Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-31
THE NAVAL COURT.
Admiral Schley Relates the Events
Of the Sd Of July.
bis NARRATIVE STRAIGHTFORWARD.


Washington, Oct. 26.-When the
Schley court Of inquiry adjourned
yesterday Admiral Schley had not
completed his t. stimony in chief. He
took the stand about 1880 o'clock,
after former witnesses had been re-
called for the purpose OF making cor
recticns in and additions to their
testimony, and continued his state
ment until the court adjourned at
$40 p. m. This adjournment 20 min
utes in advance of the usual time was
due to the fact that the admirars
throat had become somewhat sensi-
tive as result of his continuous
talking Thursday and yesterday. he
had made complaint to the court OF
the condition of his throat immedi-
ately after concluding his recital OF
the story of the battle of Santiago
and Admiral Dewey, who evidently
himself had noticed the difficulty, re-
sponded by showing willingness to
adjourn the court Mr.. Rayner, how
ever, expressed a desire to proceed,
saying that he had number of ques-
tions which he wished to ask, and
Admiral Schley assented to his coun-
sells suggestion. A quarter of an
hour later Admiral Dewey himself
renewed the suggestion for an ad-
iournment and, all concerned agree
ing to this proposition, the court adj
journed until Monday at II o'clock.
The day was a notable one in the
court. BY all odds the largest crowd
that has yet attended any of the SEES
sions was present and interest was
manifested throughout the proceed
ings. Long before the beginning OF
the morning session all the seats re-
served for visitors in the court room
were occupied and the greater por-
ton of the space in the rear OF these
seats was covered by men and women
standing. They not only stood on the
floor, but upon window stills and
tables, and even the rude elevator
machinery in that portion of the
hall was covered by men, On only
one occasion was there any effort at
applause and this was suppressed be-
fore It had reached any magnitude.
The chief event Of the day was the
admirafs relation of the events OF
July 3, when the American feet sent
Cervera's squadron to the bottom OF
the sea or to the beach. He told
his story OF this historical occur
renee in plain words and in unaffected
style, but the narrative was straight
forward and to the point, indicat-
ing close familiarity with all the
phases of that event. lie said that
the Brooklyn had for time sus-
tanned the fire OF all four Of the Span
ish ships and also the fire of the
Spanish land batteries, Explaining
the historical turn of his own flag
ship, the Brooklyn, he said that she
had not approached to within less
than GOO yards of the Texas and that
he never had considered that vessel
in the least danger. lie also stated,
, in response to an Interrogation from
, Mr.. Rayner that he had never dur
ing the battle engaged in any collo-
!, guy with Lieut. Hodgson and that he
had not used the expression attrib-
uted to him by Hodgson. This re-
fers to the alleged colloquy in which
the admiral is charged with having
said damn the Texas Admiral
Schley also gave the details of the
reconnaissance of May 81 when the
Spanish ship Cristobal Colon was
, bombarded. In this connection he
denied the statements attributed tic
, him by Commander Potts, of the bat
|, tleship Massachusetts,.
:, Preceding the adjournment Of the
court yesterday the question of call
!, ing Admiral Sampson to the stant
, was revived by Judge Advocate Lem
", who reminded MIR. Rayner that he
, (Mr. Rayner) had suggested somt
L
time ago that he desired the ADM
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