New-York tribune., 1901-10-16
EVIDENCE FOR SCHLEY.
HIS FORMER FLAG LIEUTEN-
ANT A WITNESS.
OF FLYING SQUADRoN'S DIFFICUL-
TIES AND PRAISES THE COM
MoDORE'S CONDUCT
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


washington oct 15-Schley's flag lieutenant
FOR the last three years Lieutenant Commander
James Hamilton Sears now in charge Of the
eIew-York branch photographic Office, was on
the witness stand before the naval court Of in
quiry nearly four hours to-day. His testimony
was along the same lines as those developed by
Captain Cook yesterday, corroborating the ex-
plantations offered by the hagship's commander
OF the difficulties that beset the Flying Squadron
of the south coast Of Cuba, due principally to
doubt as TO Cervera's whereabouts and the prac-
ticability OF coaling ships in a rough sea His
recollection Of many episodes which have hith-
erto been cited against Schley was less distinct
than that OF the younger officers who have given
evidence in the last three weeks, but his descrip-
tion OF the Brooklyn's part in the battle Of July
3 was fun OF detail and a rather rigid cross
examination failed to modify any portion Of his
story OF that fight. The questions of the Judge
Advocate were at times so severe as TO be
checked by Admiral Dewey, but Sears remained
cool and calm. and declined TO contradict him
self when questioned about incidents that he
failed to remember.
Few new points were brought out in his eN-
animation, and these were Of such minor i'm
portance as fixing the. range Of the Brooklyn at
the beginning OF the loop as nine hundred yards
to the nearest Spanish ship; the invisibility OF
the starboard side Of the Texas during the loop
showing that vessels bow never TO have been
crossed by the Brooklyn. and that II Potts
of the Massachusetts. who set the ships too far
out on the ordered range OF seven thousand
yards when the reconnaissance was made. His
general recollections of conversations with the
Commodore about the retrograde movement were
not discreditabe to Schley, nor did they entirely
clear up the obscure question OF reprehensibility
He placed the distance out OF the bockading line
(rg., "a mill
Santiago at from three TO six miles. He ex-
pressed the opinion that in the battle OF July 3
81 had been the Vizcayas intention 10 ram the
Brooklyn
Mr. Rayner sought TO secure the introduction
OF a brief report of the battle Of July which
Commodore Schey prepared for transmission to
the Secretary OF the Navy. 1t was stated that
Commander Sears had taken this dispatch ashore
20 be cabled 10 the Secretary but that il never
reached that official The dispatch was ruled
out on the ground that, it was not received
It was not an official communication. It was
not read in the courtroom but the following is
Il copy OF il:
The Secretary of the Navy. Washington. D. c.:
Spanish squadron came out Of Santiago Haroor
or destroyed in running aght 70 the westward
Of about three and one-half hours. Very lev fe%
and one man wounded on the Brooklyn. reports
Chief now experimenting transfer OF prisoners
from the CrstObal Colon which surrendered TO the
Brooklyn and oregon at 1:l5 p. m. About one
thousand prisoners IN all, including Spanish ad-
miral. Victory complete; details later.
SCHLEY.
Captain Cook returned to the stand for a short
time this afternoon, and recalled his conversa-
1ion with the Commodore when he went TO re-
1nonstrate with him about returning 10 Key
West. Captain McCalla testified on September
% to Schley's reluctance 10 go TO Santiago with
the coal he had, and that Schley said IF he
returned TO Key West he would be court mar
tailed" This thought seemed TO cling TO Schley.
for three days later, according 10 Captain
Cook the Commodore said he realized the situ-
alton fully, but he must act in accordance with
his Judgment, right wrong, and that per-
sonal consideration of no account when the
safety OF the fleet was to be considered"
He also said in answer 10 a question by the
court that Commodore Schley in the battle Of
July was "cool. brave and enthusiastic. can
not imagine any conduct in battle more ad-
anirable."