Evening star., 1901-11-05
Begins His Argument in Behalf Of
Admiral Sehley.
IMPORTANCE OF THE Case SHOWN
The Applicant Desired a More Un-
restricted Inquiry.
MR.. HANNA CON UDES

also claimed that the loop was to meet
movement of the Spanish ships, but the
testimony had shown clearly that ne such
movement as had been described had been
accomplished by the Spanish fleet. In the
log Of the Brooklyn the movement was ex-
planned as having been made for the pur-
pose of swinging clear of the Texas and
bringing to bear the starboard battery. He
said this shows there was some uncar
tainty at the time of the entry in the log
TO how the matter should be entered.
With respect to the consequences incident
to the loop the testimony of Capt. VAIN
wright made one feature seem important.
This testimony, he said. showed that the
left of the American line was left open
temporarily by the loop, which might have
resulted in the escape of the Spanish ships.
He said there was a curious incident in the
matter of the testimony of Capt. Cook ard
Admiral Scbley, who had stated that the
Brooklyn was heading for the leading ships
of the enemy, and as soon as their vessels
were turned to the westward the order
was made to execute the loop. At the
same time. he said, it occurs from the teS-
timony that the Brooklyn was heading
nearly to the eastward when that order
was made He had never, he said, been
able to reconcile these two conflicting
statements.
There was but one specification that
mained to be discussed, he announced at
this point and that was the specification
regarding the Hodgson controversy. He
read the specification to the court and said
that he did not think It was necessary to
read the testimony on this question to
the court 1t seems that there is a diff
ference of memory he declared, regarding
the matter on the part of the various wit
nesses- Admiral Schley has no recollection
of certain portions of this converse ton,
and particularly the last portion.
Il have no comment to make" he de-
clared. with respect to that matter, ex-
cept that il appears to indicate a certain
degree of indifference or want of interest
at that time in the fate of another ship
of our squadron. But just what it's signifi-
canoe may bel in that connection is mat
ter for the court to decide and matter
which would take too much time for me to
discuss now.
Mr. Hanna said that the order Hard
aPort was given by Commodore Schley,
which fact was admitted by ali witnesses
The reply came that the helm was hard
aport-
1T was pretty clearly shown said Mr.
Hanna, that there was some danger of
collision between the Brooklyn and the
Texas
Reference was also made he said to
caution against going in closer on account
OF the danger of torpedo attack. and there
was testimony that the Brooklyn was in
danger of being rammed, or, at least there
was anxiety on board the Brooklyn on that
account He said that the dispute between
HodSson and the commodore was an af-
fIrmative statement one side, with a
negative statement as far as it went on the
other
But. he said there was another question
relating to this interview that had nothing
to do with the turn itself. 1t related to the
correspondence between the commodore and
Hodgson over the turn. He referred to Ine
correspondence saying 1t initiated by
Admiral Schley who wrote to Hodgson III
closing an editorial from the New York
Sun and asking him to write denial OF
the coHoquy. To this Mr.. Hodgson replied
Ihdt the interview print ed i'm the SIID
was substantially correct, and Mr.. Hanna
said he had uniformly maintained that at
tltude in respect to it. But Hodgson mad
stated that the dialogue given was not
correct. To this letter Admiral Schley re-
piled saying that 1t this dialogue that
should be denied and asking Hodgson to
write him a denial of the colloquy, and this
denial in brief form then written ~
Hodgson and was published by the ad-
miral.
After concluding his remarks on the
HodgsOn incident, which. he said was very
grave and one of the most important which
the court would have to consider Mr. Han
nd closed his argument by saying that it
had been said that his attitude in con-
ncCtion with the proceedings had been one
OF a serious and perhaps solemn partici-
pant.
i must say that l am obliged to admit
that this is a correct indictment. / have
regarded these proceedings very seriously
A.; officer of the navy, high in rank, has
asked court of inquiry into his acts.
mat court, granted by proper authority.
has patiently heard testimony of brother
officers who served under Admiral Sehley
ana has examined the logs of the vessels
under his command, and the dispatches and
reports from the squadron. This tesIi-
mony. which is very high in its character
presents questions of an exceedingly grave
nature for the consideration of the court,
and, therefore, have felt that it is really
serious occasion and that the proceed
irgs have been and are very grave
Mr. Hanna thanked the court for it's pa
.uent attention in listening to his argu-
.meR. and. turning to the counsel for Ad-
miral Schley. he thanked counsel also and
said he had considered ii an honor to be
associated with them, and that their rela-
tions had been exceedingly pleasant.
Capt. Parker Opens.
AT 2:30 % clock Mr.. Hanna sat down. and
the judge advocate announced that Capt.
Parker would now make his argument
Capt Parker took up his position behind
the table arranged for Admiral Schiey and
his counsel. and addressed the court with
his back to the audience. He began:
Mr.. President and gentlemen of the
court: 1 doubt il the naval history of the
world presents or ever has presented a case
OF the Importance and character as that
Tor which We have SO long been engaged.
/ doubt If a tribunal more exalted in the
character of the persons who compose il
has ever sat in Judgment on a brother Of
hcers act l doubt IL there was ever a
acter and standing and conduct that Ad-
miral Schley has always displayed
called upon before to ask an inyes-
ugation into his conduct as a victorious
commander Of fleet.
we have had occasions. many of them
where commanders OF a fleet have found
fault with the conduct of their subordi-
mates We have had occasions plenty of
them. where charges have been made and
suggested. We have had one occasion re-
ferred to here. In the testimony of Captain
McCalla: that of Commodore Perry, after
the battle of Lake Erie, but that was far
different from this.
But We have never before seen a case
Wherein the man who was victorious and
did his whole duty has been compelled to
answer for his conduct before tribunal of
MS brother officers: compelled. / say, not
by the department. or any charge for no
man has had the temerity, sir, 10 say over
Els own signature anything as to the con-
duct of Admiral Schley in the battle of
santiago. and in the conduct of the fiying
squadron So say the situation is excep-
tionai and without parallel In all naval
history ~ "
Captain Parker said he did not intend tn
30 into the testimony in the exhaustiye
manner in which Mr.. Hanna had done
The InQUiPy I.fO.ffod