The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-02
THE TESTIMONY OF
EVANS CONCLUDED
The Naval Court Hears Three
New Witnesses.
CAPTAIN SIGSBEE is ONE
Others Newspaper Man and a Clerk
of Simpsons.
CAPTAIN SIGSBEE is ONE
THE WITNESSES CLOSELY QUESTIONED
Sigsbae Thinks It Would Have Been Difficult TO
Coal at Sea on May 26. Pertinent
Questions by Admiral
nouav
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Oct. 1.-The Schley Court
of Inquiry made good headway again to-
day, concluding with Admiral Evans, and
hearing three new witnesses, although
concluded when the court adjourned for
the day. The new witnesses were Capt
Sigsbee, who commanded the scout St.
Paul during the Santiago campaign;
Thomas NJ. Dieuaide, newspaper corre-
spondent who was on the Texas during
the battle of July 3rd, and Chief Yeoman
Gustaye E. Becker, who was a clerk to
Admiral Sampson during the war
General sympathy was expressed on
the part of members of the court and
those in attendance with Judge Advocate
Lemly because of the death of his sister,
which occurred yesterday. Captain Lem
ly was present when the court convened,
but Immediately withdrew.
Admiral Evans, recalled. said that
when Capt. Chadwick communicated the
secret code of signals to him he did not
Commodore Schley.
conversation with Commodore Sehley on
July. 4th, on the course of which you
used language as follows: Did you know
that Jack Philip started to run away at
the beginning of the BATTLE and to
which Commodore Scbley replied: You
are mistaken about that, Evans, 1 saw
nothing of the kind. The Brooklyn made
a turn and you must see the tactical
situation that made it necessary.
"On thinking over last, what did oc
cur with reference to the Texas, / think
Commodore Schley and l discussed the
position of the Texas when the fight be-
gan. l cannot be sure of it, but that |
ever intimated that Capt. Philip at
tempted to run away with the Texas is
preposterous on the face of it,
CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS.
Were not The commanding officers
called on board the flagship Brooklyn by
signal on the morning of May 20 after the
Colon was discovered?''
They we're
What took place at the conference of
the commanding officers at that time?''
There was a general talk about the
Spanish fleet having been located at last
at Santiago. l do not recall any special
conference. / remember having a con-
versation with Commodore Schley about
the effect of the fighting batteries on the
ships, in which / told him of the ex-
perience we had at San Juan and ex-
pressed the opinion to him that it was
not worth while to risk ships fighting
shore batteries alone
Commodore Schley remarked before
we left that he felt the country held him
responsible; that the ships should not
be risked under the fire of the shore bat
teres until the Spanish fleet was de-
stroyed."
'I want to call your attention to the
report of Capt. McCalla of the Marble
head on page 246 of the appendix, saying
Commodore Schley explained to the COM
manding officer that in case the Spanish
ships came out he wished to concentrate
the batteries of all our ships on a por-
ton of those of the enemy. During the
time the commanding officers were on
board the flagship Capt Evans asked Com
modore Schley if it were his intention
to steam at the enemy's ships in case
they should start to come out Commo-
dore Sthley answered Certainly and
to attack them as they came out of the
narrow defile.'
u recollect it perfectly
$50 there was a plan of battle ar
ranged by Commodore Schley, was there
not?"
There is nothing there to Indicate it
from what you have read.
WAS not that the same order that was
afterward given by the commander-in-
chief, substantially Close in toward
harbor entrance and attack them?''
you have not read anything about in
dicating any plan Of battle
QUESTIONS BY RAYNER
Mr.. Ravner asked a number of ques-
tions intended to show that the Admirals
official reports and his present state |
ments as to speed were not consistent |
Admiral Evans was also questioned as
to his statements concerning the dis |
tance the blockading vessels were out at |
night. He said yesterday that the ves-
sells of the blockading squadron were |
farther out at night than during the |
day, and Mr.. Rayner read a previous |
statement from him TO the effect that |
at daylight we closed in" This, the |
witness said, was the exact fact; that |
after being out farther at night the ves-
Sels came in closer at daylight.