The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-02
Commander Sharp Testifies
Concerning the Movements
Of the Flagship Brook
lyn at Santiago.
Official Notes Of the Famous
Naval Battle Differ From
Original Reports Of
the Officers.
(By Associated Press.)

10Y <ASSOCldlou fTeSS.)
Washington Oct. 2.-The proceedings
of the Schley court Of inquiry today be-
gan with the usual recall Of former wit
nesses for the correction of their testi-
mony in the official record. After these
came Chief Yeoman Backer, who was
on the stand yesterday when the pro-
ceedingS closed. He was put under
cross-eXamination by Mr.. Raynor. The
formalities Of the day We're begun with
brief explanation of the large chart of
the southern coast of Cuba. This eX-
planation was made by Captain Lemly,
who said the chart had been prepared
from data collected since the war with
Spain and was much mcN> correct than
former charts. Captain rarlx-r ON be-
half of Admiral Schley. said he was will
Ing to accept the chart as authentic.
Evans Makes Explanation.
Admiral Evans appeared for the pur-
pose of making corrections in his testi-
mony of yesterday. Having made these
corrections, Admiral Evans rose and
formally addressing the court said:
May 1t please the court, in connec-
ton with one of these questions asked
me yesterday. unless Admiral Schley
objects. L will withdraw it and stop"
Mr.. Raynor: Could we look at the
letter."
"Certainly,' handing it to Mr.. Raynor.
ut is a matter entirely personal to me,
| sir. The way the question was put to
! me yesterday put me in the position OF
having Dragged Of destroying the whole
Spanish fleet on board the Brooklyn.
The identical words were used IN a let-
ter purporting to come from the Brook
lyn and published in a Washington
newspaper of July %, 1898. l immedi-
N la nf RI
ascertain the author of such q letter
and he ascertained it VS. woman
who had given the information. At the
same time 1 wrote to Captain Cook. OF
the Brooklyn, enclosing the article and
there is his reply. / should like that let
ter to go in the testimony in connection
with the testimony as the words are the
identical words used In this scuril:
letter published in the newspaper"
Mr.. Raynor: II do not object to any
explanation at all that you may make.
There was nothing wrong in the question.
ITSELF
Admiral Evans "The question was
put to me as if had stated 4 had shot
the bow off the Pluton, raked the Ther-
esa, knocked out the Furor.' etc. There
is Captain Cooks letter denyiaG that
such a conversation took place."
Mr. Raynor: The point is whether
the conversation was between you and
Commodore Schley."
Mr.. Raynor said he would object to
the presentation of the letter at this
time but not when Captain Cook is on
the stand.
Admiral Evans: II withdraw It,"
Mr.. Raynor: II am perfectly willing
you shall submit it at the proper time"
After some further colloquy the Incl
dent closed.
Commander Sharp Testi6es.
Lieutenant Commander Alexander NJ.
Sharp, who commanded the converted
yacht Vixen during the Spanish war,
was the first new witness of the day. He
testified that he had first fallen in with
the flying squadron on the morning
of May "a, off Cienfuegos. He said the
weather on the cruise from Cienfuegos to
Santiago had been ''squally," but not
sufficiently bad to interfere with the
speed Of the Vixen. The vessel had, not.
he said, been inurgent need of coal on
May &C.
Commander Sharp said that notwith.
standing he had been on board the
Continued on page three)