The age-herald., 1901-10-18
Three Spanish Vessels All Fir- ing at the Flagship
 Cheered the Men
ASSIGNED 10 "ACTIVE DUTY"
Action Taken by Department to Pre-. vent Any Question as to Effect of Admiral's Retirement on
 Action of Court.

Washington, Oct i--The presentation versy was continued before the Schley court of inquiry today. eight witnesses being examined. Of these five were en- signs, and the entire eight had served on board the Brooklyn with Admiral (then Commodore) Schley.
 Todays witnesses were Lieut.. Charles Webster, Lieut. Commander T. D. Grif- fin, who had charge of the powder divis- ion on the Brooklyn during the fight off igan, Jr., U. s. Mayer, James M Hand and Ralph N. Marble. The last witness of the day was Medical Director Paul Fitzsimmons. who was chief surgeon of the flying squadron.
 While Ensign Haligan was on the stand Mir Rayner sought to bring out informa- tion as to the American ships in sight at the beginning of the battle of July 8, but Judge Advocate Lemly objected on the ground that the question was intended to show the absence of the New York, and the interrogatory was withdrawn. En- sign Marble stated that he had heard Captain Sigsbee tell Commodore schley when he came aboard the Brooklyn on May 26 that the Spaniards were not at Santiago.
 There has been some inquiry as to Ad- miral Schley's standing in the navy since he was placed on the retired list because of age, but all question on this point has been settled by the department hay ing assigned the admiral to active duty' at the court of inquiry while it is in pro- gress. This action was taken to prevent any question as to the effect of ' admi- rars retirement on the action of the court.
 The first of yesterdays witnesses called for correction of testimony was Com mander Mason, and after him came in succession Lieutenant Commander Sears, Lieutenant McCauley and Lieutenant Webster. Quite number of additional questions were addressed to Lieutenant Webster by MT. Hanna. Replying, the witness said that he had seen signal lights at night on the shore while lying on Santiago. In connection with the question of the distance off shore at San- tiago. MT. Hanna asked:
 While the vessels were on blockade at Santiago from May 29 to the 31, inclusive, were you able during the night to dis tinguish points on shore readily while you were on watch?"
 The witness replied in the negative.
 Could you make out Aguidores and Cabanas?"
 T was not familiar with the coast at that time, and would not have known those points under any circumst tances, but It was so dark 1 do not think I could have seen them.''
 What was the back ground?"
 'The high hills back of Santiago did give us good points later when we were familiar with them We Id see them quite readily
 Could you discover the shore line at night?'
 Not the line of breakers. if there were any"
 Could you see the vessels on the inner picket line at night?"
 Not without the aid of searchlights.,'
 On redirect examination, Mir. Rayner asked Webster concerning the bearing of the Iowa and Texas on the morning of July 8, the beginning of the battle. The witness said that they bore abaft the starboard beam of the Brooklyn the Texas being to the right of the Iowa. The Brooklyn was headed, he said, north or northwest.
 In reply to another question by Mir, Rayner, he stated that after the surren- der of the Colon July 3, he had gone to the forecastle to look for other ships. I1c HdQ Oliy SccH L4~e OEtBOn anu the Texas. The smoke of other vessels was visible, but not the vessels themselves.
 Sea Heavy and thoppy.
 When Lieutenant Webster was excused Lieutenant Commander Griffin was called. He gave details of the Cien- fuegos campaign saying that the dis tance of the blockading line there varied from three to seven miles. being farther out at night
 Speaking of the voyage from Cienfuegos to Santiago, the witness said the weather was heavy, and that there was "short, choppy sea- He also said that the heavy sea had impeded the fleet by delaying the smaller vessels. especially the Eagle.
 Asked by Mir. Rayner concerning a conversation between Commodore Schley and the commander of the Eagle the wit ness said: "I was presenS when the con- versation took place, although I cannot give the exact words. When the Eagle came up astern of the Brooklyn the com modore hailed the commanding officer of that vessel and told him. in substance. that he could not delay the squadron any longer on his account, and that he wanted him to proceed to Jamaica for coal. The commanding officer of the Eagle seemed very desirous of remaining with the squadron and expressed sincere regret at being obliged to part company with the flying squadron.
 What kind of weather was the Eagle making on May 20 wIicn that converse ton took placer"
 "As I expressed it. heavy weather. short. choppy sea, and the Eagle and Vixen were both pitching considerably"
 Did you hear the commanding officer of the Eagle talk to the Commodore about coal on that occasion7'
 T did; but I do not remember that he asked permission to coal. It would not have been possible. at least 1t would not have been safe"
 Would Stay on Watch.
 ''He said that his answer was in each case that he preferred to remain on the station until the Spanish ships came out of the harbor."
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