The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-03
Called by the Government He is Cues.
toned Also in the Interest
Of Schley.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ARE GIVEN
The Much Criticised Bombardment Of the Colon
Merely Reconnaissance to Develop the
Streng h Of the Spanish
Shore Batteries.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Oct. 2-An interesting turn
was given to the Schley Court of Inquiry
today by the introduction of the first
witness in Admiral Schley's behalf. This
watch officer on board the flagship
Brooklyn during the war with Spain.
The fact that Lieutenant Doyle was put
on the stand, does not mean that the
Navy Department has concluded the pre-
sentation Of it's side of the case. Mr..
Doyle was called by the department, but
as it had also been the purpose of Admiral
Schley to summon him, advantage was
taken of his presence on the stand to
question him as an original witness for
"the applicant He was examined by
Mr.. Rayner in the interest of the Ad-
miral, when the court adjourned for the
day.
Before undergoing examination at Mr..
Rayner's hands Lieut.. Doyle at Captain
Lemly's request explained his part in the
battle of July 8. and his original entry
in the ships log concerning the famous
loop and his alteration of that entry,
because he subsequently discovered that
his first entry had been erroneous.
Admiral Evans, Captain Sigsbee and
Correspondent Dieuade were all recalled
for the purpose of correcting their testi-
mony as given yesterday, and all made
additional statements.
SHARP OF THE VIXEN TESTIFIES
Lieut.. Commander Alexander M. Sharp,
who commanded the converted yacht
Vixen, was the first new witness of the
day. He said that the weather on the
cruise to Cienfuegos to Santiago had
been squally, but that it had not been
sufficiently bad to interfere with the
speed of the Vixen.
Describing the service of the Vixen du-
ring the siege of Santiago under Commo-
dofe Schley, Commander Sharp said that
he had been placed ON picket duty He
was about two miles from the shore, he
said.
Mr.. Hanna: could you have seen a
vessel undertaking to pass out near the
shore under those conditions?"
Commander Sharp: "If she had shown
no light and made no noise, l do not
believe we could
Commander Sharp told of going aboard
the Brooklyn with Lieutenant Harlow's
notes and of discussion concerning the
question whethef the Brooklyn made q
turn to port or starboard.
LIEUT.. HARLOW'S NOTES.
Captain Parker questioned Commando
Sharp concerning the notes made of the
battle of July 3rd, by Lieutenant Harlow
on hoard the Vixen. This report has oc-
casioned no little controversy. it being
claimed by some of Admiral Schley's
friends that after a copy of the notes
was delivered to the Admiral (then Com
modore) by Commander Sharp the origina
notes were changed somewhat. The wit
ness said that he had taken carbon
copy to the Commodore after the bat.
tle
DO these notes state the truth Of the
battle as you saw it?" asked Captain
Parker, and the witness replied: "These
are Lieutenant Harlow notes. He tool
them and l am not prepared to say yes
ro no whether they are absolutely correct
in every particular Or not
Commander Sharp said in response tc
questions by Mr.. Rayner that one of the
results of the bombardment of the Color
had been to develop the Spanish shore
batteries. Mr.. Rayner then asked: "Dc
you recollect conversation with Commo-
dore Schley after the Colon reconnois-
sance in the presence of Lieutenant Har-
low in which the Commodore remarked
that his purpose had been to develop the
strength of those batteries?''
"I really do not remember was the
response. 81 wish / could
On redirect examination Captain Lem.
ly brought out the fact as to the change
in the Harlow notes. Commander SHARP
said:
when l was writing my report of the
action of July 3, l said to Lieutenant Har
low, L desire a copy Of your notes taker
during the action to accompany my repor
to the Admiral His reply, as near a!
now remember it, was, These note:
were taken for the representative of ;
newspaper on board the Brooklyn, and
will have to make some changes in them.
l said Very we'll, | wish the notes tt
go with my report He afterward sub
mitted to me the notes written in scrip