was believed TO b, relia-
BILE information regarding the presence of
the Spaniards in Santiago. Early on the
morning of May 20 Sampson received
from Captain Allen, the signal officer,
information which led Sampson TO be-
lieye, according to the testimony of Lieut..
Staunton of the New York that the Span
iards were in Santiago. Sampson wait
ed until night to confirm the report. That
night confirmation was received through
Captain Allen. but for unexplained rea-
sons this information was not started to
Schley u.til the evening of May u. Even
Sampson did not communicate positive
information ON this point 10 SChlcy, but
instructed the latter 10 be sure the Span
iards were not in Cienfnegos before leay-
ing for Santiago.
Captain Chadwick of the New York
was recalled and questioned regarding
his protest to Sampson against sending
congratulatory dispatt i 70 Schley, on
the character of the blockade maintained
by the flying squadron The previous day
Mr. Rayner attempted to question Cap
tain Chadwick with regard to u CONVEX
sation the latter had with Watson regard
ing the blockade, which was at that time
commended by Capt.in Chadwick. The
court promptly and with some heat de-
clined to admit the question, and object
ed to further inquiry on this line.
twenty second Day.
Captain Cooks testimony was in favor
of Sehley Cook said the flying squadron
left Cienfuegos for Santiago as soon as it
was learned definitely that the Spanish
fleet was not in the former place.
The rctrograde movement, Cook testi-
fed, was begun because Schley feared his
coal supply. Schley turned back to San
tiago as soon as the weather moderated
and it was possible to coal at sea.
Schley maintained moving blockade
instead of a stationary circular block
ade-such as Sampson s-Cook said, be-
cause he wanted to have his ships under
way and ready at moments notice to
engage n battle. Cook said ne ordered
the loop without instruction or suggestion
from Schley. He stated that the Brook
lyn passed within 400 yards of the Texas,
but there was absolutely no danger of col
lsion He did not hear the Hodgson-
Schley eolloquy. in which the latter Is
alleged to have said. "D-n the Texas.
When Hanna asked theoretical ques-
ton as to what would have happened if
the Brooklyn hal been handled different
ly, he said, with some feeling: Il know
that what we did was entirely successful.
If we had done something else | do not
| cessful.
Yes, that's right" said Dewey we
want facts, not conjectures."
Tweuty-thirI Day.
Only one new witness was heard in de-
tail by the Schley court on this day. This
was Lieutenant Commander james III
| Sears, who was Admiral Schley's Tag
| lieutenant during the Spanish war. He
gave detailed account of the entire
Cuban campaign, including the brief siege
| of Cenfuegos, the retrograde Increment
of the flying squadron in The search ID
coal, the blockade of Santiago, the recon
noissanee of the Santiago shore batteries
and the bombardment of the Eristobal
Colon May 81, and the battle off San
tiago July 3, when Cervera fleet was
destroyed.
He placed the distance, out of the block-
ade line at Cienfuegos at from one to
four miles and at Santiago at from three
to six miles. He expressed the opinion
that in the battle of July it had been
the Viscaya's intention TO ram the Brook
| Ign.
Mr.. Rayner sought to secure the intro
duction of brief report Of the battle OF
July 3. which Commodore Schley prepar-
| ed for transmission to the Secretary ot
the Navy. 1t was stated that Command
| err Sears had taken this dispatch ashore
| to be cabIhd TO the Secretary. but that il
never had reached that official, The dis
patch was ruled out ON the ground that
as it was not received it was not an Off
| cial communication. Vt was not read il
| the court room.
Captain Cook was recalled. and in re-
spouse TO a question Ky Captain Lemly
made an additional statement concerning
the retrograde movement of the flying
squadron May &c to May IS He alsc
| said in answer TO a question by the court
that Commodore Schley during the bat
! tie of July was cool, brave and enthu,
siastic. l cannot imagine any conduct il
battle more admirable"
| Admiral Sampson will not be called al
witness, particularly because OF the ply
steal and mental inability of Sampson Il
appear and give testimony. His health
| Is such that he could not go upon tht
witness stand.
Schley's expenses in connection with
the inquiry approximate 10000. and
they must have swallowed up all the
prize money which he received from his
connection with the destruction Of the
Spanish fleet. and much Of his private for
tune besides. His friends have been
earnest in their desire 10 assist him. and
Mrs. Schley herself has taken, as her
part Of the work, the indexing Of all Of
Admiral Schley's correspondence during
the Spanish war, and the testimony which
has been given before the court Of in
quiry.