The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-11-18
4 ScHLEY Man
Captain Parker One Of the
Admiral's S Counsel Chats
About the Case.
SURE OF VINDICATION
Review Of the Testimony Pre-
sented to the Court.

Captain James Parker, who was one
of Admiral w s. Schley's counsel in the
recently closed inquiry into the Admirafs
conduct in the Santiago campaign, was
in Chancery Chambers this morning.
He was surrounded BY his .brothers-in-
law, and bombarded with questions about
the inquiry, its scope and result. The
Captain was enthusiastic about Admiral
.sehley and said that he WAS cenaaents Ne
would be fully exonerated by Admirals
Dewey. Benham and Ramsey.
What other decision can they come
to?p he asked. HE was sent to prevent
the escape of the fleet and destroy them.
He accomplished it as we all know with
complete success"
/. Captain Parker in the course of his talk
criticized Judge Advocate Captain Lemly's
conduct in holding back testimony which
if presented would have been favorable
TO the Admiral and enjoining witnesses to
secrecy when he knew that they could
give evidence to the Admirals benefit.
..The main questions before the court.
said Captain Parker, were the turning
back or retrograde movement and the
reconnaissance of of May 81. On both
these points there was some diversity OF
opinion. Now, say that the Admiral on
the spot is the best judge of what taxes
place or should take place. l don't say
this by way of censure- In view OF tne
result, which was complete success,
cannot see what can be said adverse to
my friend Schley.
..His instructions were to see that. the
Spanish fleet didn't escape. What was
the result? Our Admiral sailed gally
away one fine morning with his flag fiy-
ing at the masthead, and within three or
four hours afterwards the Spanish fleet
was wrecked on the beach and Cervera
came on board an American vessel to sur
render, without shoes to his feet or hat
to his head. 1t would thus be d1ricult 10
arrive at any other conclusion that ms
mission was successful Do you want
further proof? Take the testimony OF
Captain Clark of the Oregon, and wnat
did he say? Why, he said that he saw
a pail of smoke between him and the
Brooklyn. and when it broke he saw the
four Spanish ships pouring shells at the
Brooklyn as fast as they knew how
From start to finish the Brooklyn was
in all the fighting done. Captain Clark
gives the highest praise to the Brooklyn
and Admiral Schley, you recall, praised
the Oregon,s part in the fight. Their tes-
timony is that Of brave and honorable
men,
Coming to the criticism of the Judge
Advocate Captain Parker said:-
"Although the inquiry was not trial.
yet it was conducted by Lemly as If
there were charges against Admiral
Schley. Notwithstanding the disclaimer
Lemly introduced evidence calculated to
condemn the Admiral, and he kept evi-
dence back which would have redounded
to the Admirars favor. Witnesses were
summoned by him, and when he found
they were going to testify his way he
dismissed them"
The Captain cited one instance where
an officer of the Brooklyn, during the
battle. was sent back from Washington
and enjoined to hold his tongue. That
officer went to Schey's counsel and told
everything AS to Admiral Evans and the
other Captains, whose testimony was I'M
favorable to Admiral Schley, Captain
Parker said that there was a great deal
of prejudice shown-prejudice born of ig-
norance of the facts. He was sure the
Courts findings would be favorable to his
client.
.sAnd I wish to add, he said in conclu-
sion, '.the Secretary of the Navy will sub
nit them without comment"