The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-24
SChIey to be Called Before Court
of Inquiry Today to Give His
Version of Battle Off Santiago
and Its Preceding Events
EIGHT WITNESSES
WERE HEARD YESTERDAY
While Boatswain Hill Was Civ
ing His Testimony Which Was
Very Complimentary to SchIey,
There Were Two 0utburSts of
Applause

| Washington, Oct. 23-Admiral 5chiey
is expected to take the witness stand
in the naval court of inquiry which
Is Investigating his conduct in the
! Spanish war, some time during the
| day tomorrow. This announcement is
justified by the progress made today in
the examination Of witnesses called to
I testify in the admiraps behalf. Eight
witnesses were heard today and theirs
are only three more names on the list
preceding the name of the admiral
himself, OF these three. only Capt
/ Clark of the Oregon is expected to tes-
tify at any length.
1t Is not probable that the admiral
will be called before the afternoon ses-
sion. He will be the last of the wit
nesses to be heard in support of his
side of the controversy. 1t is now con-
sidered probable that he will be on the
stand for two or three days.
1t is not yet possible to say whether
any witnesses win be called in rebuttaI
by the court, but it seems probable
that a few persons may be summoned
for this purpose. The testimony today
led Judge Advocate Lemly and Mr..
Hanna to decide upon the calling of at
least one rebutting witness. If he can
be found. This is Mr. Sylvester Scovel,
whose testimony is desired in connec-
ton with the incident OF the meeting
OF the press boat, Somers NJ. Smith,
by the scout boat, st. Paul, while the
latter was off Santiago in May. 1898.
The first of today's new witnesses,
James Hare, photographer on the press
boat. stated that Capt. Sigsbee of the
st. Paul had told the correspondents
aboard the Smith on May 26 or q that
Cervera's fleet was not inside the har-
Dor at Santiago. Mr. Scovel was among
the correspondents on the Smith, and
If he can be found he will be asked to
come to Washington and give his tes-
timOny on this incident. 1t is also
probable that an effort will be made to
rekuC other portions of the testimony
given in Admiral Schley's behalf. In
Guiding Lieut.. Sears denial of con-
versation concerning Admiral Schley.
which the lieutenant is alleged to have
taken part in on board the Massachu-
sets on May 81.
Other witnesses in addition to Mr.
Hare who testified today were Chief
Boatswain William l.. Hill, Gunner
f. T. Applegate and Maj. Paul st. Muir
ply Of the marines. all OF whom were
aboard the Brooklyn during the Cuban
campaign: Lieut.. Commander Harlow,
who, as executive officer Of the Vixen,
made notes OF the battle OF July and
three officers Of the oregon, Lieut.. A.
A. Alderman. Lieut. E. W. Eberle and
Lieut. r. G. Johnstone
Lient Alderman had charge OF the
after 13-inch turret and Lieut.. Eberle
OF the forward 13-inch turret OF the
Oregon on July g. and Lieut.. tombstone
was signal officer on the Oregon at
that time. Mr.. tombstone testified that
he did not receive any signal from the
Brooklyn 10 fire her 13-inch guns at
the Spanish ship Cristobal Colon. and
the Oregons officers who testified to-
day expressed the opinion that the Or
egon and the Brooklyn were practically
equally distant from the Colon when =
that vessel went ashore. Some Of them.
however, were inclined to think that
the Brooklyn was a shade nearer the
Spanish ship.
While BoatsWain Hin was giving his
testimony. which was very compliment
tary 10 Admiral Schley, there were two
outbursts Of applause. These were
promptly suppressed by Admiral Dew +
ey.