Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-09-23
HARDER ANNOYED
At Counsel Rayner's Shaking
His Finger at Him.
Statements Of Others Have Nothing
to Do With His Opinion.
Commander Schroeder Doesn't Think SchIfy
Did All That He Should.

Washington, Sept. 2l.-Admiral Dew
ey called the Schley court of inquiry
to order promptly at Il O'Clock today.
All the members of the court were
present on the minute. and Rear Al
miral Schley was seated with his coun-
sci at the table set apart for them on
the left Of the witness seat. The at
tendance OF the public was somewhat
larger than that of yesterday.
CAPT. Giles L. Harder. executive Off
Ger OF the Texas during tic war with
Spain. who Was on the stand when the
court adjourned yesterday, and who
then testified regarding the cOaling Of
the Texas az sea. and that he did not
see the famous loop made by the crui-
ser Brooklyn during the naval battle
off Santiago. was the first witness Of
the morning. The judge advocate asked
no question Of him and he was imme-
diately turned over to Mr.. Eayner Of
counsel fer Admiral Schley, who ques-
toned him concerning his statement
made. yesterday. to the effect that he
did not recall that any picket line was
established inside the line Of blockade
at CientucgOs.
A report by Admiral Schley was read
to the effect that Il picket line had
been maintained. but the witness de
clned to change his statement. Asked
whether the Brooklyn had not, on May
"A. signal!ed the Texas to go alongside
the collier and coal, he said that he did
not recall anything Of the kind.
Mr.. Rayner read the signal message,
Go alongside the collier ard coal as
rapidly rs possible" but no amount n
pressing could bring the witness 10 say
that he remembered the incident He
said he had had very iittlc TO do with
tho signalling.
TIE same replies practically were
made in response 10 questions regard
in, other signals. Mr.. Rayner quoted
several Of these. One transmitted from
the Texas to the Brooklyn read: "On
an after thought, the captain thinks it
unsafe to put a collier between battle
ships
Another from the Texas read: Il do
not think it safe to coal. The two ships
will surely crash together.
Capt HARDER replied that he remcm-
bered there was some talk OF the col
licr, but he could not recall what 1t
was. Speaking of the signals observed
off Cienfucgos. he said his supp1sition
was that Of other officers. that they
were between the Spanish forces.
Cant. Harder also was questioned
closely concerning the rate Of speed
of the fleet on the sail from Cicnfuc-
gos to Santiago on May %. He said the
weather was fresh. and the sea mod
crate: that it was hard for small YES
sells, but it was nothing much he
thought The Texas could have made
10 to l. knots.
Mr.. Rayner had the witness read
from the logs OF the Massachusetts,
the Iowa. the Brooklyn and other yes
sells. concerning the weather at that
time. Mr.. Rayner read a report from
Can't. Higginson. saying that the
weather had been rough and squally
on the 25th.
CAPT. Harder said that the report of
Cant Hieglnson was not borne out by
the log book of his ship.
1T does not correspond with the
log" he said. and added that. having
given his best recollection concerning
the weather. he thought Mr.. Rayncr
had an Interior motive in his cues ions.
Mr.. Rayner declared that he had no
such end in view.
Then" said the witness, Il have
given you my best recollection concern
ing the ather.
..That is what / want" responded
the attorney.
THAT is what | have given YOU, re-
peated the witness.
Capt. Lemley. the judge advocate.
objected to the examination OF capt.
narbcr al the record Of 2 snip Whicl
he had had no part in preparing. ara
the court sustained the objection
Continuing his testimony Capt Har-
Dor insisted that ne weather On MAJ
- was not rough
He also maintained that it was his
recollection as stated. yesterday trait
the feet was farther out at night than
in the day time. When his attention
was called to Il contrary statement by
Admiral Higginson the witness said
that it was not material to him what
any other man had said that he haG
given his estimate and was not con-
ccrned about the statements Of other7.
Then you object to having your
memory refreshed" said NJ. Rayner.
II said nothing of the kind" replied
the witness. II am here To give nv
testimony and object To being spoken
to in the way you speak to me-
He also objected to Nj. Rayner's
shaking his finger at him, saying hc
construed it as menace.
Mr.. Rayner insisted that he meant to
be entirely respectful and not TO men
aoe the witness.