The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-10-25

Somers NJ. Smith by the scout boa
st. Paul while the latter was OF San
tiago in May. 1898. The first Of to
days new witnesses, Mr.. James Hare
photographer on the press boat, stat
ed that Captain Sigsbee Of the st
Paul had told the correspondents OF
board the Smith on May &c or ~, thai
Cervera's fleet was not inside the
harbor at Santiago. Mr.. Scovel was
among the correspondents on the
Smith and if he can be found he will
be asked to come to Washington and
give his testimony on this incident
1t is also probable that an effort will
be made to rebut other portions OF
the testimony given in Admiral
Schley's behalf, including Lieutenant
Sears denial of a conversation con
corning Admiral Schley, which the
lieutenant is said to have taken part
in on board the Massachusetts on May
81.
Other witnesses, in addition to Mr..
Hare, who testified today were Chief
Boatswain William l.. Hill, Gunner F.
T. Apologize and Major Jaul st. G.
Murphy of the Marines, all of whom
were aboard the Brooklyn during the
Cuban campaign; Lieutenant Com
mander Harlow who, as executive Of
icer of the Vixen, made oath of the
battle of July 3, and three officers of
the Oregon, Lieutenant A. A. Acker-
man, Lieutenant E. w. Eberle and
Lieutenant R. G. Johnston. Lieuten-
ant Alderman had charge of the after
13-inch turret and Lieutenant Eberle
of the forward 13-inch turret Of the
Oregon on July 3, and Lieutenant
Johnston was signal officer of the Ore
gon at that time.
Mr.. Johnston testified that he did
not receive any signal from the Brook
Ign to fire her 13-inch guns at the
Spanish ship Cristobal Colon and all
the Oregon's officers who testified to-
day expressed the opinion that the
Oregon and the Brooklyn were prac-
tically equi-distant from the Colon
when that vessel went ashore. Some
of them, however, were inclined to
think that the Brooklyn was a shade
nearer the Spanish ship.
While Boatswain Hill was giving
his testimony which was very compli-
mentary to Admiral Schley there
were outbursts of applause. These
were promptly suppressed by Admiral
Dewey.
Washington, Oct. 24-Admiral
Schley today took the stand, in his
own behalf, at the court of inquiry
which is Investigating his conduct,
as commander in chief of the flying
squadron, during the Santiago cam
paign. His evidence began at a few
minutes after court convened at 2
o'clock, for the afternoon session, and
when the court adjourned at 4 o'clock
he apparently had only gotten we'll
under way in his testimony. Captain
Charles E. Clark Of the Oregon, had
just concluded his statement when Mr..
Rayner, rising from his seat sad:
II should like to have Rear Admiral
Schley called" .".
The admiral accordingly was asked
to take the stand. 1t was a turn in
the proceedings for which apparently
neither the members of the court, it's
officers, nor the spectators were pre-
pared, and a murmur of surprise was
heard on all sides. It had been ex-
pected that the admiral's name would
be reached toward the close of the
afternoon session. There were still
two witnesses on his list who had
not been heard and it was understood
to be his purpose not to take the
stand until the entire list had been
exhausted. He, however, responded
Immediately to the call and before
AO ouNAOASC Voo VIGIL dWo1C VI LuO
fact he had begun his narrative of the
campaign which terminated in the de-
struction Of Cevera's fleet.
Mr.. Rayner introduced the testi-
mony Of his distinguished witness and
client by saying:
"Will you give the court your name
and rank"
Winfield Scott Schley, real admiral
United States navy, retired, at pres
ent on active duty serving in this
court of inquiry"
The admiral then in answer to a
question from his counsel proceeded to
give a careful and detailed narrative
of the events of the campaign IN to
the battle of Santiago. He had not
reached the stage of his testimony
yfyh0,,o lo III L.11