The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-07
RAYNER KNOCKS OVER
THEIR HOUSE Of
CARDS
The Charges Against SchIey
ShriveI in the Fire of
His Logic.
THE CHART RIDICULED
Might as Well Have Reen a Chart Of
the Pattle Of Thermopylae,
Says Rayner.
AND HE HAULs POTTS OVER THE GOALS
A Dramatic Scene in the Court Room. The Loop
Of The Brooklyn ll|umined. Schley
HeIdat cienfuegos by Samp-
sons Orders.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., November g.
Captain Parker spoke for twenty-five
minutes al the opening of court, con-
Guiding with a glowing tribute to Ad-
miral Schls.. and Mr. Rayner began his
argument with complimentary allus-
ion to Judge Advocate Lemly and Mr.
Hanna
Mr. Rayner made plea for the con-
sideration If questions from what was
at that time Commodore Schley's point
OF view. Let u.s. he said. put our
selves in his place and see what the cir
cumstances were 1--WE all know what it
would have been wise 70 do
Discussing dispatch No. Z. known as
the Dear Schley Letter." Mr.. Rayner
contended t.:at the order conveyed in
that message mace it incumbent upon
Commodore Sch,ey to remain at Glen
fuegos. He declared that this was the
key to the whole came, and that it did
not admit OF any other construction that
Commodore Scbley would remain at
Cienfae~os.
Order No. 8, upon which the counsel
on the other side had laid so much
stress. he said, Gid not permit Commo-
doce Schley to leave until satisfied that
the Spaniards We're not in Cienfuegos
That dispatch reached Commodore
Schley on the day the Adula was Sent
ina fact which MIR. Rayner said he re-
garded as one of the most important
on the campaign. When the Adula did
not come out the next day as her skip
per had agreed to do. Admiral Schley
was still further confirmed in the belief
that Cervera was in Cienfuegos.
Mr. Rayner devoted attention to mes
sages said to have been carried by the
Eagle and by Lieutenant Hood to Ad-
mirai Schley concerning the Spanish
feet. Without impugning any officer of
the American fleet, Mr. Rayner declared
that Admira lScnley was the victim of
an unfortunate combination of circum-
stances that left him in total darkness
sto the location of the Spanish fleet
Concerning the question of coaling at
sea, Mr.. Rayner read the testimony of
several witnesses TO prove the great diff
ficulty such a task involved. He said
that all they wanted to prove was that
Admiral Schley was honest when he in
formed the department of his increasing
anxiety regarding the coal supply and
that he acted according to the dictates
OF his own conscience. He said the
question was not how long the fleet
could have remained OFF Santiago on
blockade, out what the fleet could have
done had the Spaniards come out. He
was prepared to prove that one ship
could not have followed the Spaniards
six hours and have had enough coal elft
to return TO Key West.
The interview with Admiral Sampson
at Key West was discussed, Mr.. Rayner
contcnding for the accuracy Of Admiral
Scheys recollection of the converse
ton as to attacks on alnd batteries.
Mr.. Rayner contendcd that there was
no ground for censure in connection
with Admiral Schley's conduct in the
reconnaissance of May 81 r..
had done no more than to exercise the
discretion allowed to a commander
chief under such circumstances
MIR. Rayn@r then came to specification
No. s. relating to the alleged with
drawal OF the Flying Squadron from off
Santiago at night The evidence had
shown, he said, that there was nothing
in that charge.
After the recess Mr.. Rayner discussed
tie ninth specification which dealt with
the. loop of the Brooklyn on July 3. and
Mr.. Rayner said he stood upon the tes-
Iimony OF Captain Cook, who, all things
taken together, 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 successful
II was intimated that the turn to the
southwark had been to get away from the
enemy, yet it was an indsputable fact
that the turn hads brought the Brooklyn
closer to the Spanish feet and she re-
ceised thirty of the forty-thrce shots
which struck the American ships. Captain
Cocks testimony. he said llumined this
r1anoeuvre and he planted himself upon
this testimony.
Mr.. Rayner then discussed the testi-
nony Of Hcilncr and Hodgson and in this
connection ridiculed the chart prepared
by the navigators OF the ships in the
battle.
That nayigator's chart said he, lis