The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-30
AN IMPOSING LIST OF NAVAL
OFFICERS CALLED TO TES-
TIFY IN FAMOUS CASE.
REAR ADMIRAL ROBLEY D.
EVANS TO APPEAR BEFORE
THE COURT.
MUCH INTEREST MANIFESTED
CONCERNING THE OFFICER
WHO TALKED TOO MUCH.
(By Associated Press.)


Washington, Sept. 3O.--Todays pro-
ceedings in the Schley court Of inquiry
were begun as usual by recalling pre-
viOus witnesses for corrections in their
testimony. Captain Lemly's orograll
provided that these should be followed
by Commander Miller, who commanded
the collier Merrimac. in the early part
of the Santiago campaign; Captain
Jewell, who commanded the scout Min
neapolis; Lieutenant Commander Sharp,
cwho had charge of the much talked of
Viven, and Lieutenant j. G. Donilee, of
the Brooklyn. 1t was also contemplated
to CALL at very early period, Rear Ad-
miral Evans, who was captain Of the
Iowa. Much interest was manifested in
the probable appearance of the rear aI-
miral and also in the prospect Of seeing
Captain Miller, who, it will be remer-
bered. surrendered with great reluo5-
ance the command of the Mermac to
Lieutenant Hobson, who afterwards
sunk the the collier in the mouth of
Santiago harbor
While Commander Southerland was on
the stand, he was asked by the court
whether, if the feet Of Cervera was in
the harbor at Cienfuegos, it could have
been seen by the vessels blockadng the
port.
He replied: II cannot definitely say.
Not unless they had anchored in the
lower harbor, just inside of the entrance,
in the deep water, where the schooner
to which referred before was anchored.
I don't believe they would have an
chored in that spot.'
The first new witness of the day was
Commander James M. Miller, who was
in command of the collier Merrimac,
while that vessel was a part of Admiral
schley's flying squadron.
Commander Miller said that he had
assumed command Of the Merrifnac on
April II, at Norfolk. He had taken on
board at Lambert's point soon after
ward about 30 tons Of coal. His vessel
had, he said, been capable at first of
making between 9 and 10 knots, but af-
terward he had had trouble with his ma
chinery, so that by May % and "a he
would have hesitated in trying to secure
a speed Of more than seven knots. He
read from the collier's log to show that
the Iowa, Massachusetts and Castine had
been coaled on the 23d and oath. No
record was found of the coaling of any
vessel on the 2sth or 26th, the time con-
sumed In proceeding from Cienfuegos to
Santiago.
1.-THE sea-" he said, "on the 25th was
nasty, quite nasty. The Merrimac, be-
ing a heavy vessel, it's speed was af-
fected, but If I had had a smaller ves-
sci it should not have affected it very
much"
He also said the weather for that day
was bad.
He testified that on the afternoon of
the 26h the intermediate valve of the col
lier was broken, but that previous to
the arrival off Santiago, she had not
broken down, nor was she disabled or
delayed.
Witness said of the 26th: II should
have coaled, as find here consulting
the log), we were making 10 knots. At
one time we got UP to y knots: fancy
the weather could not have been very
boisterous. I read from the log seven
knots, then six. There is one entry that
we got up to II knots. On that day I
find by the entry between 8 o'clock in
the morning and meridian of that day
that we made 10 or II knots
Mr.. Hanna: What was the condition
Of the sea?"
1.-THE sea had smoothed, should judge.
from the way we were going. We raised
our speed from knots to 10 knots"
f.. "Could you have coaled vessels the
afternoon of the 26th?'
II could up to the time I was broken
down. While I had control of the ship
could have coaled."
what time did you break down?"
1--WE stopped about $50 that after
noon."
When asked if vessels could have been
coaled while the Merrimac was in tow
of the Yale, the witness replied that that
was a suppositious question, and that
he would not like to say.
''As matter of fact she did not coal
any vessel while in tow. On all days