The sun., 1901-10-14
COOK And THE LOOP.
The Brooklyn's Commander Told Nc
Kinley ALI About Maneuyer.
A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW.
officer May Testify In Inquiry on n
Line With Statements Made to the
Late Presidcnt--Opposed Re-
turn to Key West.

Washington, Oct. 13.-From source
that cannot be disputed it is possible
to give an outline of the testimony
which Captain Francis a. Cook, who
commanded the flagship Brooklyn in
the war with Spain under Admiral
Schley, will give in the present court
of inquiry proceedings. Captain Cook
will assume full responsibility for the
famous loop made by the Brooklyn,
but his testimony will show that the
retrograde movement by the flying
squadron was made at the order of Adj
miral dhen Commodore Schley and
that Captain Cook pointed out to his
superior that he was making serious
mistake.
Captain Cook already has covered /
these points i'll a conversation with
President Mckinley in 1899. The oc-
casion was on or about New Years
day, when, ON the invitation of the
president, the captains of the fleet
came to Washington and called upon
the chief executive at the White House.
They all endeaeorcd to dssuade the
president from promoting Commodore
Schley with the exception of Captain
Cook. The conversation which took
place is vouchcd for by one of the cap
tains present, generally regarded as
the most conservative of the lot. /.
was as follows:
President Asks About the Loop.
The President Captain, please ex
plain to me why Admiral Schlpy turn
cd to starboard instead of to poit.
(Thc famous loup1
Captain Cook-IIe did not. sir. | did
that.
The President-Was it you who gave
the order to turn to Starhuardg
Captain COok-Yes, sir.
The Why, | have always
understood that admiral Schlcy gave
that order.
Captain CookYcs. sir The papers
have 50 stated, but that is incorrect.
/ gave the order.
The Presitlent-Why?
Captain Cook Because l regarded il
MS a wise and judicious mauruyrr, ana
l so regard it still.
The Presidcnt--Wcll captain. as to
the beginning of the retrogradc move
ment, the turning back from Santiago
ana going toward Key West. Did you
give the order for that alsof
Captain Cook No, sin .Admira! Schley
gave that order.
Nnt II Wise Mnneuver.
The Prcsident.-Did you think that Il
wise and iudicious maneuvcr?
Captain Cook did not.
The President = Did you protest
against it?
Captain Cook-I did not.
The Presidcnt--Did YOU think It your
duty to lay your views before Commo-
dore Schley:
Captain COok-Ycs sir
The President-I1un why di.l yor
not do so?
Captain Cook--I did
The President What did YOU say to
him?
Captain Cooli-I told him that /
thought we ought not to turn back;
that we should remain nj Santiago.
The President What did he reply?
Captain Cook lie said that We had
moi sufficient coal
The Prcsidont-W What Mas your an
swer?
Captain Cook Il told him That I
thought he was mistaken; tImt We dd
haze sufficient coal; that the Brooklyn
at least had more than the necessary
amount Of coal
Tile President Please proceed. car
tain, ana give me this entire convcrsa.
tion.
Captain Cook Mr.. President. | bcr
that y0u win nut press me further
You arc hurting Inc worry much You
are requiring mr TO talk about my com
mandrr.
Tho President | will press The mat.
terno further
Naval officers who were present ana
hoard this conversation are cprt0in that
Captain Cook must giye tlr sam" All
swcrs now that hr did III 500, ana thi>
Will ranp Ms 4 particularly hard blow
to Admiral Schlcy, AZ The retro-radc
movement is one Of tic prinetpa
things charged against Srhley iii thC
present proceedings aud Is the oCcasior
on which Srhlcy Informed TIE navy de
paftmeut tIt hp was Obliged "tu Ills
obey" orders.