The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-22
MORE SCHLEY EVIDENCE
~ GIVEN BEFORE THE NAVAL COURT OF
INQUIRY.
EIGHT OF BROOKLYNS OFFICERS
Give Evidence as to the Action of That
the Bearing OF Admiral SchIey-Mr.
Rayner Has. Another Tilt With the
Judge Adyocate-Schley to Go Upon
the stand Later
the stand Later

the Stand Later
Washington, October 1.-THE presen-
tation of Admiral Schley's side of the
controversy was continued before the
-Schley court of inquiry today, eight
witnesses being examined. OF these five
were ensigns. and the entire eight had
served on board the Brooklyn.
The first Of the days witnesses was
Lieutenant Charles Webster, who had
begun his testimony yesterday. He was
followed by Lieutenant Commander T.
d. Griffin. who had charge of the
powder division on the Brooklyn dur
ing the fight off Santiago, and he was
succeeded by Ensigns c. A. Bell, John
Haligan, Jr.. Ulysses S. Macy, James
NJ. n Ralph n. Marble. The last wit
ness of the day was Medical Director
Paul Fitzsimmons. who was chief sur
geon of the flying squadron. While
Ensign Haligan was on the stand. Mr..
Rayner sought to bring out Information
as to the American ships in sight at
the beginning of the battle OF July 81.
but Judge Advocate Lemly objected on
the ground that the question was in
Ttended to show the absence Of the New
York and the i~nterrogdtory was With
drawn.
There has been some inquiry as to
Admiral Schley's standing in the navy
since he was placed on the retired list
eau of age but 1t appears that all
question on this point has been set
tied by the department. having assign
ed the admiral to active duty" at the
court Of inquiry, while it is IL progress.
h action was taken to prevent any
r. a. - -,
retirement would nave on the action
OF the court.
1t a been the intention of Admiral
Schley's counsel to PROFOUND yester-
day a number of questions to the court
which it was proposed 10 put to the
witnesses for the purpose of determfn-
ing to what extent Admiral Sampson's
connection with the present inquiry
could be gone into, and II Was cot de-
clded until the beginning of the after
moon session to withhold the questions.
The decision was then reached largely
because it was believed that the infor-
nation intended to be elected by the
questions could be secured in q more di-
rect and certain way by Lieutenant
McCauley's testimony regarding sig
mails on July Bird.
The question which had been formu-
lated, for presentation previous to MI.
McCauley'S taking the stand. related
principally to the movements of Adj
miral SIMPSONS flagship. the New
York, on July 3rd, the aay Of the bat
tie off Santiago. and especially to the
signals of that day directing the fleet
to disregard the fagsnip's movements.
1t is still the intention to present other
questions involving Admiral SIMPSONS
relation to the inquiry before the close
of n case. 1t seems probable that
their presentation will be deferred I'M
til a time shortly before the beginning
of Admiral SchIey's testimony.
p The first of Yesterdays witnesses
fcalled for the correction Of testimony
was Commander Mason and after him
came in succession, Lieutenant Com
mander Seares, Lieutenant McCauley
n Lieutenant Webster.
a number of additional questions
We're addressed to Lieutenant Webster
by Mr.. Hanna. Replying, the witness
said hat he had seen signal lights at
night on the shore while lying off San
tiago.
In connection with the question Of
the distance off shore at Santiago, Mr..
Hanna asked: while the vessels were
on blockade at Santiago from May 29th
to the 31st inclusive, were you able dur
ing the night, to distinguish points in
shore readily while o were on watch?
The witness replied in the negative.
Gould you see the vessels on the
inner inc at night?"
mot without the aid of searchlights."
In reply to a question by Mr.. Rayner
he stated that after the surrender of
xGhe Colon on July 3rd he had gon to
4the forecastle to look for other ships.
We had only seen the Oregon and the
Texas. The smoke of other vessels was
visible, but not the vessels themselves.
COMMANDER GRIFFIN.
Lieutenant Commander Griffin gave
details of the Cienfuegos campaign,
saying that the distance of the block
aiding line there varied from three to
sever miles. being farther out at night.
Asked by Mr.. Rayner concerning a
conversation between Commodore
Schley and the commander of the Eagle
the witness said: when the Eagle
came up astern of the Brooklyn, the
commodore hailed the commanding Of
ficer of that vessel and told him in sub
stance that he could not delay the
squadron any longer on his account
and that he wanted him to proceed tc
Jamaica for coal. The commanding of,
fcer of the Eagle seemed very DESTROYS
remaining with the squadron"
y At Santiago the witness said that the
blockade line was a mile or two closer
in at night than during the day and or
May 29th the fleet stood OUT three OF