New-York tribune., 1901-09-28

Massachusetts. the Texas and the Brooklyn
wanted so many tons of coal, and that the day
before Admiral Sampson had sent him down the
Iowa with only half her coal supply, SO that
she could not go anywhere; that 1t was useless
to send ships down there only half filled with
coal
II told Commodore Schley that had passed
collier conveyed by a gunboat only little before
daylight that morning, and 1t would certainly be
there with at least four or five thousand tons OF
coal within two three hours. He referred
again to his belief of the Spanards being In
Cienfuesos. and stated that he had heard some
firing about forty miles from port, which he
took to be welcome to the Spanish squadron:
he had also some smoke, which he con-
cejved to be from the Spanish squadron. and he
believed they there.
Il said to Commodore Schley then that the
information which the admiral had he consid-
cred as definite; he had no doubt that the
spanish squadron was at Santiago.
Commodore Schley then said to me: Captain
Sampson does not understand. He is not on
the spot. ard cannot judge
Il also informed Commodore Schey that they
certainly expected the squadron TO leave imme-
diately, and that l had verbal orders from the
commander-in-chfef which did not appear in my
written orders, to remain with the Hawk alone
at Cienfuegos after the squadron had left and
conduct blockade for a day or two, or as long
as my coal supply lasted
sCHLEY's GREAT PERPLEXITY.
Describe the Commodore's manner upon this
occasion - said Captain Lemly.
THE Commodore sitting in his chair all
the time 1 talking to him, very quietly. He
seemed to be very much perplexed at what
to do
do you remember whether there any
thing said about communication with the in
surgents?"
There was something said by me-
In the CommodOre's pI eSence?'
NO, chief of staff deck. The Commodore
was in the cabin"
Can you state whether or not during the time
you were In Cenfuecos with the Hawk any
r9,:,IV a ~ fp
gent CubanS.
There was not"
The witness then testified that the steamer
Adua in passing had reported to the Brooklyn
that cable report had been received at King
ston on May 10 saying rhs, the Spanish squad
ron in the harbOr at Santiago Rear Admi-
raj Schley's report of this occurrence was also
read, WSs his statement disCreditinG the in
formation because he then believed the squad
ron to be In Cienfuegos Harbor All these re-
ports have heretofore been published.
Mr.. Rayner began his cross-examination
few minutes before | o'clock, and the witness
said his recollection was that he had delivered
his dispatches 20 Commodore Schley in his
(Schley'Sl cabin. but 1t might be that he had
handed them to Lieutenant Welles, and had
walked down to the cabin with him. He thought
there was no one in the cabin when the conver
saton between himself and the Commodore had
taken place.
SCHLEY PROMPTS HIS COUNSEL
Mr. Rayner was proceeding question the
witness concerning his conversation with Rear
Admiral Sampson. when Rear Admiral Schey
leaned over and warned him that this converse
ton had been ruled out. Mr. Rayner then
changed his line of questioning. He said: II
want to ask you whether in this conversation
with Commodore Schley upon this occasion he
did not tell you that Admiral Sampson had in
structed him before ne left for Santiago to
satisfy himself that the Spanish fleet was not
at CienfuegoS.
The reply was: II gathered from his con-
versation that he had information in some of
the dispatches which were written previously
to the dispatch l carried him, which was OF
considerably later date and therefore. OF course
annuled all the others.
But this dispatch you carried gave him that
discretion" ?"
That not the latest dispatch whose con-
tents l knew"
Mr.. Rayner questioned the witness concern
ing the report OF the presence of the Spanish
fleet al Santiago and attempted TO read a quo
been written by Rear Admiral Sampson to sus-
tain his point that the Adula had reported that
the fleet remained at Santiago only one DAY
Mr.. Hanna objected to the introductiou of the
article testimony. He said among other
things
II have written magazine articles myself for
prominent gentlemen whose names were signed
to them" He said. however. that he did not
doubt that the article was Rear Admiral Samp-
sons. The question was ultimately Withdrawn
for the time being.
Captain Lemly then asked: Wasn't 1t your
understanding that the Adula in the communi-
cation with the Brooklyn. led the officers or
the Brooklyn to believe that the Spanish Meet
had arrived in Santiago one day. and had come
out Of the harbor the next day? Wasn't that
the impression II left your mnd?"
The reply THE impression made on my
mind was no impression whatever. 1t Is my
recollection that at that date | knew the fleet
in Santiago"
Captain Lernlv questioned Mr. Hood concern
ing the diSDatc ckeS delivered by him to Rear
Admiral Schley. eliciting from him statement
that. while lac carried two dispatches TO the
Rear Admiral from the Comma nder-ir-C Chief. he
knew that the information contained In one or
them was later than that in the other, because
the one was dated at Havana and the other at
Key West The Havana dispatch had contained
more positive instructions about proceeding TO
Santiago.
MCALLA TELLS OF SECRET CODE
Lieutenant Hood then excused. and Cap
tain Bowman Fl. MCalla. who commanded the
Marblehead during the Spanish war. was called.
The witness said he had first come into contact
with the Flying Squadron on May ~ 1898.
When he proceeding from the south coast
of Cuba TO Key West he met the squadron on its
way to Cuba He had not been asked to come
aboard the Brooklyn for the purpose of making
a report on conditions in Cuba. but had made
a full report to Captain Chadwick. Admiral
SIMPSONS chief OF staff. when he arrived at
Key West On this point he said:
I'm addition to written reports or dispatches
which carried. explained to the chief OF stan
the secret code which 1 had established with
the Cubans near Cienfuegos That was not done
until heard that Commodore Schley was pro-
ceeding to Cienfuegos.
Q-What was that secret code: briefly? A ON
munication with three Cuban officers and two pr-
Yates on the Marblehead and l had arranged with
a system of signals in case they wished to % com
municate with the Marblehead or my torce, Ihere
were to be three horizontal lights at night and
three horses in line on the beach by day
O-To whom according to the best OF your rec
alI.ct n