The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-10-31
Calls Captain Sigsbee After
Schley Case Is Closed.
RAYNER OBJECTS HARD
Court of Inquiry Listening to Evil
dence in Rebnttal,
ScHLEY'S SIDE IS DISPOSED OF
Attempt to Introduce Conversation
Questioning the AdmiraIs WILL
inEness to Fight.

| Washington, Oct 81 When the Schley
court of Inquiry openu1 to-day Captain
I Borden was oalled-as the first witness of
the day, and as the last witness who is to
testify in Admiral Schley's behalf. It had
been expected that Admiral Barker would
be called, but it has latterly been decided
that his testimony, if given, would not
be material, and it is not now expected
he will testify. Captain Borden is an
officer in the marine corps and served on
the Brooklyn during the Cuban campaign.
His testimony, therefore, was largely cor
roborative of the evidence which has here
tofore been given by others who were on
the Brooklyn.
The remainder of the day, it was ex-
pected when the court opened, would be
taken up with the hearing Of witnesses
called by the navy department for the
purpose of impeaching certain parts of the
testimony given in support of Admiral
Schley Included in the list for this pur-
pose is Captain Charles D. Sigsbee of the
st. Paul; Captain Francis E. Chadwick,
OF Admiral SIMPSONS flagship, the New
| York; Sylvester Scovil, who was a news
paper correspondent in Cuban waters dur
ing the campaign; Major T. n. Wood, who
served on the Massachusetts as marine
officer; Lieutenant Commander Potts and
Lieutenant Grant. who were also on the
Massachusetts, and Captain Joseph G..
Eaton, who was on the Resolute.
10 1lol 20, 2 ba
purpose Of rebutting the testimony as to
his message to the Somers n. Smith,
press beat, and also his conversation on
the Brooklyn to which witnesses have tes-
titled that he told Commodore Schley the
| Spaniards were not in Santiago. Mr.. SEQ
vii also was summoned for the purpose Of
rebutting testimony as to Captain Sigs-
| bees message to the press boat Somers N
| Smith. Captain Chadwick was called to
testify concerning the conference between
Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley
on May 19.
WardrOOm Conversation.
Major Wood, Commander Potts and
Lieutenant Grant were expected to testify
relative to the wardroom conversation e1r
the Massachusetts on May 81 in which
Lieutenant Sears is alleged to have spoken
of the difficulty of getting Admiral Schley
of Santiago which took place on that day
The counsel for Admiral Schley were pre-
pared to make technical objections to most
of this testimony, and the day began with
the prospect that much of the time would
be occupied in discussing points at issue
| between the counsel of the two sides of
the case. Admiral Schley probably will
not return TO the witness stand for the
correction OF his testimony for two or
three days
Captain Borden said he had clearly OBJ
served the Brooklyn's loop, and speaking
/ Of this he said;
Ia the turn | fired guns on either side
starboard and port. The smoke was very
thlck at that time and during the turn l saw
no vessels at all, although l had a plain
/ view out Of the stern ports. l Judge I could
see about 500 yards distinctly.
In reply to questions from Mr.. Rayner,
| ne said he had seen Commodore Schley
three times during the battle and that his
bearing was everything that the officers
and crew could have expected"
SchIey's Case Closed.
Captain Borden was excused and Mr..
Rayner said he would have no more wit
nesses to call. He said. May it please
the court, we have closed our case"
captain Parker then asked to have put
In evidence number of documents, in
| cluding the report of the battle of JuIv 3.
Admiral Schley made from Montevideo
June 13, 1900. This report never has been
| printed. Following is an extract from it:
IN my Judgment, from an unobstructed
view OF the entire field of action during the
4 combat the Viscaya was not more than .OnO
yards distant. Ny flag lieutenant, standing
at my elbow, reminded me that the distance
| between the leaders of the Spanish squadron
ana ourselves was approaching our tactical
diameter.
/ The stadimeter at this instant indicated 900
| yards. The Brooklyn then swung to star
hoard to meet what proved to be the last of
the attempts to ram the Brooklyn, for the
! Nlzcaya then turned square to starboard and
followed the Maria Teresa until the later's s
| destruction. These facts admit Of no contra
diction, for they are based upon the inde-
| pendent judgment and observation OF two or
more persons and upon the stadimeter in the
hands Of person skilled in it's use.
Some time was consumed in presenting
this report, which was admitted
For RebuttaI.
Lieutenant Grant was then called as the
first witness for rebuttal Witness was
interrogated only concerning the events OF
May 81, when Commodore Schlev went
aboard the Massachusetts for the purpose
or making reconnaissance and lombard
ing the Colon, especially as to the conver-
sation in which Lieutenant Sears, flag
lieutenant of the Brooklyn, who accom-
panied Commodore Schley on this oc-
casion, in which the lieutenant was rep
resented as urging that no obstacles be
put in the way of letting the bombardment
go on because, as he was represented to
have said, it had been difficult enough
to get the commodore up to the point OF
undertaking it.
Il want you to state what the conver-
sation was in the stateroom Of the navi-
gator"
AT this point the testimony was brought
to sudden stop by an emphatic remark
by Mr.. Rayner: Il object" Addressing