The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-25
APPROACHING TEE CLIMAX
Admiral Schley's Clear Narrative
Reaches the Battle Scene.

NoEsA Ok INJURY EeNNlohNs hlf
Details SIinuteIy the Events Lead
Ea= IN TO the Spanish Fleets An
nihiIation-Ships Under Heavy
Fire From the shore Batteries
During the Reconnoissancc-SiG
bees Positive Letter Read.
Admiral SChley was early on hand this
morning to continue his testimony be
fore the Court Of Enquiry. He went
10 the navy yard as usual in an open
street car, and shook hands with a double
row Of men and women on the way from
the gate to the building in which the en-
quiry is held. 1t was difficult to obtain
access to the big loft-Iike room over the
Eunners' workshop. where the Admiral Of
the Navy and his two associates have
been listening for a month TO testimony
regarding the operations Of the Flying
Squadron in the campaign Of 1895. The
great majority Of the spectators had TO
stand. wedged together most uncomfort-
ably and those behind the railing hear but
little Of what is going on
At II O'Clock. when Admiral Dewey
raped for order, there was hardly stand
ing room. so great was the crowd.
Lieutenant Commander Harlow was the
first witness When he had correct
ed his testimony, the Court asked:
ODD the Vixen carry any verbal re-
port from Commodore SChley to the com
manIeT-in-Chief that there was unusual
activity shown by the enemy in the hdr-
Dor on July p
A-To the best Of my recollection. the
Vixen received by megaphone from the
officer Of the deck Of the Brooklyn such
q message as that, and 20 the best Of my
belief she carried such message 70 the
flagship and other vessels OF the squad
ron.
Captain LemIy-were you personally
present when this mCgaphOne message
was reCeiyed2
At IS a matter entirely Of my recol-
lection. and n good recollection l was
personally present.
Captain Lemly handed the witness the
log Of the Vixen and asked him TO point
out in that any message such as the one
in question which had been received or
delivered.
The witness read from the log from 4
TO o'clock covering the time the message
was received. 1t showed that the Vixen
had gone out among the squadron to dis
tribute mail at that time. He said it was
his impression that il had been delivered
during that time.
Continuing the judge advocate Ques-
TONED the witness for some time regard
ing the receipt and delivery Of mails, and
then Mr. Rayuer developed the fact that
the Vixen had been used as G. sort Of an
errand and despatch boat; that it carried
many messages, and that there was very
little likelihood Of any Of them being re-
corded in the log
The witness said he kept a private
diary, but could not say whether he noted
this message IN L or not This journal
was IN Boston. he sati. and Captain Lem
y directed him to examine il upon re-
turning 10 his station. and advise him as
TO whether or not the entry was con-
tanned In his diary. He was then excused.
Captain Clark took the stand TO cor
rect his testimony. and made a few
changes Admiral Schley then resumed
his narrative.
Admiral SchIey Resumes.
BY Mr. Rayner:
Q--Admiral, do you want TO continue
or go back in your narrative 10 make any
statement that you omitted yesterday
Admiral SchIey-With Ia, Court per
mission / viii gp back TO the blockade al
Cienfuegos in order that, as ] go along
with my narrative, ] may make IL per-
1ecuy clear IN relation 10 CitnfuccOs
and the MCCalla memorandum. upon
which much stress has been laid. / desire
10 say that ] received but one COPY. d
there were others sent they should be
found in my papers that were returned
70 the Navy Department In February OF
January Of 1883 j have no recollection Of
any other than orc copy, and 1 think my
letter, 10 be found on page 415 Of the A ~
pendiN. must confirm the fact that ! got
only that one.
Admiral SchIey read a portion OF the
letter" Cienfuegos. May .. Sir. IN re-
ply 70 your letter. No s, ] would state
that ] am by no means satisfied that the
Spanish fleet Is not in CienfuegOs, etc.
He then continued
A--That strengthens my recollection. OF
ut Least my belief. that I got but ono
copy That letter confirms Il. The bat
tertes which have been spoken about were
lying b. hind the village. which. Of course
under international acceptance Of law
would not have been exempt from bonn
DaromCnt. bul the memorandum related
TO the masked batteries. which. 7 sup.
posed. were near the mouth OF the har
Dor, and. seeing no evidence Of them.
very naturally DID not Gre upon the bat
tcriCs Of the hErbOT- Consequently ! did
not feel that II would De- wise or prudent
70 waste ammunition when there Woult
be so much better use for IL later
Delays of the Flag Oaice.
Now in relation TO the records Of tn,
nag Office testified to by Mr.. Marks.
would like 10 invite attention 10 page Al
Of the Appendix as an evidence Of tn,
promptucss with which this office works
A despatch which was dated May .
reached me on the 10Th Of June
Captain LemIy dnterrupungJ-I regrc
very much 70 interrupt the witness in hi
narrative, but ] understand the Court IL
self wants facts. ] do not understau,
that this witness amy more than any OIh
Cr. Is here for the purpose Of making ar
gument ] do not think this is UroUc
testmOuy- The question OF the work
ing OF the flag Office is matter Of argu
Inent to be treated by counsel later on
Mr. Rayner-Ne have q right to teStif
70 the accuracy or matters This witUe=
has perfect right 20 give reasons for hi
actions. and 10 say why he did not 90 Ger
tain things and why hr did do ccrtai
things and be has done no more thai
that.
Captain LemIy-This is not q matter O
accuracy or iuaccuTacy. II IS an arEI
ment 20 show the iusuhlcioucy Cf hi
Office and u is nothing else, and iu v-ha
be has said he has avoided entirely m
question upon which 7 base nay objection
Admiral Dcwry-lt Is rmiUcntIy Vr0la
for the witness 20 say that despatch
written on May =. did not reach him uut
certain day, and then let the matte
drop there.
Mr. Rayuer 90 Admiral SchI.yJ-Wh,
was that despatch T,Csis,dZ
A-June 10. nearly ten or twelve day
after II was sent
Mr.. Rayuer-Weu now 10 on. II y0
wish me 70. ] viii read you the last q
your testimony yesterday.
Captain Cotton's Visits.
Admiral Schley took the printed t,sti
Enony. and then continued.
A.-RetuTning 20 the matter Of the ret
rOgrade. and the communication borne @
ME by Captain Cotton. and the test ITuuu