The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-06
DRAWING To A CLOSE
THE sCHLEY INQUIRY NOW CON-
FINED TO ARGUMENT.
HANNA'S LENGTHY SPEECH,
HE TALKS FOR FOUR AND ONE
HALF HOURS.

posing Counsel as a Trial Instead
of an Inquiry as to Facts-His ArA
Eument TO BE Continued To-day.
Admiral schIey's Health Inn
proved.
Washington, Nov. 5.-The time Of
the Schley court of inquiry was entire
ly devoted to-day to hearing argument
in the case of Admiral Schley. Mr..
Hanna finished his argument in behalf
of the department, which had been
begun yesterday, and Capt. Parker be-
gan, but did not conclude his presen-
tation of the case for Admiral Schley.
Mr.. Hanna to- day considered the ret
rograde movement, the bombardment
of the Colon and the charge made
against Admiral Schley of disobedience
of orders. Capt. Parker had only
reached the coaling question when the
court adjourned. He defended the con-
duct of Admiral Schley at all stages
of the campaign so far as he went.
1t is expected that Capt. Parker will
conclude his speech tomorrow. when
Mr.. Rayner will begin.
Admiral Schley reached the court
room at an early hour and his friends
were gratifed to find that the severe
cold with which he had Suffered yes
terday had greatly improved.
Mr.. Hanna continued his discussion
of the retrograde movement. saying
that but one explanation had been
given for it in Admiral Schlev's dis
patch, namely. the inadequacy of the
coal supply.
"There is," he said, mo suggestion Of
any other reason in this dispatch"
Mr.. Hanna then took up specification
five of the precept relating to the dis
obedience by Commodore Schley of the
orders of the department contained in
its dispatch. dated May 25, 1898.
Mr.. Hanna took issue with Admiral
Schley that this was suggestion and
not mandatory order.
so far from being suggestive,
doubtful or uncertain, are the terms of
this order that they approach the verge
Of reproof." said Mr.. Hanna. Their
incJsive iistinctness is notable, so much
70 that 7 think few subordinate officers,
having turned their backs on a task to
which they had been assigned. would
care TO be arrested I'm such act by A
telegraphic order from a superior
ccuched in such terms"
Mr.. Hanna quoted Admiral Schley's 5
dispatch of May q in which he ex-
pressed regret over not being able to
obey orders, saying that as it was writ
ten after the Cotton dispatch had been
received it was an explicit confession
that the Cotton telegram was an order.
Commenting upon this dispatch he said
that it was "the most remarkable one
to be found in the annals Of the Ameri-
can navy"
Quoting tIe expression from the same
dispatch: ut is to be regretted that
the departments orders cannot be
obeyed" Mr., Hanna remarked:
Most undoubtedly. 1t was a critical
time, and the action of Commodore
Schley in abandoning his station before
Santiago thus, as he himself states,
failing to obey the departments or
ders. created grave anxieties in our
national councils"
Mr.. Hanna discussed at length the
coal supply. maintaining that it was
ample.
Specification seven was next consid-
cred. This requires an inquiry as to
whether every proper effort was made
to capture the Colon as that vessel lay
in the harbor at Santiago. Mr.. Hanna
said:
"If the fire of May 81 was intended
to destroy the Colon 1t was total fall
ure If it was intended as a recon
noissance. 1t was an eminent success
and clearly demonstrated that IL all the
ships available had been taken into ac-
ton the batteries could probably have
been very speedily silenced, and the Co
Ion, moored stem and stern, broadside
to the entrance, in a narrow channel,
could have been destroyed without
damage to any OF the vessels Of the
American fleet. and, further that sec
ond vessel of the Viscaya class would
perhaps also have met like fate"
Referring to the eighth specification
Mr.. Hanna said IL did not appear that
the squadron was withdrawn from
Santiago harbor to a distance at sea.
Mr.. Hanna said that beyond the
Brooklyn's turn the battle at Santia-
go was not involved In the inquiry. Mr..
Hanna said beyond peradventure the
progress Of the Texas was seriously
interfered with. Thus. he argued, a
battleship not only was imperiled, but
delayed by the danger of collision at
this critical time. The loop OF the
Brooklyn was, he said, the only move
ment of that day that had called for
any explanation.
Mr.. Hanna also discussed the alleged
colloquy between Commodore Schley
and Lieut.. Hodgson, which forms the
tenth count in the precept In which
Schley was alleged to have said dur
ing the turn. Dam the Texas" This
remark, Mr.. Hanna said, showed a
lack OF interest in another ship Of the
neet.
Mr.. Hanna concluded his speech at
2:S5 O'Clock after having spoken about
four and a half hours.
Parker's CIearcut Argument.
Capt. Parker, junior counsel for Ad-
niral Schley. then began his address
in support OF Admiral Schley. He
spoke In clear and distinct tons. II
doubt" said Capt. Parker. ~ the
naval history OF the world presents, or
ever has presented, a case OF the I'M
portance and character Of that in which
we have so long been engaged. doubt
if a tribunal more exalted In the
character Of the persons who
composed II has ever sat In judgment
on brother officer doubt II an
ofiicer. with the lifelong character and
standing and conduct that Admiral
schley has always displayed. was
ever called upon before 10 ask an in
yef legation Of his conduct as a vic
t0riOus commander 0f o feet.
There 10 no accuser here" he said
nobody is on trial, and yet the case
has been conducted a. though Com
madofe fchlfy were on trial We yet