The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-02
FIVE ADMIRALS PRESENT
Schley Court of Inquiry is
 Making Progress.
Newspaper Correspondent Testifies as to Notes Made Concerning Loop of Brooklyn-Testimony
 of Evans Concluded.

Washington, Oct. 1.-The Schley court of inquiry made good headway again to- day, concluding with Admiral Evans and hearing three new witnesses, although the testimony of one of them was not concluded when the court adjourned for the day. Admiral Evans's testimony was along the same general lines as was his statement of yesterday. but some points were presented in greater detail in re- sponse to questions by MT. Raynor. The new witnesses were Captain Sigsbee, who commanded the scout St. Paul during the Santiago campaign; Mir. Thomas M. Diem aide, a newspaper correspondent who was on the Texas during the battle of July 8, and Chief Yeoman Gustav E. Becker, who was a clerk to Admiral Sampson during the war.
 Captain Sigsbee's testimony covered his communications to Commodore Schley upon the latter's arrival off Santiago, May 26, 1898, and at subsequent dates, and dealt with the state of the weather at that period. He was asked great number of questions by the court
 MT. Dienade described the loop of the Brooklyn as seen from the Texas. MT. Becker testified as to dispatches sent by Admiral Sampson to Commodore Schley.
 There were five admirals of the United States Navy congregated today wltnin the railing in the tanners shop Tn the navy yard when the court Of inquiry met. Admiral Dewey and his associates, Ad- mirals Benham and Ramsey, occupied their usual seats as members of the court, and Rear Admiral Schley his customary place at the table set apart for the "ap- plicant" in the witness stand.
 Rear Admiral Evans, who had been call ed yesterday. still occupied his position and continued to tell his story of the part taken by him as captain Of the iowa during the historic period of the Santiago campaign He had completed his testi- fnony In chief when the court ad5ourned yeSterday and had also been on the stand for some length by MT. Raynor for cross examination, but he was recalled for the purpose of allowing MT. Raynor to con- suit with Admiral Schley and prepare certain formal questions bearing upon certain special features of the campaign which the attorney had stated would re- ouire more than ordinary time and re- search in their preparation. These ques- tions were put to the Admiral in-their or der today and the response to them ma turally encited other inquiries.
 Interest III 0A6SbCo'
 The proceedings of the day began as usual with the calling or the roll or the former witnesses who had completed their testimony for the purpose Of mak- in1- such verbal corrections in 1t as they might desire The day was begun with inc intention of bringing to the witness stand Captain Sigsbee, who commanded the scout St. Paul during the war with Spain. There was unusual interest man Si0Qhan'R nTOnADIh nearance not so much on account of his participation in the war itself, but be- cause of his connection with the ill-fated Maine. whose destruction in the harbor of Havana had so important an influence tn causing the war.
 Captain Lemly also announced his in- tention of calling during the day Yeoman Becker. who occupied a clerical position on Admiral Sampsons flagship. the New York. during the war. He was summoned with view of throwing light upon some of the dispatches sent from that vessel.
 A considerable improvement was made In the court room today by the laying off of stretches of mating along the most freouently used paths of travel in that apartment. These walks had the efect of breaking the sound of footsteps and proved a material improvement in their quieting effect.
 General sympathy was expressed on the part of the members of the court and those in attendance with Judge Advocate LemIy. because of the death of his sister. which occurred yesterday Captain Lemly was present when the court convened but immediately withdrew.
 Captain Miller, who commanded the col lief Merrimac when she was sunk by Lieutenant Hobson, was called for the purpose of correcting the official record of his testimony given yesterday.
 Admiral Evans Recalled.
 Admiral Evans was then recalled. MT. Raynor began his interrogations by ask ing the witness concerning the secret code of signals for communicating with the Cuban insurgents near Cienfuegos.
 The Admiral said that when Captain Chadwick communicated this code to him he did not instruct him to give the Information to Commodore Schley.
 Me Raynor then questioned the witness, asnecially as to his interviews with Com- modore Schley after the battle of Sani- ago.
 Yesterday" said MT. Raynor, q was speaking of a conversation which I thought you had at Guantanamo on July 5. find have made mistake about 1t and it is necessary for me to repeat my question. I suppose you will answer in the same way"
 He then asked: 'Did you have a con- versation with Commodore Schlcy on July 4 sometimes during the morning, between s and 12 o'clock, on his flagship at San- tiago, in the course of which you used language as follows: Did you know that Jack Philip started to run away at the beginning of the battle,' and to which Commodore Schley replied: You are mis- taken about that, Mir. Evans saw nothing of the kind. The Brooklyn made the turn and you must see the tactical situation that made it necessary.
 'I do not remember being aboard Inc Brooklyn on the 4th of July. l think 1t was the 5th at Guantanamo. l am quite positive I was not on board the Brooklyn off Santiago but once and that was a long time before that. As to the conversation, I said nothing to the effect that Captain Philip had run away or at tempted to run away. On thinking over it last night what did occur with reference to the Texas was this: I think Com modore Schley and I discussed the posi- ton of the Texas when the fight began. The Texas was lying with her head to the aAat when the engagement began and she