Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-10-04
EVANS STORY ENDED
He Gives Further Evidence in the
Schley Inquiry.
SHORT SYNOPSIS OF HIS TESTIMONY.
His Cross-Rxnmination brings Out
Some Statements Rather Favor
able for schley-Capt. sigs-
bee ON the stand.

five adnirals of the United States
navy congregated Tuesday within the
railing of the gunners' shop In the
navy yard where the Schley court of
inquiry meets. Admiral Dewey and
Ramsay, occupied their usual seats as
members of the court, and Rear Adj
miral Schley his customary place at
the table set apart for the ''the appli-
cant" in the witness stand. Rear Adj
miral Evans, who had been called
Monday, still occupied his position
and continued to tell his story of the
part taken by him as captain of the
Iowa during the historic period Of
the Santiago campaign.
Withheld Code from sohley.
Mr. Rayner began his interroga-
tions by asking the witness concern
ing the secret code of signals for
communicating with the Cuban insur-
gents near Cienfuegos. The admiral
said that when Capt. Chadwick com
municated this code TO him he did
not instruct him to give the infor-
nation to Commodore Schley. Mr..
Rayner then questioned the witness
especially as to his interviews with
Commodore Schley after the battle of
Santiago.
Evans Denies Conversation.
."Did you have conversation with Com
modore Schley on July 4, some time dur
ing the morning between eight and twelve
O'Clock on his flagship at Santiago. in the
course of which you used language as fol-
lows: Did you know that Jack Philip
started to run away at the beginning of
the battle and to which Commodore
Schley replied: You are mistaken about
that, Evans; I saw nothing of the kind.
The Brooklyn made turn and you must
see the tactical situation that made 1T
necessary?
st do not remember being on board the
Brooklyn on the 4th of July. I think 1t
was the 9Th at Guantanamo. I am quite
positive I was not on board the Brooklyn
off Santiago but onoe and that Was long
time before that. AS to the conversation
never said anything TO the effect thai
Capt. Philip had run away or attempted &c
run away. On thinking over last night
what did occur with reference to the Tex
as think Commodore 6chley and dis
cussed the position Of the Texas when the
fight began. The Texas was lying with her
head to the east when the engagement be-
gan and she turned with starboard helm
and headed OF in the same direction as
the rest of US. She fired first with her port
battery, and then put her helm to starboard
and headed in the same direction with the
rest of the ships. think that question
discussed with Commodore Schley. can.
not be sure of 1t, but that ever intimated
that Capt. Philip attempted to run away
with the Texas is preposterous on the face
of It."
did you have conversation with him
on the same day. at the same place and al
$hn mo hnfrr Mt oth y,1a {,,
which you used substantially the following
language: i shot the bow off the Pluton
the stern off the Furor. put my helm t
starboard and raked the Teresa ant
knocked out the Viscayar"
'To the best of my knowledge and belief
never used such language"
Schley Called a Conference.
on board the flagship Brooklyn by signal
on the morning of May % after the Colon
was discovered?'
'"They were.''
"Can you tell me or do you recollect what
took place at the conference of the com.
manding officers at that timer
Commodore Schley was in the cabin OF
the Brooklyn when we assembled, ani
there was a general talk about the Spanish
fleet having been located at last at San
tiago. do not recollect any special con
ference. do not think 1t was in the natur,
the officers were asked to express any opin
son. ! remember having a conversation
with Commodore Schley about the effec
of the fighting batteries on the ships, ir
which told him of the experience we hat
had at San Juan. and EXPRESSED the opin-
fon to him that 1t was not worth while tc
risk ships fighting shore batteries alone;
that | did not think anything would be
gained by 1t. In the case under considera-
ton the Spanish ships were present in the
harbor The conditions were changed, and
we would have to take the risk of the fire
from the batteries in order to get at them
I remember Commodore Schley remarking
before we left that he felt that the country
held him responsible; that the ships should
not be risked under the fire of the shore
Batteries until the Spanish feet was de.
stroyed.'
SchIey Had Plan Of Battle.
II want to call your attention to the re-
port of Capt. McCalla, of the Marblehead
on page 426. of the appendix, which says:
Commodore Schley explained to the COM
manding officers that in case the Spanish
ships came out he wished to concentrate
the batteries OF all our ships on portion
of those of the enemy. This was not ex-
planned as tactical concentration of our
whole force on a part Of the enemy, but as
a division of our whole fire on several of
the enemy's ships During the time the
commanding officers were on board the
flagship Capt. Evans asked Commodore
Scf,ley If 1t We're his intention to steam al