Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-23

WASHINGTON, d. C., October q
M Smiley court of inquiry opened to-
~ with Lieut.. B. W. Wells, Jr., who
VAS Commodore Sehley's flag lieutenant
8r5ng the Spanish war. still on the
f.ai but he was soon displaced to
s55W Woman Albert V. Mason. who
al written the Brooklyn's log for the
.riad covering the Santiago campaign,
D testify. Mr.. Mason explained the
-asIre in the log referring to the
-aakiyns turn on the day of the bat
j II Santiago. He was followed by
George Z. Graham, who, as an AS
fated Press correspondent, was with
commodore Schley during the entire
campaign.
Hr Graham's testimony covered all
taa principal events of the campaign,
sri discussed especially the lombard
usnt Of the Spanish ship Colon on May
alst. and the battle of Santiago on July
Be. Mr.. Graham testified to hearing
conversation between Commodore
hley and Captain Sigsbee, when the
!atter came aboard the flagship Brook
ign off Santiago. May 26th. He said
t5at he had distinctly heard Captain
-bee tell the Commodore that the
spanish fleet was not inside the harbor
a. Santiago Mr. Graham a!5o stated
nat Admiral Schley had told him that
tho object of the bombardment of May
st was to develop the Spanish land
batteries, and he said that the range
Is fixed at 1000 or 800 yards in
fiar TO draw their fire. He further
81 with reference to the events of
TINS engagement, that he had heard no
in which Commodore
S5bley had said that the officers in
their white uniforms were conspicuous
objects Mr.. Graham detailed a con-
yersation between Commodore Schley
and Captain Robley D. Evans, WEIGH
l4ok place after the Santiago engage
aent. There was some discussion as
To the admission of this statement,
int the court decided that any CONVEX
kation between the Commodore and any
one else bearing upon the case was adj
Missile.
The witnesses for the afternoon were
Dennis j. Cronin, who was Admiral
5 hley's orderly, and who also testi-
ded along the same lines as Mr.. Ora
ham to The conversation with Captain
SEsbee; Lieut.. Commander William r.
EHsh, who said he thought the Viscaya
lad planned to ram the Brooklyn;
iiout. Edward Simpson, who gave
cry graphic picture of the battle of
July Sd; and Lieut.. Edward T. Fitz-
Gerald, an assistant engineer who was
n duty in the fire room on July Sd,
nd who testified that an order had
zen given early in the action to stand
u for a ram
When George Edward Graham, the
Associated Press correspondent, was
allied, he said he had been on the
baeklyn from March 29th to August
2lta. 1898. He was questioned concern
iag the conversation between Commo-
IRE Schiey and Captain Sigsbee on the
5eeasion of the captains visit to the
Brooklyn on May 26th. as follows:
Did you see Captain Sigsbee on
board the Brooklyn on May 26th?''
Yes. Sir"
Did you hear him in conversation
win Commodore Schley?"
res. sir
Can you give us what conversation
a5s?"
After he had reached the quarter
'tek Of the gangway he stopped. and
2mmodore Schley said to him: Have
We got EN- Sigsbee?' Captain Sigsbee
sid: No. they are not here. l have
'sen here for a week and they are not
acle.'R
Is that the whole of the converse
soas YOU recollect?"
No sir, we went aft further back OF
ne quarter deck. and he continued the
'hversation. Commodore Schley said
NE you sure they are not in there
t@ said I have been very close to the
4 sfoor entrance two of three times.
7ptain Cotton has been in and CUT
et7.e and they are not there. y
You heard Sigsbee say that?"
Yes, sir took some part in the con-
Yersation.'
Dld you record that conversation
and did Captain Sigsbee know you re-
corded it?"
captain Sigsbee knew l was a news
Pdper man and was there looking for in
'oFmation, and Capt Sigsbee later took
d despatch written by me and vised
~ Commodore Schley He took it
a2osrd his ship and he was to deliver
It 10 one of the small boats or else take