The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1901-10-31

Takes Witness Stand IN His Own
Behalf
IN COURT INVESTIGATING ms CONDUCT


At Santiago o-Grsat Crowds Present whea He
Reviewed ne MenorabIe Battle
es Santiago.
Washington, Oct. N.--Admiral Schley
took the stand today in his own behalf,
in the court Of inquiry, which is investi-
eating his conduct rs commander-in-chief
OF the flying squadron during the Santi-
ago campaign. He was summoned few
minutes after the court convened at 2
O'Clock, for the afternoon session, and
when the court adjourned at O. o'clock,
ne apparently had only gotten we'll under
way in his testimony. Capt. Charles E.
Clarke, of the Oregon, had just concluded
his statement when Mr.. Raynor, rising
from his seat said:
II should like to have Rear Admiral
Schley called"
The admiral accordingly was asked to
take the stand. 1t was turn in the pro-
ceedings for which apparently neither
the members of the court, its officers,
nor the spectators we're prepared, and q
murmur OF surprise was heard on all
sides.
1t had been expected that the witness
name would be reached Toward the close
of the afternoon session. There were still
two witnesses on the list which had not
been heard, and it was understood to be
his purpose not to take the stand until
the entire list had been exhausted. He,
however, responded to the call and be-
fore the audience was we'll aware of the
fact he had begun his narrative OF the
campaign which terminated in the de-
structiOn of Cervera's feet. Mr.. Raynor
introduced the testimony of his distin-
guished witness by saying: "Will you
give the court your name and rank?"
Winfield Scott Schley, retired, at
present on service in this court of in
quiry."
The admiral then in answer to q uues-
ton from his counsel proceeded to give q
events of the campaign up to the battle
of Santiago. He had not reached the
stage of his testimony where he viii tell
of the battle when the court adjourned
for she day.
There was no appearance of demon
stration of any kind during the admirals
recital. On the contrary the silence was
almost unbroken except for the sound of
the witness own voice. Only once was
there stir in the room which indicated
any feeling on the part of the listeners.
That was when the admiral, detailing his
conversation with Admiral Sampson iii
the cabin of the New York at Key West,
told him he had assured the commander
in-chief of fealty to him.
Washington, D. c., Oct. 25.-When the
Schley court of inquiry adjourned today,
Admiral Schley had not completed his
testimony. He took the stand about
IL 80 O'Clock, after former witnesses had
been recalled for the purpose of making
corrections in and additions to their
testimony, and continued his statement
until the court adjourned at $3.50 p. m.
This adjournment twenty minutes in
advance of the usual time was due to the
fact that the admiral's throat had be-
come somewhat sensitive as result of
his continuous talking yesterday and to-
day.. He had made complaint to the
court of the condition of his throat inn
mediately after concluding his recital of
the story of the battle of Santiago, and
Admiral Dewey, who evidently himself
had noticed the difficulty, responded by
showing willingness to adjourn the
court.
Mr.. Raynor, however, expressed q
desire to proceed, saying that he bad q
number Of questions which he wished to
ask, and Admiral Schley himself assented
to his counsel's suggestion. A quarter
of an hour later Admiral Dewey himself
renewed the suggestion for an adjourn
ment, and all concerned agreeing to the
proposition, the court adjourned until
Monday at IL O'Clock.
The day was notable one in the court.
By large odds the largest crowd that has
vet attended any of the sessions was
present and deep interest was manifested
throughout the proceedings. Long be-
fore the beginning of the morning ses-
sion. all the seats reserved for visitors in
the court room were occupied and the
greater portion of the space in the rear
Of these seats was covered by men and
women standing. They not only stood
on the floor, but upon window sills and
tables, and even the rude elevator ma
chinery in that portion OF the hall was
covered by men. On only one occasion
was there any effort at applause, and this
was suppressed before it had reached any
magnitude.
The chief event Of the day was the ad-
miral's relation of the events OF July 8,
when the American feet sent Corvera's
SQUADRON to the bottom of the sea or to
the beach. He told the story Of this his
torical occurrence in plain words and in
unaffected style, but the.narrative was
etraiehtforward and to the point, indi-
scatine close familiarity with all the
phases Of that event. He said that the
Brooklyn had for time sustained the
are 81 I'll four Spanish ships and also the
Are Of the Spanish land batteries. Ex-
nlaininv tho historical turn of his own
ilaeehip. the Brooklyn, he said that she
had not approached to within less than
000 wards 81 the Texas and that he never
M considered his vessel in the least
daneeF. He also stated. in response to
- Incarceration from Mr.. Rsynor, that
- lad never, during the battle, engaged
n anv colloquy with Lieut. Hodgs0n and
NO. ke had not used the expression at-
ributed TO him BY Hodgson. This refers
to the alleged colIoquy in which the ad-
miral ischsreed with having said, Damn
the Texas.
4dmirai schley also gave the details
of the reconnaissance Of May 81, when
The Spanish ship Cristobal Colon was
|h0mberded. In this connection he de-
r;od fl,a akafem0nts attributed TO him