Evening star., 1901-10-17

movements of Admiral SIMPSONS fagshfp.
the New York, on July 3, the day of the
battle off Santiago, and especially to the
signals of that day directing the fleet 10
disregard the fiagship's movements 1t Is
stun the intention to present other ques-
tionS involving Admiral Sarnpson's reia-
tion to the inquiry before the close of the
case. IL seems probable that their pre-
sentation will be deferred until a time
shortly before the beginning of Admiral
Schley's testimony
The first of yesterdays witnesses called
for the correction of testimony was Conn
mander Mason, and after him came in suc-
cesslon Lieut.. Commander Sears, Lieut.. Nc
Cauley and Lieut.. Webster.
Lieut.. Webster Questioned
A number Of additional questions were ad-
dressed to Lieut.. Webster by Mr. Hanna.
Replying, the witness said that he had seen
signal lights at night on the shore while
lying off Santiago.
In connection with the question of the
distance off shore at Santiago, Mr. Hanna
asked: While the vessels were on blockade
at Santiago from May - to the 31st in-
elusive, were you able during the night TO
distinguish points fnshore readily while you
were on watch?' The witness replied In the
negative.
Gould you make out Aguadores and Ca
banas?"
Il was not familiar with the coast at that
time and would not have known those
points under any circumstances, but it was
IL.
What was the background"
1.-The high hills back of Santiago did give
us good points later, when We were familiar
with them We could see them quite read
ily."
Gould you discover. the shore line at
night?"
mot the line of breakers, II there were
any,"
Gould you see the vessels on the inner
picket line at night%'
Not without the aid OF searchlights."
On redirect examination Mr.. Rayner
asked Lieut.. Webster concerning the bear
ing Of the Iowa and the Texas on the morn
ing of July 3, the beginning of the battle.
The witness said they bore abaft the star
board beam of the Brooklyn, the Texas be-
ing to the right of the Iowa. The Brooklyn
was headed, he said, north or north-north-
west.
In reply to another question by Mr.. Ray
ner, he stated that after the surrender OF
the Colon July 3 he had gone to the FORE
castle to look for other ships. He had only
seen the Oregon and the Texas. The smoke
of other vessels was visible, but not the ves-
sells themselves.
Lieut.. Com. Griffin Called.
When Lieut.. Webster was excused Lieut..
Commander Griffin was called. He gave
details of the Cienfuegos campaign. saying
that the distance of the blockading line
there varied from three to seven miles, be-
ing farther out at night.
Speaking of the voyage from Cienfuegos
to Santiago, the witness said the weather
was "heavy" and that there was "a short,
choppy sea-" He also said that the heavy
sea had impeded the feet by delaying the
smaller vessels, especially the Eagle.
The Eagle Sent Away.
Asked by Mr.. Rayner concerning con-
versation between Commodore Schley and
the commander of the Eagle, the witness
said II was present when the CONVERSE
ton took place, although I cannot give the
exact words. When the Eagle came up
astern of the Brooklyn the commodore
hailed the commanding officer of that ves-
sci and told him in substance that he could
not delay the squadron any longer on his
account. and that he wanted him to pro-
ceed to Jamaica for coal. The command
ing officer of the Eagle seemed very de-
sirous of remaining with the squadron and
expressed sincere regrets at being obliged
TO part company with the flying squadron"
What kind of weather was the Eagle
making on May &c when that conversation
took placer
las I expressed 1t, heavy weather-a
short. choppy sea, and the Eagle and Vixen
were both pitching considerably"
did you hear the commanding officer or
the Eagle talk to the commodore about
coal on that occasion?"
IT do not remember"
You heard the whole conversatione"
II did. but do not remember that b