The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-06
CAPT, PARKER OPENS
ARGUMENT FOR
SCHLEY
Defends Him at All Stages OF
Campaign so Far as
He Went.
"WAS NO REAL DELAY
Mr.. Hanna Concluded, Declaring Hero
of Santiago Disobeyed Man
datory Order.
APPROACH THE VERGE or REPRO0fp
There is no Accuser Here, Said Capt. Par
ker, Nobody is on Trial, Scaley Not
Infomei Spanish Fleet Had
lsit Curacao.
Lsft Curacao.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, D. c.. Nov. 5.-The time
of the Schiey Court of Inquiry was en-
tirely devoted to-day to hearing argu-
ment in the case of Admiral Sehley. Mr.
Hanna finished his argument in behalf of
the Department. which had been begun
yesterday and Capt Jos. Parker began,
but did not conclude his presentation of
the case for Admiral Schley.
Mr. Hanna to-day considered the retro
grade movement, the bombardment of the
Colon and the charge made against Ad-
miral Schley of disobedience of orders.
Captain Parker had only reached the
eoaling question when the court adjourn
ed. He defended the conduct of his
client at all stages of the campaign so
far as he went.
1t is expected that Captain Parker will
conclude his speech tomorrow when Mr..
Rayner will begin.
Admiral Schley reached the court room
al an early hour and his friends were
gratificd to find that the severe cold with
which he suffered yesterday had greatly
improved.
Mr.. Hanna continued his discussion Of
the retrograde movement, saying that
but one explanation had been giveen for
il in Admiral Schley's testimony, namely,
the inadequacy of the coal supply. There
is he said, mo suggestion of any other
reason of the dispatch"
Mr.. Hanna then took up specification
5 OF the precept relating to the disobed-
fence of Commodore Schley of the orders
Of the DcDar ment contained in its dis
patch dated Nav %. 1898
Mr.. Hanna took issue with Admiral
Schley that this was a suggestion and not
a mandatory order. so far from being
suggestive, doubtful or uncertain, are the
terms of this order that they approach
the verge of reproof," said Mr.. Hanna.
Their incisive distnctness is notable,
so much so that l think few subordinate
task TO which they had been assigned,
would care to be arrested in such act
by a telegraphic order from a superior
couched in such terms" Mr.. Hanna
quoted Admiral schley's dispatch of May
27, in which he expressed regret over not
being able to obey orders, saying that
as ii was written after the Cotton tele-
gram had been received it was an ex-
plicit confession that the Cotton tele-
gram was an order. Commenting upon
this dispatch he declared that it was
"the most remarkable one to be found
in the annals of the American Navy"
Quoting the expression from the same
dispatch at is to be regretted that the
Department order cannot be obeyed, ,"
Mr.. Hanna remarked:
Most undoubtedly! 1t was a critical,
and the action of Commodore Schley in
abandoning his station before Santiago,
thus, as he himself states, failing to
obey the Department orders, created
grave anxieties in our National councils"
Mr.. Hanna discussed al length the coal
supply, maintaining that it was ample
Specification was mex. considered
This requires an inquiry as to whether
every proper effort was made to capture
the Colon as that vessel lay in the har-
Dor at Santiago. Mr.. Hanna said:
IF the fire of May 81 was intended to
destroy the Colon it was a total failure
If it was intended as a reconnaissance it
was an eminent success and clearly
demonstrated that if all the ships avail
able had been taken into action the bat
teries could probably have been very
Spctuily SilSuCtu. Anu luG COlOH nOOTcQ
stem and stern, broadside to the entrance.
in a narrow channel could have been de-
stroyed without damage to any of the
vessels of the American feet, and further
that second vessel of the Viscaya class
would probably have met like fate"
Referring to the eighth specification,
Mr.. Hanna said il did not appear that
the Flying Squadron was withdrawn from
Santiago harbor to a distance at sea-
Mr.. Hanna said that beyond the Brook
lyn's turn the battle of Santiago was not
involved in the inquiry. Mr.. Hanna said
beyond peradventure the progress of the
Texas was seriously interfered with
Thus, he argued, a battleship not only
was imperiled, but delayed by the danger
of collision at this critical time The
loop of the Brooklyn was, he concluded,
the only movement of that day that had
called for any explanation.
Mr. Hanna also discussed the reported
colloquy between Commodore Schley and
Lieutenant Hodgson, which forms the
tenth count 0 fthe precept in which schley