The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-10-30
The SGRLEY COURT OF INQUIRY.
Admiral schley Spends Day Upon
Stand. Testimony Of Several
Witnesses Contradicted.

Washington, Oct. 2o.--When tne
Schley court adjourned today Admiral
Schley had not completed his testlmo-
nv in chief. He took the stand about
half past II O'Clock, after former wit
nesses had been recalled for the pur-
pose of making corrections in and ad-
ditions to their testimony, and contln-
ned his statement until the court ad-
iourned at 3.4O p. m. This adjourn
ment 20 minutes in advance OF the us
ual time was due to the fact that the
admiral's throat had become somewhat
sensitive as result Of his continuous
talking Yesterday and today. He had
made complaint to the court of the
condition of his throat Immediately
after concluding his recital OF the
story of the battle of Santiago, and
Admiral Dewey, who evidently himself
had noticed the difficulty, responded
by showing willingness to adjourn
the court. Mr.. Raynor, however, ex-
pressed desire to proceed, saying
that he had a nubmer of questions
which he wished to ask, and Admiral
Schley assented to his counsel's sug-
gestion. A quarter of an hour later
Admiral Dewey himself renewed the
suggestion for an adjournment, and
ali concerned agreeing to this PROPOSE
ton the court adjourned until Mon
day at IL o'clock.
The day was a notable one in the
court. By large odds the largest
crowd that has yet attended any of the
sessions was present, and earnest in
terest was manifested throughout the
proceedings. Long before the begin
ming of the morning session all the
seats reserved for visitors in the court
room were occupied, and the greater
portion of the space in the rear OF
these seats was covered by men and
women standing. They not only stood
upon the floor but upon the window
sills and tables, and even the elevator
machinery in that portion OF the hall
was covered by men. On only one
OCCASION was there any attempt at ap-
pIause, and this was suppressed before
It had reached any magnitude.
The chief event of the day was the
adniral's relation of the events OF
july 8. when the American feet sent
Cervera's SQUADRON to the bottom OF
the sea or to the beach. He told his
story of this historical occurrence IN
plain words, and in unaffected style,
but the narrative was straightforward
and to the point, indicating close IA
miliarity with all the phases Of that
event. He said that the Brooklyn for
a time had sustained the fire of all
four of the Spanish ships, and also the
fire of the Spanish land batteries.
Explaining the historical turn OF his
own flagship, the Brooklyn. he said
that she had not approached within
less than 600 yards of the Texas, and
that he never had considered that yes
sci in the least danger. He also
stated, in response to an interrogation
from Mr.. Raynor, that be had never
during the battle engaged in any col
loouy with Lieut.. Hodgson. and that
he had not used the expression attrib-
uted to him by Hodgson. This refers
to the alleged colloeuy in which the
admiral is charged With having said
damn the Texas. Admiral Schley also
gave the details of the reconnolsance
of May 81, when the Spanish ship
Colon was bombarded. In this con-
nection he denied the statements at
tributed to him by Commander Potts
of the battleship Massachusetts,.
At the opening of the court Lieuten-
ant Commander Harlow of the Vixen
was asked this question by the court:
s.Did the Vixen carry verbal report
from Commodore Schley to the COM
mander-in-chief July 2, that there was
unusual activity shown by the enemy
in the harbor?''
Vixen received by megaphone from an
officer on the quarter deck of the
Brooklyn on the night of July End,
such message as that, and to the best
of my belief did, as she 1usally did,
carry such messages to the flagship and
to other vessels of the squadron.
In response to Capt. Lemly witness
said he had no recollection of the de-
livery of this message to the CON-
mander-in-chIef.