New-York tribune., 1901-10-29
SCHLEY UNDER FIRE.
SHARPLY CROSS-EXAMINED
BY CAPTAIN LEMLY.
THE ADMIRAL STANDS THE ORDEAL
wELL-IMPoRTANT POINTS BROUGHT
OUT BY THE JUDGE ADVOCATE.
IsE TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE

Washington Oct 2s-Rear Admiral Schley
was under cross-examination nearly four hours
to-day He was piled with carefully prepared
questions designed 10 bring out every detail OF
his conduct throughout his independent COM
mand IN the Santiago campaign, and although
the proceedings did not appeal to the audience
as very entertaining or even as pertinent Tor the
most part the sessions this morning and AFTER
noon were regarded by the court and counsel
as the most important that have been held. The
questions put by the Judge Advocate covered
nineteen closely typewriter pages and it is
understood that as many more win be asked to-
morrow The examination was altogether more
skilful than was 20 have been expected from the
earlier proceedings and showed that the Judge
Advocate enjoys more capable assistance thah
has been generally known. The line Of inquiry
pursued was closely followed by the members
OF the court and throughout the day, which was
q trying one 10 the applicant, they manifested
the Iiveliesi interest II was too technical and
Cry for the public, however. and the room, which
was overcrowded in the morning, was compara-
lively empty IN the afternoon.
The questions propounded were sharply spe-
cihc and confined 10 precise facts. as con-
trasted with the rather general line Of eNamina-
sion pursued by both sides before to-day. and
were calculated seriously to affect many of the
comprehensive and sweeping statements which
have appeared in evidence. Admiral Schley, for
the most part met the severity OF the eNamina-
zion with great credit, exhibiting remarkably
clear memory. and even when his veracity
rather than his recollection was sharply brought
snto doubt he preserved calm. unruffied de-
rneanor and digniied bearing. But many OF
his statements in official reports and In testi-
mony were apparently inconclusive or grounded
on scarcely verified information. and. although
these had little or no effect on the matters COW
sred by the precept. they were disconcerting
Among the points Of this character were those
snvolving the strict letter Of the regulations re-
Earding battle plans and confidential instruc-
sions or secret orders, In relation 10 precise
obedience TO certain clauses OF Sampson's Or
ders without regard 20 modifying conditions or
alternatives dependent upon various matters
such as going 10 Santiago providing the Span
sards were not found at Cienfuegos. and, finally
about the dates given In Schley's letter 10 the
Senate. which had been hurriedly written With
out recourse 10 documents.
The tedium Of to-day's proceedings was twice
relieved by sharp passages between counsel
leading 20 decisions by the court against the
rontentions OF Schley's counsel, and In accord
with the first specification OF the precept ex-
tending the inquiry 20 the Admiral's conduct
throughout the period OF his independent com
mand and limiting IL 10 his conduct alone. To-
days cross-examination covered affairs up 20
the retrograde movement, involving only the
first three points Of the precept the remaining
seven being left for other sessions.
In the fifteen minutes before he was turned
over TO the Judge Advocate this morning Ad-
miral Schley told of Captain Evans's boasts. de-
MED that the Brooklyn ran away at the be-
ginning of the battle, and gave the court figures
showing the hits given and received by the
Brooklyn