The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-22
so SAYS THIS WITNESS
In Bombarding the Colon the Fleet
Acted With Too Little
Deliberation.
THEY COULD HAVE GONE IN NEARER
Such is the Testimony Of Schroeder Before
The Naval Court. Higginson
and Harber Are Recalled and
Cross Examined.
Cross Examined.
(By the Associated Press.)


Cross Examined.
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Sept. 21.-Only one new
witness was introduced today to the naval
court which is investigating the conduct
OF Admiral Sehley during the Spanish
war.
This witness was Commander Seaton
Schroeder who was executive officer of
the battleship Massachusetts during the
war and is now Governor of the Island
OF Guam. His testimony dealt with the
cruise of the flying squadron from
Cienfuegos to Santiago and the lombard
ment of the Spanish ship Cristobal Colon
as she lay In the mouth Of the harbor at
Santiago on May 31st. The Commander
said that the cruise was not as expedi-
tious as 1t should have been. He also
said that in the bombardment of the
Colon the fleet had not acted as deliber-
ately as the commander in chief had an
nounced 1t to be his purpose to have it
act.
While Commander Schroeder was giving
his testimony Judge Wilson counsel for
Admiral Schley sought to have him make
comparison of the distance of the fleet
from the shore under Admiral Schley
with the distance under Admiral Sampson
after the latter officer arrived and took
command, but the Judge Advocate OBJ
jected and Mr.. Wilson withdrew the
question. saying however, that the did
SO temporarily and that he would raise
the point at a later stage in the inves>
tigation.
HARDER AGAIN CALLED.
The first witness called was Captain
Harber executive officer of the Texas
during the Spanish war, who was on the
stand when the court adjourned yester-
day.
The Judge Advocate asked no question
of him and he was Immediately turned
over to Mr.. Rayner, of counsel for ADJ
miral Schley, who questioned him con-
corning his statement made yesterday to
the effect that he did not recall that
there was any picket line established in
side the line of blockade at Cienfue-
gcs. A report by Admiral Schley was
read. to the effect that picket line had
been maintained, but the witness de-
clined to change his statement.
Asked If the Brooklyn had not, IN May
Gath, signalled the Texas to go alongside
the collier and coal, he said he did not
recall anything of the kind. Mr.. Ray
ner read the signal message as follows:
Go alongside the collier and coal as
rapidly as possible" but no amount OF
pressing could bring the witness to say
that he remembered the incident He
had, he said, had very little to do with
the signalling.
Captain Harber was also questioned
closely concerning the rate of speed of
the feet on the sail from Cienfuegos to
Santiago on May 25th
he said the weather was fresh and the
sea moderate; that it was hard for small
vessels, but 1t was nothing much" He
thought the Texas could have made from
ten to twelve knots. Mr. Rayner had
the witness read from the logs of the
Massachusetts, the Iowa, the Brooklyn
and other vessels concerning the weather
at that time. Mr.. Rayner read report
from Captain Higginson. saying that the
weather had been rough and squally''
on the 5th. Captain IIarber stated that
the report of Captain Higginson was not
borne out by the log book of his ship.
1T does not correspond with the log. "
uS cuiu, anu HC duucu lHdt HdNluR given
his best recollection concerning the
weather. he thought Mr.. Rayner had an
ulterior motive in his questions. Mr.
Raynor declared that he had no such end
in view.
OBJECTION MADE AND SUSTAINED.
Captain Lemly objected to the exami-
nation of Captain Harder on the record oil
a ship which he had had no part in pre-
pariug.
The court retired to consider the point
After an absence of ten minutes the
court returned and sustained the objec-
tion that the witness could not be ex-
amined upon the log of the Massachu-
setts.
Captain Harber maintained that it was
his recollection as stated yesterday that
the feet was further out at night than
in the day time. When his attention was
called to contrary statement by Ad-
miral Higginson the witness said that
i. was not material to him what any 9TH
er man had said.
Then you object to having your mem
ory refreshed said Mr.. Raynor.
II said nithing Of the kind replied the
witness. II anu here to give my testi-