The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-20
NUMBER 1917.
SCHLEY ENQUIRY RESUMED
Much Time Devoted TO Arguing an
Important Point.

Santiago Did All Tie Could 20 De
ssrOy the Colon Before the Great
fiEht-CounscI for the MHry lander
Objects TO the witness Opinion.
Whether OF not the personal opinion of
an officer relative 10 the actions OF an
other shall be taken in evidence. was a
question Of argument which consumed
considerable time at the Schley Court of
Enquiry today Counsel for Admiral
Schley made vigorous objection to the
opinion Of Admiral Francis HiEEinson.
former commander OF the Massachusetts,
TO the effect that he did not think Ad-
miraI Schley made all efforts incumbent
upon him as commander Of the fleet to
capture or destroy the Spanish cruiser
Colon. while the Spanish ship was at an
chor in Santiago Harbor from May p to
81
Admiral HiEEinson was the only witness
examined before the recess. The most i'm
portant statements IN his testimony were
squadron TO coal at sea of Santiago be-
fore what is called the retrograde move
ment to Key West was begun. and his
opinion that Admiral Schley had not done
all possible to destroy the Colon.
The Court reaSsemhIed at the Navy
Yard at II o'clock this morning with all
the members present. after a recess of
eight days. The Court has not had "a
session since the day of it's original meet
q.
70 hearing evidence Of argument in regard
10 the eligibility Of Rear Admiral Henry
/ Howison. the Junior member. and at
the conclusion Of the hearing the other
two members, Admiral George Dewey and
Rear Admiral Andrew r. X. Benham. an
nounctd, after ten minutes consultation.
that Admiral HOwisou would be excused
from serving.
The Court then adjourned indefinitely TO
enable the Navy Department 20 select a
member in place Of Admiral H0wison and
on the following day. September Is. il was
announced that Rear Admiral Francis NJ.
Ramsay. retired. had been appointed. Il
had been the intention Of AdmiraIs Dew
ey and Benham 70 have the Court reas-
semble on last Monday. Meanwhile Pres
ident Mckinley died and it was announced
that the Court would not meet until to-
day.
Public Interest Diminished.
Captain Lemly. the Judge Advocate.
and Mr. Hanna. Solicitor Of the Navy De
partment, were the first officials to arrive
The took seats al their table and busted
themselves asserting papers As the hour
set for the opening Of the Court approach
ed it became apparent that public inter
est IN the proceedings has abated- Only
about haIf the seats allotted 70 the gen
eral public were occupied at 10.45 o'clock.
Admiral Dewey was the first member OF
the Court 10 enter the room. He was ac-
companied by Mrs. Dewey. who. after
chatting a few moments with Captain
Lemly and Mr.. Hanna. returned home.
Rear Admiral Schley entered the court
room at 1850. His appearance was greet
ed with applause which continued until
he disappeared into the dressing room.
The Admiral looked well and walked
firmly. almost Jsuntily UP the long flight
OF stairs. carrying the heavy suit case
which cor tanned his uniform He was
dressed il a blue serge suit with double
breasted coat, and wore a black derby
hat. He was accompanied by his coun-
sci. Capt. James Parker Judge Jere ".
Wilson, and Judge IsidOre Rayner- Each
OF the three attorneys representing the
Admiral we're in excellent spirits
Admiral Schley soon returned 70 the
court room. dressed in the fatigue uni
form OF the United States Navy.
AdmiraIs Benham and Ramsay arrived
within a few minutes Of each other Ad-
miral Ramsay was recognized by but few
Of those who occupied the public seats.
Opening of the Court.
A moment or two after II o'clock The
three members Of the Court-Admiral
Dewey and Rear Admirals Benham and
Ramsay-in fatigue uniforms, emerged
from their consultation room and Admiral
Dewey declared the Court open as he let
his gavel fall.
Captain LemIy at once arose and read
the letter Of Acting Secretary Hackett APP
pointing Rear Admiral Francis NJ. Ram
say TO duty on the Court Of Enquiry in
the place Of Rear Admiral Howisou.
Captain Lemly then read q copy of let
ter from Admiral Dewey 10 the Secretary
Of the Navy requesting the use Of the doc
umentary evidence in the possession of
the Navy Department bearing upon the
matters 10 be investigated 10y the court.
The Judge Advocate next read the re-
ply Of Acting Secretary HacIett, dated
the Navy Department. Washington. Sep
Dewey, President Of the Court, in which
the Acting Secretary informed the latter
that there were certain papers at the
Navy Department, and that the request
for these documents would receive atteu-
ton.
Captain Lemly extended across the
table a small leathvred-coyered Bible up
on which Admiral Dewey and his two as
sOciates laid their hands Captain LemIv
then administered the oath Of faithful
and conscientious performance Of duty.
Admiral Dewey said Il do" as ne kissed
the book and passed it TO Admiral Ben
ham and Admiral Ramsay. who in turn
raised IL 60 their lips and repeated Ad-
miral Dewey's words.
Admiral Dewey then swore Captain
LemIy. Next the three court sten0graph-
ers swore 20 take only accurate accounts
OF the proceedings. Admiral Dewey an
noUnced that the court would take a re-
cess and the three officers accompanied
by Captain Lemly. retired 10 the consul
tation room. There the precept framed
for the guidance Of the court was read TO
Admiral Ramsay.
After d few minutes the three officers re-
entered the court room and resumed their
seats AT the table. Captain Lemiy asked
whether he or counsel for Admiral SchIey
should open the case. Judge Wilson bow
I'd and waved his hand toward the Judge
advocate. sigHifying that Admiral SchIey
would wait until the other side had con-
cluded it's case Then Captain LemIy be-
gan:
i should like TO place before the Court
the report Of tive Bureau Of Navigation