The age-herald., 1901-11-05
HANNA BEGINS
 ARGUMENT IN
 SCHLEYCOURT Seeks to Show That the Ad- HiTal OlsObeyed War De-
 partments Orders RAINIER "CALLS DOWN. LEMLY Says It Is Highly Objectionable to Say That Only One Government Wit ness Has Been Contradicted.
 1t Is Jot a Fact.
RAINIER "CALLS DOWN. LEMLY

Washington, November 1.-The Schley court of inquiry reached the argument stage at the beginning of the afternoon session today. The morning session was devoted to. listening to Admiral Schley and Captain Sgsbee in making corrections in their testimony, which had been given previously and the introduction by Judge Advocate Eemly of numerous documents bearing upon different phases of the con- troversy. Admiral Schley did not make any material additions to his previous statements but devoted himself largely in his evidence.
 An effort was made to introduce two new witnesses, who were expected to give testimony in Admiral Schley's be- half concerning the controversy as to what information Captain Sigsbee com municated to Admiral Schley when he ar rived off Santiago in May, 1898. One of these witnesses was Frank B. Richards and the other George Lynch, both of New York, and both newspaper corre- spondents. who were on duty in Cuba and in Cuban waters during the war with
 Spain. MT. Lynch was on the press
 boat Somers N. Smith, and MT. Rich ards on the Premier. They were to have
 testified concerning the meeting of these
 vessels with the St. Paul of which Cap tain Sigsbee was in command The court
 however decided not to hear them.
 The opening speech of the argument in the case was made jnsbehalf of the gov
 ernment by F. H. Hanna, assistant to
 the judge advocate. He began his pre-
 sentation of the case a few minutes after
 the court convened at o'clock, and when
 court adjourned, two hours later. he had
 not covered more than half of the ground
 involved in the controversy
 Captain Sigsbee First Witness.
 The first witness to take the stand to- day was Captain Sigsbee, formerly of the St. Paul. who was recalled for the pur- pose of reviewing his former testimony. Admiral Schley was also called for this purpose, and his statement occupied a good portion of the time of the court. His testimony in chief occupied five days, and as many of his statements were made off-hand. there were innumerable changes to be made, as well as some ad- dltions.
 During the day Captain Lemly submit ted for the consideration of the court a large mass of documentary evidence
 There has been no change of the pro- gramme arranged on Friday for the pre- sentation of argument by counsel MT. Hanna will lead off for the government.
 He will talk for about three hours, and will be followed by Captain Parker on behalf of Admiral Schley. It is expected these two speeches will occupy most Of the courts time tomorrow, and 1t Is now
 believed that MT. Rayner, for Admiral Schley, and Captain Lemly, for the gov
 ernment, will conclude the presentation
 of the case to the court on Wednesday and probably part of Thursday. While Captain Sigsbee was on the stand MT Rayner asked him if he had mega phoned or otherwise communicated to the press boat Premier while off Santi- ago the fact that the Spanish fleet was not in Santiago. The witness replied that he had not done so. although he would have been justified in saying so if he had thought it proper under the circum- stances of war.
 SchIey Corrects Testimony. Admiral Schley then took the stand The admiral was suffering from cold and his voice was quite hoarse. He be- gan his corrections at the very first of his testimony Most of these corrections were of typographical errors or the changing of words to make sentences read more smoothly. Referring to the order from Admiral Sampson, dated Key West, May 19, instructing the commander of the Flying Squadron to establish 6 blockade of Cienfuegos with the least possible delay. the witness read sen tence from 1t as follows
 After I have the situation more ir hand. will write you to give you any more information as suggests itself.' "The word more should be omitted. II said Admiral Schley. "and the sentence read as follows: After I have the situa- ton more in hand I will write you and give you any information that suggests itself
 Admiral Schley also corrected his state ment regarding his visit to the flagship New York. when he had made his pre- liminary report of the battle of July 3 to Admiral Sampson. The record, he said, did not make the matter quite clear. "The admiral said to me- continued the wit ness, that I had omitted very impor- tant detail, which was to state that the New York was present"
 The witness corrected but one of his answers to the question of the court This question was to the effect that when he was ordered to go to Cienfuegos to establish a blockade was 1t not his duty under the circum stances to communicate directly either by signal or otherwise with the senior officer of the vessels re- turning from Cienfuegos and obtain from him all information regarding the situa. ton at or near that port.
 The answer. as corrected reads: "Tht communication which he made to me through the Earle indicated that Canfa iy McCalla knew I was bound for Cienfue gos. and l, of course, took it for granted if he had anything important he would
 have notified me of tho fact without any inquiry"
 SchIey cross-Exsynined. At this point Admiral Schley an- nounced that he had no more correction.
 to make. Captain Parker called the ad
 mirars attention to the evi' lence of Cap (Continued on paxal6l