New-York tribune., 1901-10-26

SO CeIeD1dleu.
WHY THE HELM WAS PUT APoRT.
Mr. Rayner-While talking about this loop.
why didn't the ship turn with helm hard
a-starboard?
simply for the reason that IT would have
carried US into dangerous proximity to torpedo
attack. broadside torpedo attack of the
enemy's vessels. My Judgment was that at that
stage of the action the Brooklyn ought not to
be sacrificed; that so far as it might AFFECT the
result to individuals | thought that was con-
sideration that should be turned aside for the
higher and more important one-the interests OF
the country she was there to subserve
AS the uncoupling of the engines, Admiral
Schley testified that he thought they were un-
coupled by a standing order OF the comma nder-
in-chlef. At the same time he said he believed
the uncouplng was wise. both because IL would
keep down the heat below decks. which was
wellnigh insupportable for the men as IL was.
and also on account of the desirability of econ
omizing coal I'VE felt" he said. that with one
engine and all the boiler power we could get up
ali the speed that needed Our efficiency
was constantly increasing, while that or the
Spanish ships decreasing.
Nr. Rayner then asked Admiral Schley il he
had asked Admiral Sampson if there were any
signals with the insurgents.
Il did he replied. but the Admiral said he
knew of none"
Mr.. Rayner then called the attention of Ad-
miral Schiey to the f2iioWng Tyng dispatch dated
of the Navy:
schley has been ordered to Santiago de Cuba.
SAMPSON.
Mr. Raynor asked If he had ever been ordered
70 Santiago before the dispatch of Nav 81
which it had been said he did not receive until
June 10, to which the Admiral replied: NO ex-
cept under the Order No. s, leaving the matter
There is nothing. then between Order No. 8
and the dispatch 1 have given?"
NO. nothing
CFRvERAS ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE.
Here Mr. Rayner reminded the witness that
there had been more or less discussion of the
possibility of the escape of the Spanish squadron
through the blockading line at either Cienfuegos
or Santiago without being detected. and request
ed from the Admiral an expression on this sub
Ject.
possible replied the Admiral, simply because
the squadron. from the position which ii occu-
pied before these ports always would have had
that squadron, had it attempted to escape. under
its gun fire had no trouble IN seeing the
beach go per cent Of the time. and looked
at II with very great care.
Here Mr.. Rayner asked a number of questions
concerning interviews WITH Captains Cotton and
Wise and other officers intending 10 bring
information to make perfect the record. He also
called attention To the testimony given by Lieu
tenant Wood. who had said that Admiral Schley
was extremely nervous when he delivered Ad-
miTal Simpsons dispatch instructing him to go
to Santiago. AIr. Rayner dwelt on the words
Lieutenant Wood had employed in describing
Admiral Schleys nervousness. Lieutenant Wood
had said the Admiral got up and sat down
and occasionally walked around
, Did you ever get UP and sit DOWN.? asked
Mr.. Rayuer. with mock seriousness.
1T is rather a habit have" replied Admiral
Schley. amid general laughter. which the court
did not rebuke. But / object TO Lieutenant
Woods deductions" the Admiral added. Il
only him for n few minutes. He was in
such condition that ! relieved him and al
lowed him to rest and sleep on board the
Brooklyn
Mr. Rayner also questioned the witness con-
Cerning statements made before the court by
Lieutenant Hood. who had said that on the oc-
caSiOn OF his official visit on board the Brooklyn
when she lay of Cienfuegos he had told Com
CaHln 1plfrI Il ca 81
cred his information Of the presence of the
Spanish fleet at Santiago as definite. The Ad-
miral's answer was: mo. nor do l understand
how ne could have communicated such informa-
tion. in view OF the doubt which Captain Chad
wick said existed in the Admirafs mind after
he had received the Information from Lieutenant
staunton on the GOTH that the Admiral felt
sure that the fleet there. AS he was the
bearer OF dispatches to me. 1 do not see why
the Admiral could have expressed 10 him one
thing when Captain Chadwick seems 20 have
felt that the Admiral thought oppositeiy."
CAPTAIN LEMLY OBJECTS.
The tenor OF this called forth an objection
from Judge Advocate Lemly. Il don't think
ne said. the witness ought TO answer with an
argument. This point has been once ruled upon
by the court. He should answer the question as
I 10 the facts
Mr.. Rayner-I think he has answered pretty
well.
Captain Lemly-The last answer is plainly
argument
Admiral Dewey-Scratch the answer out
Mr.. Rayner-Yes. let it go out II is so good l
will use 10 In my argument.
II must say i do not remember a conversa-
tion with Lieutenant Hood lasting over about
two minutes" said Admiral Schley. continuing
his testimony Il never saw him again until l
sent him back with dispatches. According 70
his evidence there is detailed here what might
have occupied an hour. but don't think saw
him over three minutes"
Admiral Schley also referred again at the in
stance OF Mr.. Rayner, TO the conversation with
( Captain McCalla on the latter's arrival OIL
Cienfuegos. reported by the latter in his
statement made before the court. In that
statement Captain McCalla said he had in
formed Commodore Schley on that occasion
! that Cervera had been authoritatiyey reported
! as having entered Santiago on May ~. and
/ was believed To he still there when he NC
! Calla) had left Key West, on the 21st-
Replying this question, Admiral Schley
! said: Il have recollection at all about that.
/ / do not recall any conversation on that first
occasion with Captain McCalla, except In re-
/ gard the insurgents and the system of sig
| nails which he had arranged and the orders
| which were given to him to proceed westward.
| i do not recall any other
Mr.. Rayner-Do you remember what took
! place at the time he says YOU said that the
/ English had demonstrated that ships could not
! be coaled at sea- and also that If YOU returned
| TO Key West you would be court martialled?
THAT has escaped me. do not have any
| recollection of il. l would be likely to Temem-
| ber it II such a conversation had been held
With the above statement Admiral Schey
ended his testimony for the day. Ii was now
| within twenty minutes Of the usual adjourn
| ment time. and the Admiral complained of an
| irritation in his throat. due to the prolonged
| use of his voice and the court agreed 10 an
| adjournment for his relief. Indeed. Admiral
| Dewey had already noted the condition of the
| witness, and had indicated willingness TO
| cuse him for the day.
| SAMPSON NOT To BE CALLED
Before the court could adjourn. however.
| Judge Advocate Lemly and revived the