The age-herald., 1901-10-05

hits. MT. Rayner said the statement had been prepared by Admiral Schley. The witness also said he knew the Brooklyn had s-inch guns but MT. Rayner said the admirals computation was not in- tended to cover that feature.
 The Dear schIey" Letter.
 Cross-examined on the dispatch carried by the Iowa, Captain Rodgers was asked if the Dear Schley'' letter dated at Key West May 20, 1898, written by Admiral Sampson. in which the statement was made that "I am of the opinion that our best chance of success in capturing the enemy's ships will be to hold Cienfuegos and Havana," was included in these dis patches.
 The witness replied that he had no knowledge of what the envelope con- tained
 While the examination on this point was in progress MT. Rayner read the let ter, including the following extract:
 If later 1t should develop that these vessels are at Santiago we could then assemble off that port the ships best suited for the purpose and completely blockade 1t. Until we then receive more positive information we shall continue to hold Havana and Santiago"
 Wdnto 0dInpSOt
 MT Rayner remarked that he supposed 1t would be conceded that the word San tiago' as given above was a mistake, and that 1t should be "Cienfuegos."
 MT. Rayner continued:
 '1 cannot take that word Santiago to mean anything else. It is an imputation upon Commodore Schley, and l cannot permit that imputation to rest without summoning the author of that docu- ment."
 Judge Advocate Lemley: have told one you please.
 MT. Rayner: Well, then, summon Ad- miral Sampson.
 With this remark the colloquy in regard to Admiral Simpsons dispatch closed for the time.
 In reply to question by Mir. Rayner as to the condition of the weather from May "A to 26, Commander Rodgers replied: 'I do not recollect the events of the night of May 24. My recollection is that on the morning and throughout the day of the 18th the wind was fresh from 8 direction generally ahead. Our course was gener- ally southeastward. The sea depends en- tirely upon the size of the ship. It was what I would call moderate sea. I re- collect the wind continued fresh that evening Next morning we must have
  The weather had moderated considerably and on the late afternoon the weather was, I should say fine with a smooth sea-
 How were the sea and the weather for small ships like the Vixen and Eagle?'
 Weather Fresh for Small Ships.
 q should say on Thursday the weather for small ships would have been consid- cred fresh and certainly my recollection of seeing the Eagle on that day was that she was making what you might call heavy weather I should say on that occasion the sea was what one finds in that neighborhood when there is a fresh wind"
 The court asked number of questions of Captain Rodgers, among others being one as to whether the Brooklyn and the Texas had been in danger of collision on July B. The witness replied that If there had been any such danger he had not seen the two ships at the time. He had seen the two vessels early fin the engage ment, but they were then about a half milea part. Later he was called below and if there had been such danger 1t was at that time. He was on the bridge for the day of the battle of July 3. He related particulars of that engagement, telling how the Spaniards came out and were attacked by the American ships. He said that when Commodore Schley was told they were coming for us', he replied ''Then go for them" The helm was then put aport, and from that time went straight in toward the enemy. He next heard the commodore say: Look out. Cook, they are going to ram you"
 Said Damn the Texas."
 The captain replied he would look out for that. Then he heard the commander sing out hard aport," and Captain Cook replied the helm was aport The witness said if the ship went to starboard she would ram the Texas The commodore