The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-08
additional question as to the where
abouts of the Spaniards

dDOuIS Oh the SpdnlarQS.
Referring to the information given
Schley by the scout boats
upon the commodores arrival off San
tiago May 26, Capt. Lemly said it was
reported to him, as agreed by Capt.
Sigsbee and the commodore, that moth
ing had been seen of the Spanish fleet.
Continuing on this point, he said:
Some of the scouts had been off San
tiago since the 21st of May. This infor-
nation of Sigsbee's then, meant that
If the Spanish squadron had been there
in the first place. it had not left. The
despatch will clearly show that there
was no doubt as to the Spaniards hav-
ing been at Santiago; the only doubt
that ever existed was as to whether
they had left.
1t has been intimated by counsel that
had the applicant been otherwise ad-
vised by Capt. Sigsbee, or had he been
in any way advised by Capt. Wise he
might not have undertaken the retro
grade movement; but both of these off
GERS testify that when they came up
with the flying squadron the retrograde
movement was already begun, and
Sigsbee has testified that the questions,
principally discussed on board the flag
ship were not of the whereabouts of
the Spanish fleet, but the question of
coaling. The dispatch sent on the
morning of May q confirms this wit
ness With purpose so fixed in the
commodore's mind, 1t is likely that adj
vice on the part of Sigsbee and Wise
to remain at Santiago would now be
construed by counsel in the same man
ner in which they appear to have re-
garded Hodgson'S caution to Commo-
dore SchIey as to the proximity of the
Texas; in other words, 1t might now be
construed as an unseemly protest"
CAS- to the question of disobedience
of orders, said Capt Lemly, Counsel
has properly stated that a report that
orders would be disobeyed does not
constitute disobedience. Commodore
Schley's conduct is being scrutinized
in the light of the facts, and not alone
in the light of the statements which
he made concerning his Intentions
Counsel has cited the disobedience of
Nelson, but at Copenhagen Nelson
disobeyed orders and went for the
enemy The applicants disobedience,
if proved, will be shown to be in de-
laying in bringing himself into the
presence of the enemy"
Counsel" said Capt. Lemly, "have
found themselves in the unfortunate
position Of being obliged to attack the
testimony of many witnesses. AS to
these witnesses whose testimony has
been assailed, either directly or in
directly / do not deem it necessary to
say anything in their behalf. They are
all officers of the navy in good stand
ing and the court has had full oppor-
tuntty to observe their manner on the
stand. The principal crime that has
been in terms laid against any of them
is their youth, and this they will event
ually outgrow. 1t may be added that
they range in years between 30 and
At. All of them are, therefore, eligible,
in such qualifications, to election to
the United States Senate. Moreover,
they compare, man for man, more than
favorably in this respect with the wit
nesses called for the applicant; and
that "precocious child of the kinder
garten," as Mr.. Rayner has designated
Lieut.. Commander Potts. is 46 years
and has seen more than 80 years
service"
In this connection, Capt Lemly re-
ferred to the Hodgson incident and to
Mr.. Rayner's statement that in Anne
Arundel County, Maryland it was
customary to use the word damn"
as Admiral Schley had been reported
as using it, as a salutation. (The
captain remarked:
''While, as stated by Mr.. Rayner, it
may be the custom in Anne Arundel
County to say Damn you good morn
ing" when greeting friends, such ex-
preston is not usually regarded as
good form in letter writing every
where"
Speaking of the alleged colloquy on
the Brooklyn during the battle. Capt.
Lemly said:
LAS to the testimony upon the point
whether this substantial exchange of
remarks really occurred, we have
sworn statement before this
court. his statement in the investiga-
ton before Capt. Chadwick and his
several letters to the applicant in
which he refers to the substantial
accuracy of the newspaper report as
printed"
Bringing the squadron back to San
tiago the juo~e advocate said that
nothing was done toward attacking
the enemy until May 81, when the re-
or bombardment was
made. the total time of all firing then
being seven minutes and 50 seconds.
1.-THE Colon was not destroyed nor
disabled, and. with the possible excep-
ton of one shot. all fell short. Only
three vessels of the force available, the
Massachusetts, the Iowa and the New
Orleans, were employed. in this affair.
the others being engaged in coaling.
The applicant cannot now successfully
plead that he did not know how close
his vessel went in. It was his duty to