The Washington times., 1901-10-15

it was in Santiago.
When the weather moderated on the
morning of May q. and the Texas was
able to coal, Schley decided to go to San
tiago and coal from colliers if 1t was
found practicable and if not go TO
Gonaives Bay and coal there. He describ-
ed the blockade, and said that Schiey's
idea was to keep the ships moving slowly
back and forth in front Of the harbor in
order that they might be ready for action
at any time He placed the vessels four
TO six miles from shore by day and closer
at night
Description of the ssLOop.v
But the most interesting part Of Captain
Cooks testimony was in regard TO the
battle Of July g. which included his de-
scription of the loop" Of the Brooklyn.
OF which so much has been said. He told
the story graphically and every ear was
strained to catch his words. He gave
the order TO put the helm hard aport, he
said, and Schley Immediately afterward
followed with a similar order. Never at
any time, he averred, did the thought OF
collision with the Texas enter his mind
There was never any danger OF that the
Brooklyn passed clear of the Texas 4Vo
yards about the distance they had main
tanned on the blockade.
Had they turned the starboard helm the
Brooklyn would probably have bianketed
the fire of other ships. When the flag
ship drew up after her turn parallel with
the fleeing enemy she received alone the
fire Of their three leading ships. At this
critical time the rear of the Brooklyn
was enveloped in smoke, until looming
up out of these great clouds the oregon
appeared. After that Captain Cook SAID
he felt assured. He also told of the sig
mails given by Schley during the engage
ment. Then he concluded the description
of tho battle with the answer in reference
to Schley's conduct above quoted.
When Captain Cook was excused Lieu
tenant Fullan, who was aboard the New
orleans. was called. He told of the block
ade before Santiago and Of the reconnois-
sance of May 81. but nothing new OF OF
great Importance was developed from
him. He is young officer. and, ike
lieutenant Bristol, he took occasion to dls-
credit the stadimeter. he said it was un-
reliable and inaccurate for distances over
1900 yards.
Ex-Lierit. Joseph Beall, a volunteer
naval officer aboard the Harvard during
the war, was the last witness called by
CAPTAIN Ltmly. He explained the dis-
crepancies in the "disooecience OF
orders telegram. He said that he hah
beer given Schiey's message to place IN
cipher. and that when he could not hnd
words in the code, which expressed the
words which Schey used, he employed
words which expressed a similar mean
ing This. he said, accounted for the cli-
- farences TIE message ~ printed in the
appendix was a correct translation OF lhe
cipher message. as he had translated it
\ nN l.
ties the Governments case rested
here.
First Witness for Schley. -.
The Cuban pilot Eduardo NuEez. di-
n1inutive colorcd man. but with digni-
fed bearing, and apparently of consider
able intelligence, was the first witness
for Admiral Schley. He testified through
an Interpreter. In substance. he said that
he was a pilot. and had been for twenty
one years: that he knew the coast Of
Cuba very well, and the character Of the
ports
He said that he had informed Schley
that he did not believe that the Spanish
ships could get into Santiago Harbor, be
cause the channel was so narrow. and
especially that they could not without
tugs. and that there were no tugs. He
did not know that the vessels had twin
screws. a vessel Of the size Of the Wis
caya. he said had never entered the hdr-
bor before. This was on May 25, just be-
fore the retrograde movement began. On
June I, at the request Of Schley, he went
ashore and learned from Cuban sources
the number and character OF the Spanish
fleet and reported upon his return to
Sampson
When the Court convened at Il o'clock
7
er staunton, Captain Chadwick, and Lieu
tenant Twining were called in turn TO
correct their testimony. None Of them,
however, had any important corrections
to make.
Captain Cook; please" said the judge
advocate TO Captain Carpenter, Of the
Marine Corps, the provost marshal of the
court. Everybody in the court room
watched the commander Of Schieys flag
ship as he came down the long lane be-
tween the witness loom and the bar OF
the Court. Captain Cook bowed and
smiled as he passed Admiral Schley, and
that officer bowed and smiled in return.
Mr.. Hanna examined the witness. To
preliminary questions. Captain Cook said
the orders OF the Flying Squadron in pro-
ceeding 70 Cuba were to intercept or meet
the Spanish fleet. it having been deter
mined at that time that the enemy would
make Cienfuegos his objective point He
understood at the time that the fleet car
ried munitions Of war, and Clenfuegos
being accessible by railroad to Havana,
he supposed that TO be its destination. 1t
was his impression at the time that the
enemy would be encountered in the vicin-
ity of Cienfuegos.
Questioned rs 10 Details.
Mr. Hanna went infinitely into every
incident of the Flying Squadrons cruise
from Key West to Cionfuesos. Captain
Cook said he remembered Commander
Dayton, Of the Cincinnati, when the Fly
ing Squadron met that vessel, telling
Commodore Schley something about coal
ing facilities on the south coast of Cuba,
and his impression was that it was main
ly chart information and that Commander
Dayton thought ships couldn't be coaled
from Golfers there. The witness said he
had an indistinct recollection of meeting
the Mar5iehead, but did not remember
any information sent by her TO the COM
modore.
As to Commodore schley's statement
that he had heard firing as the squadron
approached Cienfuegos. which Schley said
he Interpreted as a welcome to the Span
ish fleet. Captain Cook testified that he
had not heard this firing. but it WAS
talked about on the Brooklyn, and that
it had occurred was regarded as an ac-
ceptod fact at the tim
The squadron arrived of Cienfucgos on
Ene morning Of May - said the WuAC SIS,
and the blockade was instituted inme-
diately. lie saw some cavalry on shore
that day, and on that night he saw lights.
but did not know what they meant. When
the British steamer Adula was permitted