The Topeka state journal., 1901-11-06
SCHLEY IN TEARS
Wave of Applause Greets Close
of Rayner's Argument.

Washington, Nov. 6.-At 1923 D. m.
Mr.. Rayner closed his argument for
Admiral Schley.
Admiral Schley was in tears as he de-
livered his peroration- A wave of ap-
plause swept over the room as Mr..
Rayner concluded. The court then ad-
journed until o'clock tomorrow.
During the passage-at-arms between
Capt. Lemly and Mr.. Rayner, the for
mer accused the latter of attempting to
traduce the reputation of an officer.
This, he said, he had no right to do.
And you" replied MIR. Rayner. have
right to traduce the reputation of
Admiral Schley.''
While Mr.. Rayner was discussing the
testimony of Lieut.. Commander Potts
before the Schley court of inquiry this
afternoon he said that the commander
had said that he always was scared
in battle" Capt Lemly protested
against this language, and a sharp ver-
bal encounter between the two occurred
when Capt Lemly said that Mr.. Ray
ner was unreliable.
YOU replied Mr.. Rayner, ARE not
only unreliable, but you are offensive
Admiral Dewey interfered to say that
the court would consider all the teSti-
mony that Lieut.. Potts had said that
he was scared but that Mr.. Rayner had
stretched the testimony little There
was, however, no occasion for ascerbity
Capt Lemly then said he regretted hav-
ing made the remark and Mr.. Rayner
continued his speech
Referring to the Hodgson controversy
Capt Parker said that he really be-
lieved Hodgson desired to tell the truth
but unfortunately he had told diff
ferent story every time he had opened
his mouth. Capt Parker said he did
not know how the alleged controversy
over the danger of colliding with the
Texas arose except from the story
which had been told by the captain of
the Iowa. The speaker was very sar-
castle in his allusion to Capt Evans
alleged statement regarding the damage
he had done to the Spanish ships. Capt
Parker concluded with a glowing tribute
to Admiral Schley.
Mr. Rayner began his argument at
II: :25 a. m. He paid a compliment to
Judge Advocate Lemly and his assist
and Mr.. Hanna, for the most judicial
impartiality with which they have man
aged this case"
Mr.. Rayner made a plea for the con-
sideration of questions from what was
at that time Commodore Schley's point
of view.
Let u.s." he said, put ourselves in
his place and see what the circum-
stances We're. We know now what it
would have been wise to do"
Discussing dispatch No known as
the Dear Schley'' letter, Mr.. Rayner
that message made it incumbent upon
Commodore SchIey to remain at Glen
fuegos. He declared that this was the
key to the whole case and that it did
not admit of any other construction
than that Commodore Schley should re-
main at Cienfuegos.-
He declared that Admiral Schley was
the victim of an unfortunate combina-
ton of circumstances that left him in
total darkness as to the loca-
ton of the Spanish fleet.
Concerning the question Of coaling at
sea, Mr. Rayner read the testimony of
several witnesses to prove the great
difficulties such a task involved. He
said that all they wanted to prove was
that Admiral Schley was honest when
he informed the department of his in
creased anxiety regarding the coal sup
ply and that he acted according to the
dictates of his own conscience.
He was prepared to prove that one ship
could not have followed the SpaniardS
six hours and have had enough coal to
return to Key West.
Coming to the reconnaissance of May 81,
Mr. Rayner contended that it had been
develop the Spanish land batteries and in
this. he said, he had been eminently
successful. He claimed that the man who
was in command at such a time should
be given great discretion, for he must
necessarily know of the situation
than the gentlemen who make out battle
plans at home on charts with compass
thousands of miles away how to fight a