The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-09-26
All Save Members Of the Court
Of Inquiry and Witnesses
Were Barred.
ADM. DEWEY WAS PROMPTLY on TIME
Four Witnesses Were Examined, Capt.
Higginson, of the Massachu.
setts, Being the First.
All Irrelevant Questions ana Hear
say Evidence Will De Cut Out
This VIII shorten the
Term of the Court.

Washington, Sept. 21.-The Schley
court of inquiry reconvened, and be-
fore adjournment examined four wit
nesses.
Marines were on guard at the rail-
ing, and before the court opened,
barred out all save members OF the
court and witnesses. Later Judge
advocate General Lemly arranged to
allow members of the press associa-
tions within the railing.
The most important incident of the
day was the decision of the court
withdrawing question, put by the
court itself. asking witness to give
his opinion concerning point under
controversy. The witness was RI.
\dm. Higgipson, who participated in
;he Santiago campaign as captain OF
the battleship Massachusetts.
II is generally admitted that this
decision will have the effect of ma
teriallly shortening the term of the
court, as will also the courts mani
fest intention to cut out irrelevant
questions and all hearsny testimony.
In several cases the witnesses were
admonished to relate only events
coming within their own observe ton.
Adm. Dewey showed himself n prompt
and methodical presiding officer. Hc
called the court to order exactly
ut the designated hour, and adjourned
IL just as promptly at 4 o'clock.
The witnesses Friday were Rr. Adm.
o,,IA tA bnt
tIeship Massachusetts during the
Spanish war; Capt. c. M. Chester. who
commanded the cruiser Cincinnati:
Maj. Thomas n. Wood, of the marine
corps, who commanded the mariles
on the Massachusetts, and Comman-
der Giles Il. Herber, who was execu-
tive officer of the Texas, the latter
being on the stand when the court
adjourned. The attendance of the
public was small.
Capt. Lemly introduced as evidence
copy of the senate document re-
lating TO the Sampson-Schley contro-
versy, together with photographic
Office charts showing the scenes of the
campaign.
"Now I will Offer" said Capt. Lem
ly, "a chart showing the positions
of the vessels off Santiago"
Il object spoke up Capt. Parker,
of Schley's counsel, quickly. "The
chart IS grossly incorrect. II places
the coast line six miles further south
and four miles further west than
it is ip fact"
"The chart does not prove any
thing" explained Capt. Lenly. "Is
is not put as evidence, but for ref
erence."
Capt. Lemly, the judge advocate
general. then read the order of the
navy department, appointing Adm.
Ramsay to be a member OF the court.
81 ask you, Adm. Schley, If you
have any objection to any member of
this court" said Capt. Lemly.
81 have not" replied Adm. Schley.
Capt. Lemly then swore in the men,
bers of the court, the three bending
forward, and each grasping d small
Bible.
Capt. Lemly was himself sworn in
by Adm. Dewey, and in turn admin.
istered the oath to the clerk and re-
porter of the court.
Washington, Sept. 23.-The testi-
mony at Saturdays session of the
Schley court of inquiry WAS unfavor.
able to the admiral.
Capt. Harber repeated his state.
nents that the sea was not too rough
To coal of Santiago, and declared the
only signals observed off Cienfuegos
before proceeding to Santiago were
he thought, between the Spanish
forces.
~ 'nander Schroeder, who wat
executive officer of the battleshiE
Massachusetts, at that time, corrob.
GRATED most of Capt. Harber's testi
mony. He declared that during the
bombardment of the Colon the Amer
clan ships might have gone in closer
He also testified that Adm. Schley
at that time, had given orders t.
get away, saying, Lets get out Of
this"