Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-10-17

Asahhaso.
Washington, Dot. Cit is evidently
part of the programme of the Navy De-
partment to prove, IL possible, that
Admiral Schley's conduct in connection
with the Santiago campaign closely ap-
sproached cowardioe, at least while he
was on the Massachusetts during the
reconnaissance of the Colon on May 3lst,
land that his general bearing was that
OF nervous man, overwBighted with
responsibility, from which it might be
Inferred that he was untitled to com
mand the fleet
Until today the department has been
unable to bring out any testimony to
this effect except that of one young
officer, who testified that when he de
livered some dispatches to Admiral
Schley he walked up and down his
cabin, and on another occasion, when
another officer saw him, he was
{. sitting down. - Today lieutenant
Commander 4. M. Potts, who was
formerly navigator OF the Massachu-
sets, made some statements on the
stand calculated to be quite startling
regarding Admiral Schley's conduct at
Santiago on May 3lst, 1893, the day of
the reconnaissance Of the Colon. They
were, however, merely the witness per-
sonal opinions,
Admiral George Dewey, president of
the court, was evidently irritated, as
he had previously announced several
times that the court did not care for
opinions from junior officers critioising
their seniors.
Lieutenant. Commander Potts said
that on the day the reconnaissance took
face Admiral Schley was standing on
1.-THE forward 13-inch turret of the Mas
sachusetts, surrounded by his personal
staff, Capt. +. A. Higginson, in COM
mand of the Massachusetts, Lieutenant
Commander Schroeder and himself.
When about six miles from the Colon
thefAdmiral said "Gentlemen, we are
very conspicuous objects here In. white,
and think we had better get out of
it" Whersupon they retired and Ad-
miral Schley went to the coming
tower. Admiral Schley, according to
Lieutenant Commander Potts, did not
enter the coming tower, but stood on
platforG about it, shelterinR himself
= behind an iron shield designed to pro-
tect the entrance to the coming tower.
During the firing at the Colon
Admiral Schley, he said, kept himself
behind the shield or stood on the plat
form, ito the leeward'' of the coming
tower, meaning that admiral SchIey
kept the coming tower between him
self aud the enemy. Toward the end
OF the engagement, the witness testi-
fed, shot fell about 40 yards from the
Massachusetts. and Admiral Sohley said
10 Capt. HigEinson, who was in the
coming tower: Put your helm to star
board and get out of this.''
Admiral Schley bearing, - the wit
~ -. -. l.. Ez.ZI
adyocatesLemly, was that of a man
who was suffering under extreme mental
excitement, who had dsagreeable
duty to perform, performed it re-
luctantly and tried to get through with
it as soon us he could"
Lieutenant Commander Potts. testi-
mony is not sustained by that OF the
majority Of witnesses who have 30 far
2 appeared, conspiouously not by Cant.
Higginson, now admiral, who com
manded the Massachusetts, aud who
testified he was near Admiral Schley
most OF the time. When asked to de.
SCRIBE Admiral Schley's manner during
the engagement Capt. Higginson said
:. hardly know how to answer that
question, except to say that his man.
ner was that of commander In oh ef. y
As Cant. Higginson was in the con.
ming tower during the reconnaissance.
whatever reflection Lieutenant Com.
mander Potts statement may he con.
stFued to make on Admiral Schley apply
equally to his immediate senior officer,
Capt. Higginson. If Admiral Schley
did say that the officers were CON
spiouous In their white uniforms or
the top of the l3.inoh turret, it mus
have been true, and as all the prIroipa
officers OF the Massachusetts wer,
grouped with him one shell striking
among them would have deprived tn,
ship Of her principal officers and til,
squadron OF its commander.
1t is also quite possible that !
Admiral Scbley made the remarks at
tributsd to him he had the safety o
the others In mind quite MS much as o.
more than his own. AS it would no
have been etiquette for the junior Off
Z GERS to retire before he gave the word
1t was necessary for him to make tn
first move. The conduct of A,dnIra
Schley 10 battle during the Civil War
Is we'll MS in the battle OF Santiago
utterly refutes such puny attempts {,
prove that he acted like coward OIL
May 3lst, when the, danger of iniur.
from the enemy's shots was slight,
Lieutenant Commander Potts was th
most direct witness the prosecution ha
presented up to date. His statement
were clear, concise and were calculate,
to be as damaging as possible 4
Admiral Sohley. He stood Mr.. Rayner
cross examination without fiinchiuR
and at every opportunity Increased th
damaging effect of his testimony. Hi
statements we're quite as strong a
those of Lieut.. NJ. L.. Bristol AM
carried more weight, as he did no
have that over confident manner whic
distinguished Lieut. Bristol.
His evidence was to the effect tina
the blockade at Cieniuogos and San
tiago was not closely maintained; tina
the Massachusetts, could have coaled a
any time, taking on 40 tons an hour
that he remembered no rough weathe
until May 25th, when the sea wa
merely moderate; that the reconnoi:
sauoe developed the fact that the bal
teries about Santiago were very wea
and there was no danger to armoie
ships from their fire. He saw no hal
terias about Cienfuegos. He supporte
Lieut., Bristol in saying he had no cor
Y tdence 10 the accuracy Of the stad
meter above 1900 yards, but he state
that in his opinion 1t would be in
possible to make mistake OF 200
yards using the stadimeter on q dil
lance of $500 yards. unless the instrt
nent .as out OF adjustment.
Washington, Oct. 10. Tho Schle
Naval Court began business at ]
O'Clock today with the recall OF yeste