Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-10-05

WASHINGTON, October 4.-Copies
a. Jurisprudence between Lieutenant
lodgson and Admiral Schley during
tie period from July 6, 1899, to August
i. 1901, were given to the press to-day
with the statement that the CORE
soondence will be submitted to the
HEY court of inquiry by Lieutenant
Hodgson while on the witness stand.
Most of it already has been published
IN the newspapers. although a part OF
has not been made public hereto
ore. On June 6, 1899, Admiral Schley
wrote Lieutenant Hodgson enclosing an
iitorial from the New York Sun, al
eging that colloquy had occurred be-
geen Schley and Hodgson on the
-idge of the Brooklyn during the bat
of Santiago. in the course of which
he admiral is reported to have said:
Damn the Texas. let her look out for
rself' in reply to Hodgson's remon-
TRANCE against turning the ship to
arboard. Characterizing this as
-rctesque lie" The Admiral asked
Hodeson ito write me your denial of
his oft-repeated calumny."
June Hodgson responded
In n Very Long Letter
dated at the New York navy yard, de-
nying he authorized the publication of
any conversation and making a long
4gplanation of what he says occurred
uring the battle He added that what
was printed "as a part of conversa-
On between you apd me, is substan-
ally correct, though not so as to the
manner in which it took place
Hodgson then tells of the rage with
heh the Brooklyn people heard the
nster whisper, upon her return TO
luantanamo bay. that they were gun
ny and he says that he gave what
thought was a true explanation OF
hat turn to many officers CT the fleet,
none of whom failed to agree with him.
e explains that he thought that Ad-
miral Sehley regarded this turn as a
trategical manoeuvre. looking to the
urther part the Brooklyn was to play
u that days battle. rather than as an
fort to avoid interfering with the fire
the other vessels Of the fleet. In
iact | thought then as | think now,
that the turn to starboard caused more
Interference
Then Hodgson gives his explanation
Of the turn. He tells of the belief that
existed that the Spanish ships
Outclassed the Americans
in speed and that in the absence of
he New York the Brooklyn was the
only American ship capable of pre-
venting the ESCAPE of the Spaniards
should they pass the fire of the battle
ships. The Spanish torpedo boats
we're also to be reckoned with. There
lore, says Hodgson. after putting the
helm to starboard and to port once or
'"ANt W Nouilitldtl TIC CllOi 10 VI shS
neresa and Viscaya to get into closer
action and ram us. and after the lead
ing Spanish ship had reached just a
little abaft cur port beam, you decided
10 port the helm and turn around in
chase to prevent the escape of any
OF the Spanish vessels
Hodgson writes that he suggested
that the Texas was off their starboard
beam and that there was danger OF
running into her and getting right
across her line of fire and that Schley
replied that the Texas would have to
OK out for that; 1T was imperative
20 get around Immediately, and that
~ turning to port you would get sc
close TO the enemy that
You Would Expose Yourself
10 attack from the torpedo boats, that
lucky shot or two by the enemy
might disable the Brooklyn and that
You did not propose to run such a risk
III that stage of the battle when it was
so unnecessary and when so much de-
Rended on the speed of the Brooklyn
Ilodgson writes that he then suggest
'a backing the starboard engine. "be.
cause it would shorten the circle and
give the Texas o wider BERTH" and
mat Schley replied after pause. mo
because it would deaden our speed OF
turning, and you wish to get around
as quick as possible. For weeks after
me battle CAPTAIN Cook was under the
Impression that we had backed the
starboard engine"
Hodgson explains that in making tn,
SUGGESTION he was discharging his duty
IS the navigator OF the ship, charged
with her safety, and at the moment die
not consider the effect Of the turn upor
me results Of the battle. and he adds
Immediately perceived that you