The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-17

Washington, Oct 17.--The 1rst new Wit
ness called before the schley court OF in
ouiry today was Lieutenant Commander
7. ID. Griffin, who, as lieutenant was
senior watch officer on the Brooklyn dur
ing the war with Spain. After him came
a number of the junior officers who
served on the Brooklyn during that
campaign.
AS usual before any of the new wit
nesses we're summoned number OF for
mer witnesses were called for the purpose
OF correcting their former testimony. II
had been the Intention OF Admiral
schley's counsel to PROFOUND yesterday
number Of questions to the court which IL
was proposed 20 put TO the witnesses for
the purpose OF determining to what ex-
tent Admiral Simpsons connection with
the present inquiry could he gone into
and IT was not decided until the beginning
OF the afternoon session to withhold the
auestions.
This decision was then reached largely
because 1t was believed that the in
formation intended 20 he ELECTED by the
questions could he secured In more di-
rect and certain way by Lieutenant Me
Csuley's testimony regarding signals on
July g.
QUESTIONS FORMULATED
The questions which had been formulat-
cd for presentation previous 10 Mr.. Nc
Caulcy's taking the stand, related prin-
oipaily to the movements Of Admiral
Simpsons flagship. the New York, on
July g. the day Of the battle of Santiago
and especially TO the signals OF that day
directing the fleet 10 disregard the flag
ships movements
n is SIN tho intention 10 present other
Questions involving Admiral SIMPSONS
relation 10 the inquiry before thr close
of the case. II seems probable that their
prcscntation VIII be deferred unTfT t1me
shortly before the beginning OF Admiral
Schleys testimony.
The first OF yesterdays witnesses called
for the core i.on OF testimony was
Commander Mason and after him came
in succession. Lieutenant Commander
sears, Lieutenant McCauley and Lieut.
enant Webster.
SAW SIGNAL LIGHTS.
A number OF ~Cditional questions were
addressed 10 Lieutenant Webster by Mr..
lianna. Replying. the witness said that
he had seen signal lights az night ON the
shore while lying off Santiago I'm con-
nection with the question OF distance or
shore at Santiago. Mr. Hanna asked
while the vessels were on blockade at
Santiago from May % 90 the 3lst. inclu-
siNc. were YOU able, during the night,
60 distinguish points inshore readily while
you were on watch?"
The witness replied in the negative.
Gould YOU make out Aguidores and
u MAS not familiar with the coast at
that time and could not have known
those points under any circumstances.
but " was so dark l. think | could not
have seen them.
"What was the background"
"The high hills back OF Santiago did
give us good points later when we were
familiar with them We could see them
quite readily
BY AID OF sEARCHLIGHTs.
eCoald you discover the shore line at
mot the line of breakers. II there were
Could YOU see the vessels on the inner
"Not without The aid ~ scarchlights."
on redirect examination Mr.. Rayncr
asked Lieut. Webster concerning the
bearing of the Iowa and the Texas on
the morning OF JuiN :, the beginning OF
the battle
me NlnlcSS salu uleN pore anaii lllH
stsrhosrd beam OF the Brooklyn. the
Texas being 10 the right of the Iowa.
Tho Brooklyn was beaded, he said. north
or northwest.
In reply 10 another question by Mr.
Rayncr he stated that after the surrond-
~ " the Colon JULY he bad gone to the
forecastle 90 look for other ships. lie
had only Tccn the Oregon and the Texas.
The smoke OF other vessels was visible,
but not the vessels themselves.
LIEUT.. COM. GRIFFIN TEsTIT1Es
when Lieut. Webster was excused
Lieut. Commander Griffin was called. tie
gave details OF the Cienfucgos campaign
saving that tho distance OF the biockad-
ing line there varied from three 20 seven
miles. being farther out az night
Speaking ~ the voyage from Glen
fucgos to Santiago. the witness said the
weather was heavy" and that there WAS
n short choppy sea." He also said thai
the heavy sea had impcdcd the feet by
delaying tho smaller vessels especially
the Eagle
Asked BY Mr.. Rayner concerning
conversation between Commodore Schiev
and the commander Of the Eagle the wit.
ness said:
n WAS present when the conversation
took place. although 7 cannot give the
exact words. when the Eagle came up
ssfern of the Brooklyn. the comm pdore
hailed the commanding officer of .ast
vessel and told him IN substance that he
could nni DELAY the squadron any longer
on he account and that he wanted him
90 proceed 10 Jamica for coal
The comma nding officer ~ the Eagle
seemed very desirous " remaining with
the squadron. and expressed sincere re-