The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-05
MIR. HANNA'S ARGUMENT.
Governments Presentation of the Case
and Summary of Evidence.

Immediately after the reading of this
statement the argument in the case was
begun, Mr.. Z. p. Hanna, as assistant to
Judge Advocate Lemly, opening for the
government Mr.. Hanna began his pre-
sentation of the case by saying that in
what he should say in his proposed sum-
mary he would like to accomplish two OBJ
jects. The first Of these would be to make
his address brief and terse, and the second
to present a careful and exhaustive cita-
ton of the evidence adduced. He then pro-
ceeded to review the evidence Coming
down to the blockade off CienfuegOs, Mr.
Hanna read the order of Admiral Sampson
to Commodore Schley, dated May 10, 1898,
directing the latter to take steps to pre-
vent the enemy from continuing work on
the new Notifications at Cienruegos. 1T
does not appear continued Mr. Hanna
that any steps were taken 10 prevent work
on these new fortihcations IN fact, this
order was not, so far the testimony
shows, in any way regarded. No gun was
fired at Cienfuegos by the flying squadron
for any purpose except by Captain McCalla,
knock down blockhouse some miles from
the entrance to the harbor."
After reviewing the testimony in regard
TO the blockade of CienfuegOs, Mr.. Hanna
quoted the order directing Commodore
Schley to leave Cienfuegos before daylight
of May %, and said that this order had
directed that, if possible the squadron
should leave before daylight of that day, it
should be construed as q message OF ur-
gency. almost every word Of this mes
sage imparts haste and urgency" he said.
Evidently the commander-in-chiefd did not
expect Commodore Schley to remain at
Cienfuegos after its receipt" He then pro-
ceeded to show that while this dispatch
bore the same date No. s, il was really
later, because No. had been dated at
Key West, and the above order had not
been written until the arrival of Admiral
Sampson at Havana, ninety miles eastward
Hence he contended that this order should
have superseded No. s. Clearly then" he
said, Commodore Schley was under urgent
instructions TO leave for Santiago at once
He did not do so, and did not leave until
the evening Of the next day. Respecting
the order that the flying squadron, on leav-
Ing CienfuegoS, should mask its movements,
Mr.. Hanna said that this order was not
carried out This concludes the subject
of the first and second specifications said
Mr.. Hanna. He presented the following
points covering these specifications. which.
he said, he had made In the form or in
quiries:
First-Why the flying squadron was dila-
tory in arriving at Cienfuegos-
Second-Why the squadron was held there
after the receipt of SIMPSONS order writ
ten and dated off Havana May q, saying
BE at Santiago May "a
Third-Why nothing was done TO COM
municate with the Cubans after the re-
ceipt of the McCalla memorandum, date
SIS, May q, and particularly why the
three-light signals that had attracted gem
eral attention on board the fleet, were not
/ Investigated after Commodore Schey
learned that there were Cubans in the
neighborhood where such signals were dis
played.
Fourth-Why order No. g. directing that
steps be taken to prevent the enemy from
continuing work on certain new fortifica-
tons, was not obeyed
Fifth-Why the order directing the mask
ing of the movements of the fleet on leav-
Ing (lenfuegOS was not ODeyed.
SiXth-The nature and causes of the cur
rent said to have accounted for the steam
ing of the ships off shore at night while on
blockade at Cienfuegos.
Seventh-Why. after learning positively
| that the Spanish squadron was not there,
and accepting this report as conclusive, the
commodore sent official letters and tele-
grams saying not that they would leave at
once, but on the following day.
Eighth-Why the commodore failed TO
report 10 any high authority that he &C
tually did leave Cienfuegos on the evening
| of the oath. if. as appears he did So fail
| to report; and generally.
Ninth-Why, irrespective OF signals or
! derS or aids or any source, the command
| ing officer OF the flying squadron, did not,
/ While at Cienfuegos. Of his own motion.
| and with the resources under his command.
| do something 10 gain information of the
| Spanish fleet
Mr. Hanna then took up the third speci-
| icatien of the precept concerning the cruise
| from Cienfuegos TO Santiago. He admitted
| that the Eagle had delayed the progress OF
| the squadron, but said this was not due To
| the weather. but TO water in her compart-
ments. The testimony was, he said. uniform
| 10 the effect that the run was a slow one,
and that 1t did not proceed with dispatch.
as directed.
| Reference was made i'm this connection.
! to the sending away of the Eagle 10 Port
Antonio for coal, and Commander Souther-
lands testimony was quoted to the effect