Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1901-10-19
SCHLEY UNDER FIRE,
Progress of the Now Famous Naval
Inquiry.
A Synopsis of the Evidence Brought
Out by Government Witnesses-
SchIey Side of the Case
Is Begun.

Washington, Oct. 11.-Capt. Lemly
had supposed that he would be able
to conclude the presentation of the
governments side of the Schley case
by the close of this week, but he
now finds that he will still
have several witnesses on his list
when the court adjourns to day.
In all proba bility he will consume the
greater part of the first half of next
week. Mr.. Rayner estimates that the
court will not be able to conclude it's
work before the middle of November.
Lieut.. Adelbert Althouse, formerly
watch and division officer on the bat
tleship Massachusetts,. was called.
Lieut., A7thouse said that on the day of
the bombardment of the Cristobal Colon
he had been in charge of the eight-inch tur-
ret of the Massachusetts,. He said that the
ship had not been to exceed three minutes
In passing the entrance to the harbor on
the first passage and that only two shots
were then fired. The instructions were to
make the range 1000 yards. but the shots
fell short and the range was increased or
the return trip to $500 and then to 10000
yards. Asked what was developed as to
the strength of the land batteries by this
reconnaissance he said that to his mind 1t
was shown they were very weak. In re-
ply to a question as to whether he had
made any notes concerning the engagement
he replied: mo; we went in under instruc-
lions to sink the Colon" His orders had
been to direct his fire at that vessel
Dewey's Nephew on Stand.
Lieut. P. G. Dewey, nephew of Admiral
Dewey, who was a watch officer on the
Massachusetts,, was the next witness. He
placed the distance of the blockading line
y11.1 -,
of Santiago harbor at from five to eight
miles, the distance being about the same
day and night. There was, he said, no par
ticular formation of the vessels.
In reply to a question by the court as to
whether he was ordered to direct his fire
on the Colon or on the batteries on May 81
Lieut.. Dewey said that his orders were to
direct his at the Colon directly, but he could
not say whether Commodore Schley or
Capt. Higginson had given the order.
Lieut.. Francis Boughter, who was a
watch and division officer on board the
Marblehead during Commodore Schley's
blockade of Santiago, was then called. He
said that during that time the Marblehead
and the Vixen were on picket duty between
the shore line and the line of the blockade,
the Marblehead being stationed three miles
from the shore and to the westward, six
miles from the Moro. He would not at
tempt TO say how far outside the squadron
was, but he could not see the ships after
nightfall.
The court asked: "Was the Marblehead
in such position at night while on picket
duty off Santiago that the enemy's vessels
would have been seen had they attempted
to leave the harbor?'
The witness replied; THAT would de-
pend on a great many circumstances, the
state of the weather. the course they took,
and their success in keeping their ships
dark and quiet"
Admiral Dewey-The Marblehead was on
picket duty. Could she have seen the enc
my coming?
IF the enemy kept too close to shore and
we were three miles off during most of the
time we could not have seen them; If the
enemy had stood south from the entrance
which would have placed them about four
miles off we could not have seen them. pro-
vided they kept reasonably dark and
quiet.
When the afternoon session of the court
began Mr.. Rayner continued his cross
examination of Lieut. Boughter. The lieu
tenant said that his opinion of the dis
lance his ship was out from the Moro or
from land at Santiago was based on an
estimate and not on measurements.
Capt. Chadwick on Stand.
Capt. F. f. Chadwick, who commanded
the New York, and was Admiral Samp-
sons chief of staff, was called as a wit
ness. He testified concerning the code of
signals arranged by Capt. McCalla with
the Cuban insurgents at Cienfuegos, of
which he said Capt McCalla had Informed
him upon his arrival at Key West on May
10, 1898. He said he could not recall to
whom he had communicated the code; that
he had not Informed Commodore Schley
because Capt. McCalla was to return i'm
mediately to Cienfuegos where Admiral
Schley was stationed.
Capt. Chadwick recalled a conversation
he had heard between Admiral Sampson
and Commodore Schley at Key West in
which Commodore Schley had told the adj
miral that he was glad to be under his
command and assured him that he would
be entirely loyal to him.
Capt. Chadwick also said he had heard
Commodore Schley tell Admiral Sampson
after the latter's arrival at Santiago that
1t was impossible to blockade the s raniards
at Santiago If they desired to cone out.
Capt. Chadwick said that he had object
ed to the telegram of congratulation which
Admiral Sampson had sent to Commodore
Schley on May Is, considering 1t uncalled
for by the circumstances.
At four p. m, with Capt Chadwick still
on the stand. the Schley court adjourned.