Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-11-07
TuesdaY,s ProeeedInas.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5.-Mr. Hanna
continued his argument when the Schley
court OF inquiry convened at IL O'Clock
this morning He began where he had LETT
OF yesterday. and after briefly referring
10 the retrogade movement, the discussion
OF which he had entered upon yesterday,
he took up the question of the coal sup
ply Of the flying squadron, and from tnat
entered upon a discussion Of. the block
ade OF Santiago and the reconnaissance
OF May 81, when the Spanish ship Colon
was bombarded as she lay in the harbor
OF Santiago.
Mr. Hanna briefly reverted to the cruise
or the flying squadron from Cienfuegos
10 Santiago for the purpose Of showing
that neither the Vixen or the Merrimae
had been the cause of delay on the voy-
age.
Mr.. Hanna continued his discussion Of
the retrograde movement, saying that but
one explanation had been given for IT In
Admiral Schleys dispatch. namely, the
inadequacy of coal supply.
e'There is he said, mo suggestion OF
any other reason in this dispatch. In his
testimony before this court Admiral
schIey gave four reasons for leaving his
station of Santiago. but no one OF these
four reasons appears I'm his telegraphic
report made at the time.
Said schIey Knew.
Mr.. Hanna contended that while Com
modore Schley was acting under the or
ders confined in dispatch No. s, when
the retrograde movement began, May Is,
that II was superseded by the dispatches
delivered on the Brooklyn May q by Cap
tain Cotton, in command OF the Harvard,
and On one OF which II was said that M
the departments information Indicted
that the Spanish division is stili at sam
tiaeo de Cuba" and TO which the order
was added: =.
Mr.. Hanna quoted Admiral schley's dis
patch OF May q, in which he expressed
regret over not being able to obey or
ders, saying that as 1t was written after
the Cotton dispatch had been received II
was an explicit confession that the Cot
ton telegram was an order. Commenting
upon this dispatch he declared II was
''the most remarkable one TO be found in
the annals Of the American navy" He
contended that the repairs to The Aerrt-
mac could have been made, as they We're,
without going 10 Key West and that the
Texas was not in severe straits for fuel.
AS for the Vixen. she was not fighting
ship and could have been sent for coal.
The Brooklyn. he said, was abundantly
supplied. He contended also that on that
date, May q. the condition of the seas
was not such as to prevent coaling. He
asserted that the weather was rough only
on Nav . and that therefore Commodore
Schley's assertion that the weather had
been boisterous and the sea rough ever
since leaving Key West was unjustified
by the facts.
Was Possible to Coal.
The speaker also controverted the state
ment made in his dispatch to the depart
meut TO the effect that sit is not possible
TO cruise to leeward of Cape Cruz in
summer, owing TO southwest winds, =
quoting several witnesses to show that
the wind was not from the southwest.
Mr.. Hanna contended that the caution
ary- orders said TO have been communi-
Gated to Commodore Schley by Admiral
Sampson at Key West have no applica-
ton to the conditions existing at Santiago
on the S1st OF May.
Mr.. Hanna said that beyond the Brook
Iyns turn the battle Of Santiago was not
involved in the inquiry. He said that &C
cording to the weight of testimony no
disposition was manifested by the Spanish
ships TO ram the Brooklyn. With refer
ence to the possibility of collision with
the Texas Mr.. Hanna said that two yes
sells in closing in moved on converging
lines He said that Captain Cook and
Navigator Hobson evidently had observed
Commodore Schley's movements on the
day OF the battle from different stand
points. Mr.. Hanna said that beyond per-
adventure the progress OF the Texas was
seriously interfered with.