The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-14
COOK CONFESSES.
Captain of the Brooklyn Goes on
the Stand.
SAYS He is the Man Who Ordered
Famous Loop.
Tie WAS ON EACH LIST.
Government Expects to Finish
It's Case During the Day.
A Number of SchIey's Witnesses
Already on Hand.


Schley court of inquiry took a recess for
lunch today Mr.. Hanna asked Captain
Cook, who was on the stand: What
was the conduct and bearing of Commo-
dore Schley under fire on such occasion
as you had rhe opportunity of observ-
ing?''
Il always regarded him as an enthusi-
astically brave and patriotic officer;
never in any other way" replied the
witness.
Captain Cook also testified that he
(Cook) gave the order for the Brook
lyn's loop at the battle off Santiago and
that he considered the movement emin-
emily successful.
Washington, Oct. 14.-Captain Francis
A. Cook was the first new witness called
before the Schley court of inquiry today.
He was called by the navy department,
but as he also is on Admiral Schley's
list of witnesses. he was considered like
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson and
Lieutenant Doyle, as a witness for both
sides of the controversy During the
war with Spain Captain Cook was COM
mander of the flagship Brooklyn and
also Admiral Schley's chief of staff, thus
occupying the same relative position to
Admiral Schley that Captain Chadwick
occupied to Admiral Sampson. His ap-
pearance on the stand therefore created
considerable interest and his testimony
was listened to attentively.
Other witnesses summoned by the de-
partment for the day were Lieutenant
Commander VIM NJ. Fullam who was
on the New Orleans during the Santi-
ago campaign and Lieutenant Joseph
Beale, who was on the scout ship Har-
ward and who volunteered TO go ashore
and ascertain whether tba SnaniSh fapf
under Cervera was in the harbor of
Santiago. These are the last witnesses
which the judge advocate expects to
call for the present and when they shall
have completed their testimony he will
rest.
A number of Admiral Schley's wit
nesses were in attendance about the
court room today. 1t is expected that
his first witness will be the Cuban pilot,
Edward Nunez, and that he will be fol-
lowed by Commander Mason.
CAPTAIN COOK CALLED.
After previous witnesses had cor
rected their testimony Captain Cook
was called He was questioned by Mr..
Hanna, and responded in clear and dis
tinct. tones. He said he had been at
Key West on May 10.
What information did you have at
that time concerning the whereabouts
of Cervera'S feet?'' asked Mr. Hanna
My impressions now are simply
from rumor that they had been sighted
at Martinique and from consular lnfor-
nation or perhaps information sent by
the Harvard, that they had gone to
Curacao That is all from impress
sion.
Giving the reasons for the departure
of the Flying Squadron for Cienfuegos
Captain Cook said the squadron had
been sent to that port to intercept and
meet the Spanish squadron it having
been determined, as we believed at that
time, by them to make Cienfuegos their
objective
that the Spanish fleet carried munitions
of war for Havana and it was believed
that they would go to Cienfuegos, be-
cause of its accessibility to Havana.
Captain Cook detailed a conversation
between Commodore Schley and Cap
tain Chester while the squadron was en-
route TO Cienfuegos- He said there had
been talk between them about coalins-
on the southern coast of Cuba
The only thing I recollect'' he said,
was that Commodore Sehley question
ed Captain Chester very closely as to
the facilities for eoaling ships on the
south side of Cuba"
DO you know what information was
received?'
Il think they consulted a chart at
that time. and something was said
about Cape Cruz. 1 recollect afterward
looking at the chart there and it did
not seem to be a favorable place [
know the subject of coaling was early
considered even before leaving Key
West"
Admiral Dewey: WAS your answer
that Cape Cruz did or did not look like
a favorable place. I did not o1Iite mn
derstand that
7 said recollect very well my i'm
pressions at that time were that Cape
Cruz did not seem favorable place for
coaling ships from GOLFERS"
Mr. Hanna: Perhaps the court
would like to hear why you thought So
Il could not well see how the larger
ships could get far enough in there so
that the colliers would be smooth
enough to go alongside and coal ships
THOUGHT CERVERA WAS THERE
Captain Cook said that upon arriving
off Cienfuegos on the morning of Nav
%. blockade was Immediately estab-
EShed as the firing of guns was heard
and ii was believed that Cervera had
arrived and a fete in honor of his an
pearance was on Earth works on the
shore also were seen but they were NOT
fired upon because ii was considered de-
sirable not to unnecessarily expend
ammunition.
Il think between that time and the
arrival of the Adula. it was presumed
that the whole beach was occupied" he
said I'VE saw cavalry and others on
the beach The possibility of boat
landing was talked Of The idea was
that we would have to go in pretty
we'll to the westward and at night
may have had some converse tfon with
the commodore about it. but I do not
recollect. On the arrival of the Ad11Ia
we fully expected to get all informa-
tion-''
Did you see any signal lights on
shore while you We're there?
yes. the first thing after we arrived.
on May 22'
Replying to questions concerning tba
blockade Of Santiago Captain Cook
said that Commodore Schley's constant
CContinued on Sixth Page.)