New-York tribune., 1901-10-17
TESTIFYING FOR SCHLEY
FIVE OFFICERS OF THE BROOK.
LYN HEARD.
THEY SAY SCHLEY WAS COOL AND
COURAGEOUS IN BATTLE-sIGNALs
IN THE SANTIAGO FIGHT.
rRT TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNE.l

IBY THE thlbDNE'J
Washington, Oct 16-To-day the twenty
nf.h OF the schley court Of inquiry. and al
though much Of the testimony was largely
repetition Of what has already been heard popu-
lar interest shows no sign Of waning, the crowd
in the courtroom being greater than ever. Five
officers OF the Brooklyn occupied the attention
Of the court the entire day. The proceedings
began with the recall Of Captain Cook and
Lieutenant Commander Sears. both OF whorn
made material additions to their former tesu-
mony. and they were followed in succession by
Commander Newton z. Mason, who was the
executive officer Of the Brooklyn; Lieutenant
Edward McCauley. jr who signal officer.
and Lieutenant Charles Webster. who had
charge Of the forward gun deck battery in the
battle off Santiago and was a watch officer
Captain Cooks new testimony related to the
uncoupling of the Brooklyn's engines and to the
voyage Of the Flying Squadron from Cienfuegos
20 Santiago. explaining in some detail the cause
Of the slow progress made on that occasion.
Lieutenant Commander Sears spoke again Of
the conversation reported as having taken place
between himself and officers of the Massachu-
setts in the wardroom Of that vessel on May 81
in which he was alleged to have said that it had
been difficult TO get Commodore Schley up to the
point OF undertaking the bombardnent Of the
Colon. and he again denied that he had said
anything rejecting on his superior officer.
Commander Mason and Lieutenants McCauley
and Webster gave accounts Of the engagement
OF July 3. Mr.. McCauley recited in detail the
signals made at the instance Of Commodore
Schley. When asked IL Commodore Schley had
said anything in the battle for the encourage
rnent Of the men, he replied that he several
times said Give 'em hell, bullies"' All these
witnesses testified that the conduct Of the Com
nodore when under FIRE was cool and cour-
ageous Commander Mason before the war held
confidential relations with Sampson as an ord
nance expert. and when he took the stand to-
day great curiosity was manifested TO learn
whether not he biassed. When he de-
clared that Schey's conduct in battle was al
ways calm collected and brave" ne caused
quite a stir among the score or so Of naval off,
GERS present. The chief points Of his story re-
lated the accurate ranges used July g.
which were much less than half the estimated
distances given by observers from other vessels
Lieutenant Webster's observations of bearings
IN the battle OF July 8 were sharper than those
Of other officers and he was apparently always
on the lookout. He discovered the moving COL
umns Of smoke in the harbcr the afternoon be-
fore the Spaniards dashed out, and reported
them 70 Captain Cook. He also climbed into the
foretop Of the Brooklyn, then coaling, in the
reconnaissance Of May 81, and, using a glass;
saw shot strike under the counter Of the Colon
and shots from the shore fall the American
ships. He also thought at the time that the bat
teries were good deal stronger than they after
ward turned out TO be-
Captain Clark, Of the Oregon, will testify in
Schley's behalf next Monday, and Schley him
self expects 70 occupy the witness chair for three
four days next week