The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-07


more than to exercise the discretion
allowed to a commander-in-ch un-
der such circumstances.
Mr.. Rayner then came to specifica-
tion No. relating to the alleged with
drawal of the Flying Squadron from
off Santiago at night. The evidence
had shown that there was nothing in
that charge.
After the recess Mr.. Rayner discuss
ed the ninth specification, which dealt
with the loop of the Brooklyn on July
3 and possibility of colltding with the
Texas. He stood upon the testimony of
Capt. Cook, who, all things together,
he said, had the best opportunity to
give all the information about the loop.
What might have happened had the
Brooklyn turned to port was purely a
matter of conjecture. The turn in the
other direction was completely sue
cessful. 1t was intimated that the turn
to the southward had been to get away
from the enemy, yet it was an indis-
putable fact that the turn had brought
the Brooklyn closer to the Spanish
fleet and she received thirty of the
forty-thr shots which struck the
American ships. Capt. Cooks testimony
illumined this maneuver and he plant
ed himself upon this testimony.
Mr.. Rayner then discussed the tes-
timony of Heilner and Hodgson and in
this connection rdiculed the chart pre-
pared by the navigators of the ships
in the battle.
Chart n Magnificent Failure.
THAT navigators' chart" he said,
'is thing of joy forever. 1t is like
the obliterated epitaph upon an anti
quated tombstone. Six naVigators5 met
and after three months of unremitting
labor they resolved to give the world
a chart of the battle of Santiago, which
for all purposes of historical accuracy,
might as well be chart of the battle
of Thermopylae or the field of Water
loo. AS a disastrous failure, the chart
is magnificent success"
In his evidence, said Mr.. Rayner.
Lieut.. Commander Heilner said the
Brooklyn passed across the bows of
the Texas less than $50 yards away.
which. on the chart which he helped
prepare the distance between the two
ships is given as 2,400 feet. Whather
the engines of the Texas were stopped
or backed mattered little. This whole
controversy about the loop seemed to
have been started to prove that the
Brooklyn ran away. When this failed,
an attempt was made to drag in the
alleged danger of the Texas. The tes-
timony of Capt Cook exploded both.
Mr.. Rayner then took up specifica-
ton ten. concerning the alleged Hodg
son controversy. He said he would
not undertake the task of extricating
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson from
his predicament. He read portions of
Commander Hodgson's testimony and
again fell back upon Capt. Cooks tes-
timony as decisive of the point at is
sue. Capt. Cook had said that the
danger of collision had never entered
his head.
No one had intended to attack Lieu
tenant Commander Hodgson, but the
entire controversy was Hodgson's own
fault. Imagine such a conversation
between the commanding officer of a
great feet and subordinate officer
| at such a time!" Even if Commodore
Schley had said Dam the Texasl' con-
tinued Mr.. Rayner, it would not have
been such a. very serious matter as it
could not have been meant seriously.
Down in Anne Arundel county, Mary
land, they use such language in saluta-
ton, saying: Dam you, how are you
this morning?"
"Mr. Potts and Mr.. Wood"
Mr.. Rayner then returned and took
up the first ecification-Admira
Schley's conduct during the campaign.
Now we come to Mr. Wood and
Mr.. Potts he began. "Mr. Potts and
Mr.. Wood; Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Potts"
(Ldugnter IN the cOurt.)
After reading the testimony of sew
eral officers as to the splendid bearing
of Admiral Schley, Mr.. Reyner read
the testimony of Mr.. Potts to the effect
that the Admiral appeared nervous
that he got up and sat down"
Lieut.. Potts" Mr.. Rayner said, has
covered himself with renown. His
name will echo through the ages of un-
dying fame. When Manila shall be for
gotten and Santiago will be buried in
oblivion, the name of Potts shall live.
Whenever an admiral or a commodore
or a captain is engaged in the carnage
of mortal conflict, beware of Potts. Be-
ware of your looks! Be careful how
you walk! Be careful how you sit
down. Be. reserved and reticent in
your speech Model your entire course
and conduct of action according to
Potts, that precious child of the kind
ergarten, who confesses that he was al
ways scared when he was in battle,
but who, unfortunately, was never en-
gagged in any battle sufficient enough
to arouse his timidity."
At this point Capt. Lemly protested
and his protest led to dramatic
scene in the courtroom.
"Mr. President" said Capt. Lemly.
Lieutenant Commander Potts has
never said that he was always scared
have occurred in which counsel has alb
solutely misstated the evidence and l
think he should be compelled to abide
absolutely by the facts, particularly
when he is attempting to traduce the
reputation of an officer. He has no
right to speak in this manner of an Of
ficer who is above such assault"
Mr.. Rayner: "And you have no right
to traduce the reputation of Admiral
Schley!"
Capt. LemIy Protests.
Capt. Lemly: Counsel gets up and
says that we are, in the discharge of
a most painful duty, trying to traduce
Admiral Schley."
Mr.. Rayner: II have borne willing
testimony to the impartiality with
which he has tried his case, and the
delicate position he occupies. But I
do ask my brother not to get up and
contradict me. and say that / am un-
reliable when / read the testimony that
sustains me-
Admiral Dewey: THE court of course
will read all the testimony that has
. been given. We will be governed by
the testimony. We know exactly what
Lieutenant Commander Potts said. He
said he was scared, but counsel did
enlarge a little on it,"
Mr.. Rayner: Yes. I probably did
enlarge"
Capt Lemly: And that said. I am
sorry ] made the remark"
Admiral Dewey: 1T is only one dav
more and think we ought 10 get along
peacefully"
Mr.. Rayner then took up the nth
nfrHf aIT