The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-01
That Number Present at the
Schley Court of Inquiry.
Lemly Withdraws Owing to
Death of His Sister.
REMEMBER THE MAINE
Much Interest Attaches to the
Appearance of Sigsbee.
"Fighting Bob" Evans Contin-
ues to Give Testimony.

Washington, Oct. 1.-There We're five
admirals of the United States navy
congregated today within the railing
of the gunner's shop in the navy yard,
where the Schley court of inquiry
meets. Admiral Dewey and his associ-
ates, Admirals Benham and Ramsay,
occupied their usual seats as members
of the court and Rear Admiral Schley
in mis- customary place at the table set
apart for 1.-The applicant in the wit
ness stand. Rear Admiral Evans, who
had been called yesterday still occupied
his position, and continued to tell his
story of the part taken by MIN, as cap
tain of the Iowa, during the historic
period of the Santiago campaign.
He had completed his testimony in
chief. when the court adjourned yester-
day and had also been questioned at
some length by Mr.. Rayner by cross
examination, but he was recalled for
the purpose of allowing Mr.. Rayner
time to consult with Admiral SchIey
and prepare certain formal questions,
bearing upon special features of the
campaign, which the attorney had
stated, would require more than or
binary time, and research in their pre-
paration. These questions were put to
the admiral in order today and the re-
SponseS to them naturally ELECTED other
inquiries.
The proceedings of the day began as
usual with the recall of former Witness
eS, who had completed their testimony
for the purpose of making such verbal
corrections in it as they might desire.
The day was begun with the intention
of bringing on Captain Sigsbee, who
commanded the scout ST. Paul during
the war with Spain. There was un-
usual interest manifested in Captain
Sigsbee's probable appearance, not SO
hi i.1iv in
the war itself, as because of his con-
nection with the Inflated Maine. whose
destruction in the harbor at Havana
had so important an influence in caus-
ing the war. Captain Lemly also an
nounced his intention of calling during
the day, Yeoman Becker, who occupied
a clerical position on Admiral Samp-
sons flagship, the New York, during
the war. He was summoned with a view
of throwing light upon some of the dis
patches sent from that vessel
A considerable improvement was
made in the court room today in the
laying of stretches of mating along
the most frequented paths of travel in
that apartment. These walks had the
effect of breaking the sound of foot
steps and proved a material improve
ment in their quieting effect.
General sympathy was expressed on
the part of the members Of the court
and those in attendance with Judge
Advocate Lemly, because of the death
of his sister, which occurred yesterday
court convened but Immediately with
drew. Captain Miller, who commanded
the collier Merrimac before she was
sunk by Lieutenant HObsOn was called
for the purpose of correcting the official
record of his testimony given yester-
day.
ADMIRAL EVANS RECALLED.
Admiral Evans was then recalled. Mr..
Rayner began his interrogations by
asking the witness concerning the Sc
cret code of signals for communicating
with the Cuban Insurgents near Glen
fuegos. The admiral said that when
Capt Chadwick communicated this
code to him, he did not instruct him to
give the information to Commodore
Schley. Mr.. Rayner then questioned the
witness especially as to his interviews
with Commodore Sehley, after the bat
tie of Santiago.
speaking of a conversation which L
thought you had at Guantanamo, on
July 5th. I find have made mistake
about that, and 1t is necessary for me
to repeat my question. 1 suppose you
will answer in the same way He then
asked: did you have a conversation
with Commodore Schley on July 4th,
some time during the morning between
and II o'clock on his flagship at San
tiago in the course of which you used
language as follows: Did you know
that Jack Philip started to run away at
the beginning of the battles? and to
which Commodore Schley replied: You
are mistaken about that, Evans; 1 saw
nothing of the kind. The Brooklyn
made a turn and you must see the tao
ticaI situation that made it necessary
Il do not remen ber being on board
the Brooklyn on the Fourth of July.
think it was the 5th at Guatanamo. l
am quite positive I was not on board
the Brooklyn, off Santiago, but once
and that was a long time before that.
As to the conversation, I never sali
anything to the effect that Capt. Philip
had run away, or attempted to run
away On thinking over last night
what did occur with reference to the
Texas, L think Commodore Schley and
1 discussed the position of the Texas
when the fight began. The Texas was
living with her head to the east when
the engagement began and she turned
with starboard helm, and headed off 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. I think that was the
question I discussed with Commodore
Schley I cannot be sure of it. but that
1 ever intimated that Capt Philip at
tempted to run away with the Texas, is
preposterous on the face of it"
Did you have a conversation with
him on the same day at the same place
and at the same hour, or at any other
place in which you used substantially
off the Pluton, the stern off the F'uror.
put my helm to starboard and raked
the Teresa and knocked out the Wis
caya-
"To the best of my knowledge and
belief, I never used such language"
CONFERENCE ON THE BROOKLYN
were not the commanding officers