The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-22
scHLEY GAVE THE COMMAND: "LET US GET OUT OF THIS"

washington. Sept. 2i.-oniy one new wit
ness was introduced to-day to the naval
court which is investigating the conduct of
Admiral Schiey during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war This witness was Commander
Seaton Schroeder, who was executive officer
of the battieship Massachusetts during the
war. and is now Governor of the Island OF
Guam. His testimony dealt with the
cruise OF the Flying Squadron from Cieh-
fuegos to Santiago. and the bombardment
OF the Spanish ship Cristobol Colon, as she
Law in the mouth of the harbor at Santiago
on May 81.
The Commander said that the cruise was
rot as expeditions as it should have peen.
He also said that in the bombardment oi
the Colon the feet had not acted as oe-
Nberately as the Cammander-in-Chiet hau
announced it to be his purpose to nave Il
act.
SEEKING COMPARISON OF
SCHLEY WITH SAMPSON.
While Commander Schroeder was giving
his testimony, Judge Wilson. counsel for
Admiral Schley, sought to have him make
a compartscn of the distance of the feet
from, tns shore under Admiral Schley with
the distance under Admiral Sampson after
The latter officer arrived and took command,
hut the Judge Advocate objected and Mi.
wilson withdrew the question. saying, how
ever. that he did so only temporarily, and
that he would raise the point at a later
stage in the investigation.
The forenoon sitting was devoted mainly
70 the cross-examination Of Commander
Harder and Admiral Higginson, the latter
Had dr,fra HiCCinSOn
corrected his statement made yesterday con-
cerning the distance from shore maintained
by the feet during the blockade of Santi-
ago. He said that early in the blockade
the feet was five or six miles out to sea,
moving up closer later.
RECALL ORDER TO COAL.
The first witness called was Captain Har-
hsr. executive officer of the Texas during
the Spanish war. who was on the stana
when the court adjourned yesterday.
The Judge Advocate asked no questions
of him, and he was Immediately turned
over to Mr. Rayner of counsel for Admiral
Schley. who questioned him concerning his
statement made yesterday to the erect thae
he did not recall that there was any picket
line established inside the line OF biockaoe
at Cienfuegos. A report by Admiral Schiey
was read to the effect that picket line
had been maintained. but the Witness ue-
clined to change his statement.
Asked if the Brooklyn had not on May
81 signaled the Texas 10 go alongside 'ns
collier end coal, he said he did not recall
anything Of the kind Mr. Rayner reao
the signal message as follows: TO along
side The collier and coal as rapidly as pos
..h,e'' but no amount of pressing could
bring the witness to say that ne remem-
bered the incident. He had. he said. had
very little to do with the signaling. The
same replies practically We're made in re-
s?onsa TO questions regarding other sig
nails.
THOUGHT SHORE SIGNALS
WE'RE MADE BY STANDARDS.
Mr. Rayner quoted several of these. One,
transmitted from the Texas to the Brook
lyn. read: ION afterthought the Captain
thinks IL unsafe to put collier between
battleships." Another from the Texas read:
10 not think it safe for collier. The two
ships will surely crush her.
Captain Harber replied that he remem-
bered there was some talk of the collier,
but he could not recall what it was.
Speaking of the signals observed off Glen
fuegos. he said. his supposition, as was
that Of the other officers, was that they
were between the Spanish forces Captain
Harber was also questioned closely. con-
cerning the rate of speed of the fleet on the
sail from Cienfuegos to Santiago on May
Is. He said the weather was fresh and the
sea moderate. so that it was hard for small
thought the Texas could have made from
ten to twelve knots.
Mr.. Raynor had the witness reading logs
from the Massachusetts,, the Iowa, the
Brooklyn and other vessels concerning the
weather at that time. Mr.. Raynor read a
report from Captain Higginson saying that
the weather had been trough and squally''
on the 25th. Captain Harder stated that
the report of Captain Higginson was not
horne out by the logbook of his ship. ut
does not correspond with the log,'' he said.
and he added that, having given his best
recollection concerning the weather. he
thought Mr.. Rayner had an Interior motive
in his questions. Mr.. Rayner declared that
he had no such end in view.
Then said the witness, II have given
you my best recollection concerning the
weather"
torney.
THAT is what have given you." repeated
the witness.
CAPTAIN Lemly objected to the examina-
tion OF Captain Harber on the record of a
ship which he had no part in preparing.
The court retired to consider the point.
After an absence OF ten minutes the court
returned. announcing its decision, sustain
ing the objection that the witness could not
he examined upon the log of the Massachu-
setts.s
POSITION OF FLEET
AT NIGHT TINE.
Continuing his testimony. Captain -Harber
insisted that the weather on May 25 was not
rough" He also maintained that it was
his recollection ass stated yesterday, that
the fleet was further out at night than in
the daytime. When his attention was called
10 a contrary statement by Admiral Hig-
ginson the witness said that It was not
material to him what any other men had
said; that he had given his estimate and
was not concerned about the statements of
others.
Then you object to having your MEM
ory refreshed said Mr.. Rayner
II said nothing of the Kind replied the
witness. II am here to give my testimony
and object to being spoken to in the way
you speak to me-.
He also objected to Mr.. Rayner's shaking
his finger at him. saying he construed It
as q menace.
Mr.. Rayner insisted that he meant to be
entirely respectful and not to menace the
witness.
The counsel questioned the witness con-
cerning his estimate that at night the ves-
ses OF the fleet steamed eight miles to the
eastward and seven miles to the westward
OF the mouth of the harbor. The point was
sought to be made that to make this sail
of fifteen miles would require a greater
speed than three knots an hour. which the
witness had testified was made, but Captain
.Harber maintained his position. saying he
had given. his best impression, Some of the
log entries he considered worthless as eyf-a
decce.
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