Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-02

11uEbef Oh the sLdHus otHltS . NSN4sN'
crossrexamined Harder on bis statement
of the day before that no picket vessels
were stationed inside of the line Of
blockade, ut Cienfuegos, when the lying
squadron arrived Port officials report
was produced in which was stated that
the vessels acted as pickets. HARDER
said he would not contradict the report.
Harbcr testified that the Texas had
coaled at sea, near Dry Tortugas, ID
weather as rough as il was at Cienfue-
COS and Santiago, but admitted that reefs
at Tortugas break the sea.
The witness maintained that his state
ment to the eject that the fleet did nor
go clos 10 the shore, at Santiago, at
night. was correct, notwithstanding Hig-
ginson's statement to the contrary.
The first sensational incident of the IN
quiry occurred when Commander Harder
made a vigorous objection to the man
ner in which Attorney Rayner cross-ex-
amined him. Rayner. while asking
question. excitedly shook his finger at
the witness. Wherenpon, HARDER said
" considerable spirit, Don't you
Sd your finger at me-"
Capt G. b. Harder said the blockade
was maintained by the vessels steaming
in column back aud forth in front of the
mouth OF the harbor at distance OF from
seven to ten miles ont. He said he had
seen the Brooklyn immediately after 1t
had executed the loop. when it was on
the port bow Of the Texas, about 500
feet distant The Texas was not then
moving at her full speed because the Ore
gon was passing her II the Texas at
Tat time backed or stopped he was not
aware of the circumstances.
Third bay.
Counsel for Sehley practically outlined
some Of the things they expected to prove
to justify the course of their client One
thing that they said they wanted to prove
was that Sampson was not in the battle
at Santiago, and that the responsibility
Of lighting it was thrust upon Schley.
According to their representations to
the court they intend also to show that
IL SIMPSONS blockade was good, then so
was Schey's. for the reason that they
were OF the same character and general
arrangement, and, more important than
that. they promised to bring out that if
Sehiey was eensurable for failing to de-
stroy the Colon Sampson was equally
guilty, because for four hours after the
arrival Of Sampson at Santiago the Colon
lay in the same position at the mouth of
the harbor that she was in during the
three days that Schey saw her, aud
sampson made no effort to attack her.
Admiral Schley's counsel said that they
proposed to show. also, that what Sehley
did was done under SIMPSONS orders,
that Sehiey's withdrawal from the re-
eonnoissance, as it was termed by him,
against the Colon and to develop the
shore batteries, was performed under gem
eral naval regulations, aud was the same
policy that had been pursued by Samp
sou. and that If the Brooklyn was not in
a proper position when Cervera's squad
ron ran out On July she was at the
station assigned to her By Sampson.
The part played by the battleship Tex
as In the naval battle off santiago was
the basis Of a great part of to-day's pro-
ceedings.
Lieutenant Commander Heilner. who
was navigating officer OF the Texas
throughout the Santiago campaign testi-
fed thar the Texas was in its greatest
danger at the moment those on board
her saw the Brooklyn looming UP unex-
peetedly at a distance Of only 100 or $50
yards on the port side. CONSERVATION
reigned for a moment on board the Tex.
as il the presence Of this danger Of be-
ing rammed by a vessel Of her own deeta
Commander Heiuer gave graphic acc
count OF this critical moment IN the his
tory Of the battle, and produced a decided
sensation IN the court room by declaring
that as soon as the danger from the
Brooklyn was recognized by Captain
Philip he gave the order To have the en-
gines of the Texas stopped and TO turn
backward. The witness said that about
three minutes Of time was let's By this
effort 70 escape collision with the Brook
lyn. With this loss Of time aud a FUR
Their loss on account OF the dtlicalty en-
countered in getting up full steam mme-
'diately he estimated that the Texas was
put back about three miles In her chase
Of the Colon and other Spanish ships.
Commander Heilner swore thar, while
it was true the stopping and backing Of
the engines Of the Texas was not record.
ed in the log OF that ship, the omission
was due TO the definite orders Of Captain
Philip, now dead, because Captain Philip
lid not wish to bring any scandal upon
brother officer.
cath Interrupts Trial.
For the second time death interrupted
the progI ess of the naval court OF in
curry into Rear Admiral Schey's con
duct Mt the battle Of Santiago. Tuesdays
morning session had just begun when
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