New-York tribune., 1901-10-31

1T was one of the reasons for it. It was to avoid
that at crucial or critical time of the battle. when
the fire of the battleship absolutely impor
tant. The movement, of course. had two purposes
first, 10 avoid that and second, to continue the
ton, the New-York being entirely absent The
Brooklyn that day had to take very important
lead. and If We had sacrificed her might have
lost the battle"
What indication did you give to the other ves-
sells Of the fleet to show the direction in which the
Brooklyn was going TO turn turning"
Il did not make any. because ] did not think We
were in danger of proximity 10 any, but after we
turned signal was made TO follow the flag and
they followed It, OF course the direction they
should take was Indicated"
Asked where he had heretofore before the begin
hins OF the inquiry, mentioned that he had in the
battle given the signal Follow the flag" Admiral
Schey replied: 81 think 1 have kept my mouth
pretty close on all these subjects and recall
speaking of this incident. distinctly recoect
giving the signal and that it flying for twenty
minutes"
Did the Brooklyn stand in and attempt to sink
the Spanish feet in the channeIT'
Il started in at first help the other vessels
and 10 have them help I felt if could stop
the Spanards the battleships could go in and sink
them I never had any idea that they would get
away"
He estimated. that the Brooklyn had gone in 10
within mile TO a mile and a half of the mouth of
the harbor and was within range of the shore bat
teries He thought that for from twelve to four
teen minutes the flagship had been within range
or less than two thousand yards from the Spanish
ships. They looked very close he said.
When the Spanish ships succeeded in getting
out of the harbor without being sunk in accord
apce with orders, what alternative there but
10 chase them?"
There no alterna tive-no other course was
open; but much depended upon the character of the
chase. Whether it made in the proper way
and effective thing, while poorly
conducted and ineffective blockade would have
been another thing"
The Admiral said that while several of the yes
sells had failed 10 join in the chase leaving the
work after the sinking of the Teresa and the
Oquendo to the Brooklyn and the Oregon. this was
because they could not follow at the pace set by
the Spaniards
At this point Captain Lemly introduced the fol-
| lowing paragraph from Admiral Schley's report of
the battle dated at Guantanamo, July 6, 1898:
Since reaching this place and holding conyersa-
ton with several of the captains. viz, Captain
msnd Of u the e Colon 9onmander nam contreras have
learned that the Spanish admirars scheme was to
the Vizcaya to her. in hopes that If they could
destroy her the chance OF the escape Woua fta 3f M
ship of your squadron. This explains the heaSHg
earlier movements of the engagement, The exc
So E c Of ta h m 6 Tp G aBe a
vanced into close range and opened an rresistiby
ron as ii was coming out of the harbor.
Admiral Schley identified this paragraph as a
part of his report. He said that before the helm
of the Brooklyn swung hard aport in order
nately to port and to sterboaTd IN sbTns GrGer
whether they meant go between the Texas and
the Brooklyn; or the other way, {, ob,ot
believe. that on making the turn you did not see
me id @ s5 5l1G pbsoutev replied the witness
He never heard of the Texas incident until SIX SIX
Impression until later that the starboard engine
Of the Brooklyn was backed TO facae TnS tHPn an
tain Cook the enemy approached that they
as to the order which went below to. stand by to
RAM" In answer 10 question he said he sup
not certain His attention was called to letter
81 June Il b. Sc @ TbH Tbn aTa dT0m as s S9oted as
ing that the turn was made to avoid the daSe az
could not be produced at the time. he was not
questioned on #
His attention was next called 10 his letter 10
the Senate in which he said the turn was made TO
avoid banketing the fire OF his & own a. shps E hs1 ana
he had not turned port because TO do so would
to the enemy's vessels and exposed her to possible
torpedo attack or ramming .,.-. . . =.
three reasons why YOU made the turn Why did
you make that turn?'
CHIEF REASON FOR THE LOOP,
"As already have stated in my direct testi-
mony there is another very much more important
reason which you have not asked, and that was
that the ship might continue in the action and
beat the enemy as we did. That was the coa-
Have you stated that?" asked Captain Lemy.
10 which the Admiral replied:
Il never stated that. because / thought II was
evident never stated it. for three or four rea-
There several other reasons could
perhaps coniure up about it. have them in mind.
have stated in relation to the Senate document
here 'e haVe stated he a Or
least. what the movement was intended to accom-
plish."
Did you have each of these various reasons in
Probably all of them. and others"
The Judge Advocate then took up Admiral
ment dated Guantanamo Bay. July l. 1888 and he
was questioned concerning the statements made
that after the Vizcaya had sruck her coIors the
signal made to firing. and then the
following sentence:
"The oregon having proved vastly faster than
the other battleships, she and the Brooklyn. to-
gether with the Texas and another vessel. which
in pursuit of the Colon. which had run close
inshore evidently seeking some good spot to beach
You wrote that?' asked Captain Lemly.
REPORT RETURNED BY SAMPSON
Yes" replied Admiral schley. "and I can ex-
plain the whole thing II you will permit me to
introduce a preliminary report I made that was
returned"
This statement the part of the witness led to
some ewhat prolonged and times sharp controversy
between Captain Lemly and Mr.. Rayner. 1t soon
developed that the preliminary report referred
was one that Admiral Schley had prepared of the
events of July and had taken on board the flag
ship New-York and delivered 10 Admiral Sampson
after the battle which the comma -n-chief
had returned to him.
Captain Lemly-I have no objection TO your pre-
liminary report unless II comes under the rule
that II not sent.
Admiral Schley--It sent and was returned.
Captain Lemy-I think | have a right to CON
tnue and not have them insert other evidence
this time.
Mr. Rayner-I differ with you on that l think
that when a witness is asked a question
admiral Dewey-Ihe information contained in