Waterbury Democrat., 1901-10-16
SCHLEY'S BEARING
Was all That Could be Desired
 in Santiago Battle.
HIS OLD OFFICERS PRAISE HIM

The Schley Dispatch That Was Never
 Sent-Court Refused to Hear it
 Read-Rayner Said To-aay He Had
 Number of Questions to Ask
 About Sampson's Flagship and the
 Signals.
 Washington, Oct 16.-The Schley court of inquiry began proceedings to- day as usual with the correction of testimony given on the previous day, the witnesses summoned for this pur- pose being Captain Cook and Lieuten- ant Commander Sears, who testified yesterday. When they had left the stand Commander Newton E. Mason, who was executive officer on the Brook Iyn, during the war with Spain was called to relate his observations of the conduct of the Santiago campaign. It is the purpose of Mir Rayner to first canine officers of the Brooklyn, and to follow these with number of those who were on the Oregon during the battle of Santiago It is understood that his entire list of witnesses is practically confined to persons who were on board these two vessels.
 In connection with to-days proceed fngs, MT Rayner presented a number of questions to the court which he said he desired to ask of Admiral Schley's witnesses concerning certain signals which were sent from Admiral Sampson's flagship, the New York. on the morning of July 3. before that yes sel left for Siboney for the purpose of allowing the commander in chief of the naval forces to consult with Gen eral Shafter. These signals, Mir Ray ner contends. had the effect of placing the entire fleet under the command of Commodor Schley, and on this ac- count he urges their relevancy.
 While Commander Sears was on the stand yesterday, Captain Lemly asked his age, but the court, after quite a prolonged consultation in retirement, decided that the question was not ad- missib1e. It held, however. that the time of service could be inquired into.
 MT Rayner sought to secure the in troduction of a brief report of the bat tie of July 3,which Commodore Schley prepared for transmission to the sec retary of the navy. It was stated that Commander Sears had taken this dis patch ashore to be cabled to the sec retary, but that it never reached that official. The dispatch was ruled out on the ground that as it was not re- ceiyed it was not an official communi- cation It was not read in the court room, but the following is a copy of it: ''The Secretary of the Navy, Wash
 ington:
 Spanish squadron came out of San tiago harbor this morning. July 3, at 9:3O, and were all captured or destroy ed in a running fight to the westward of about three and one-half hours. Very few casualties in our fleet: Ellis. chief yeoman. killed, and one man wounded on the Brooklyn. Reports from other ships not in yet. The com mander in chief now experimenting transfer of prisoners from the Cristo- bal Colon, which surrendered to the Brooklyn and Oregon at 1:15 p. m. About 1000 prisoners in all, including Spanish admiral. Victory complete. Details later.
 (Signed SCHLEH-
 Captain Cook was recalled during the day and in response to question by Captain Lemly made an additional statement concerning the retrograde movement of the flying squadron May 26 to May 2S.
 He also said in answer to a question by the court that Commodore Schley, during the battle of July 3, was cool, brave and enthusiastic. J cannot i'm agine any conduct in battle more ad- mirable"