The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-09-21

washington, sept. ZQ.-Ihe Schlel
court of inquiry recOnvened today, and
before It adjourned examined four wit
nessss. The most important incident
o. the day was the decision of the court
Withdrawing a question put by the
court itself. asking d witness 10 give
his opinion concerning q point under
controversy.
The witness was Rear Admiral Eiig-
glnson. who participated In the san
tiagO campaign as captain Of the pat
IieShip Massachusetts. This vessel at
one time was a part OF the hyinS
squadron commanded by Commodore
Schley, and the court asked him TO
state whether all possible measures
were taken 10 capture or destroy the
Spanish vessel Christobal Colon. as IL
lay in Santiago harbor from May = 70
June J. Admiral HigginsOn replied III
the negative Counsel for Admiral
Schley objected to the question. on
the ground that a reply would involve
an opinion. and not statement OF
facts Judge Advocate Lemly ad-
mittsl that the presidents were
against questions of this character,
and the court withdrew this interroga-
tory 1t is generally admitted that
this decision viii have the effect of
materially shortening the term of the
court, as will also the courts inten-
ton to cut out irrelevant questions
and all hearsay testimony In several
Eases LlC w Illnesses WGAt e0AAAoAAAlAA~N-
to relate only events coming within
their own observation.
Admiral Dewey showed himself a
prompt and methodical presiding Of
ficer. He called the court to order ex-
actly at the designated hour. and aG-
journed it just as promptly at
o'clock
The witnesses today were Rear Ad-
miral Higginson. who commanded the
battleship Massachusetts, during the
n 81 IN in II tor
who commanded the cruiser Cincin-
natl; Major Thomas y. Wood Of the
marine corps, who commanded the ma
rlnes on the asSachusetts, and Cap
tain G. 3. Harder. who was executive
officer of the Texas, the latter being
on the stand when the court adjourned.
The attendance of the public sWas
small.
Mrs Dewey accompanied her hus-
band to court. She remained however
but a short time. When Admiral Schley
entered there was a clapping of hands
among the spectators. The admiral
stopped the applause, however. by
wave OF the hand. As on the first dav
was small.
Dewey Opens Court.
The court was called to order by a
simple word from Admiral Dewey The
first order of business was reading by
Judge Advocate Lemly Of the order
VI A-AC nav department appointing
Rear Admiral Ramsay to a place on
the court in place of Rear Admiral
HoWlson, and when this was accom-
plished. Captain Lemly turned to Ad-
mlral Sehley and asked him. as he did
when Admiral HOWisOn was challenged
whether he had objection to urge
against any member of the court The
ADMIRAL arose as this question Wa
asked, and replied; 4 have not
me Judge advocate then swore the
nj 10 Hot
then in turn was sworn as Judge a.
vocate
The court then retired for the pur
pose OF discussing the methods of pro-
cedure. Before the withdrawal a let
ter from Admiral Schley to the navy
department requesting to be supplied
with all papers bearing upon the case.
and the departments reply granting
the request. was read.
AT l1:Z5 the court returned from its
consultation Judge Advocate Lemly.
addressing Admiral Schley as the an
pilcant asked if he had any sugges-
uons to make as 10 the method of pro
ceedlng, whether he had something to
oHer' or desired tAat he LemIy) pro-
ceeu The admiral responded with q
nod Of the head and move of the
hand. Go ahead
Higginson is Sworn.
Admiral Francis J. Higginson com
mander- in-chief of the North Atlantic
squadron, was the first witness called
lie SAID that he had, as captain. com
manded the battleship Massachusetts
during the Spanish war. and thar for
q part of the time the Massa chfIsettS
mad been a part of the flying souad-
ron of which Admiral Schiev had
peen IN command He told of joinin..
tue meet at Newport News; of going 10
hey west, and then, on the 22d of
NAY OF going to CienfuegOs. Cuba.
Key West had been left on Nav 10
dSyS' and Cienfuegos reached on the
What was then done to secure com
munlcauon with the Cuban forces. ON
SHORE :? Captain Lemly asked
Nothing. TO my KNOWLEDGE the Wit
ness IepiIed aid not see that any
thlng was done. but I understood that
lilioi ma Iloh concerning the Cubans was
received through Captain McCalla.~
Admiral Higginson. in resDonsa 70
questions, said that this was later. He
also told IN reply to questions. of the
presence OF the collier Merrimac. ans
OF the departure from Cfenfuegos ans
the arrival at Santiago on the evening
Of the 26th. In reply to cuesffons hs
sald that the Massachusetts had at
tLdL tlIne taken on about thirteen tons
or coal but that as the weather was
neaNy this was done with difficulty.
RMS witness also told OF the fleets
leaving Santiago for Key West on the
night of its arrival at the former place
and how, after steaming westward for
some time. the vessels, in response to
Commodore Schley's signals. all re-
turned and steamed to within two or
three miles of the mouth OF the har-
Dor
What happened TO cause the de-
cislon to return to Key West2'f
~ don't know"
" hat was the condition of the wea-
Their at that time for coaIing at sea -
think"
Did YOU have any conference win
the commanding officer in regard 10
returning 80 Santiago after Won nan
gotten on the way 70 Key XVests''
None; we acted under general or
ce 81 we go was 10 faI,o,- -
signals of the lagshiD-the signals of
the chief
Colon is Deserted.
Speaking of the conditions when
Santiago harbor was again reached. the
admiral said he could see well into the
harbor. and that he saw the Spanish
ship Colon lying in the outward harbor.
He did not remember seeing other YES
H. ,.rr 11af fn1n lno