The Washington times., 1901-10-04

against IL II WAS
mitted. Captain Parker, in a spirited re-
ply. said that was just what was wanted.
He wanted the whole truth about every
thing and the searchlight turned upon
every man from the chief
down to the cabin boy. The question was
ruled to be admissible and Sampson re-
ceived a body blow. Lieutenant Doyle
said the smoke had been seen and he be-
lieved that the information had been i'm
parted to Sampson.
Capt. William C. Dawson. United States
Marine Corps, who was aboard the Indi
ana during the engagement. also testified
yesterday. He SAID among other things,
that, so far as he knew, the Brooklyn
had given the feet 10 signals during the
battle, thus contradicting Lieutenant
Doyle in this respect. He stood on tie
bridge with Captain Taylor.
Captain Dawson showed n remarkable
ability for describing the movements of
the ships, defining their positions and es-
timating distances, until his cross-exam-
ination was begun. Then his measure
ments Tapped over and fell short at diff
ferent times For instance, his esti-
mates at different times showed the In
diana under the highest speed she could
make in starting up Immediately after the
Spanish ships came out, TO have advanced
but a half mile. Mr.. Rayner brought
this out, and the witness fell back to his
recollection, which he said might not be
quite correct.
The attendance yesterday was as large
as usual. Indicating that interest in the
proceedings has not abated. When the
session opened in the morning the official
stenographers were by misunder9fand-
ing among themselves, all absent, and
Lieut.. John w. Crawford, secretary to
Admiral Dewey, was sworn and made the
official report of the first half hour of the
hearing.
Cervera's Whereabouts Unknown.
Capt. Charles d. Sigsbee, recalled to
certify to the correctness of the official
report of his testimony, said he desired
to have it inserted that up to May 2s,
when the Spanish cruiser Colon was seen
at the mouth of the harbor, he knew
nothing positive of the location of Ger
vera's feet. He said he made this state
ment because he had found a letter writ
ten home on May g. saying that nothing
positive as to Cervera's whereabouts was
known then.
Under the agreement reached Nednes-
day, Lieut.. James q. Doyle, one of the
Brooklyns officers, who had been called
as a witness for the judge advocate, was
placed on the stand as 4 witness for Ad-
miral Schley. The very first question
asked him by Mr.. Rayner was objected
TO by Judge Advocate Lemiy. Mr. Ray
ner asked him if any bombardments Of
the shore batteries at Santiago had taken
place in June CWhen Sampson was in sI-
preme command), ard the witness said
there were two Captain Lemly main |
tanned that this was contrary to the |
courts ruling Of Wednesday, that 'all |
questions relative to the blockade off San /
tiago must be confined to the time prior
to the arrival of the commander-in-chief /
CSampson).
The Court withdrew to consider the OBJ
lection, and when it returned and before |
1t had the opportunity of making any
announcement Mr. Bayner said he would
modify his question so as to make it read:
What do you know, from your own /
observation, in regard to the strength /
of the shore batteries and guns at San |
tiago? l want the results from your OBJ |
servation acquired by you at any time. /
without going into any general or specific 4
details as 10 the bombardment.''
The first bombardment that observed |
was the Socapa battery, which We en-
gagged" said the witness. They replied |
to our FIRE very spiritedly at first; but /
they soon went out of business; that is, |
they stopped firing. After that time it |
was matter Of trying to knock the guns
off their mounts if possible
After whispering together with his col |
leagues. Admiral Dewey stated that the |
Court had no objection to another ques-
ton of Mr.. Rayner as to the second |
borlbardment OF the shore batteries after /
arrived, and the witness said 1
that the Spanish gunners did not remain |
at the guns so long as before.
What was Commodore Schley's con-
duct and bearing while his vessels were !
under fire in these bombardments and on
July 80"
Il did not have an opportunity of OBJ
serving him, as the commodore was al
But previous to and after the battle /
did have an opportunity"
What was it2'
HE always struck me as being as self
possessed as anybody could be under the
Smoke in the Harbor.
The witness said in answer to another
question that on July he had seen sew
eral columns of smoke coming up from
behind the Socapa hill. Then Mr. Rayner
asked the witness the same question as
was asked Lieutenant Commander Sharp |
Wednesday, if Schley had not notified
Sampson either on July l or that he sus-
pected that the Spanish feet was pre-
pairing to come out and If Sampson had
not notified the captains of the American
ships to be on their guard.
Captain LemIy asked Mr.. Rayner the
object OF that question, and Mr.. Rayner
said his object was TO prove that this in
formation was communicated to the fleet
at D. m on July 2: that during the same
night fires were seen on hills to west
ward of the Cubanas inlet, and that we
all thought the Spanish troops were with
drawing"
Captain Lemly entered a vigorous OBJ
lection, holding that Mr.. Rsyner's state
inent was made for the purpose Of put
ing on record just what could not be
legitirnately shown by the witness. 1t
wont influence the Court he said, but
It goes upon the record"
Captain Parker, Of Admiral Schley's
counsel. said that his side was willing /
to open the door wide to get al the whole
truth and let everybody that had any /
thing to do with the Santiago campaign !
come under the light. After more dis
cussion the question was accepted in this
form:
Was the smoke observed on July . by
Schley. and was the fact com
nunicated to the squadron
Smoke was observed on July O. said
The witness, land my impression is now,
l do not recollect it distinctly.
hat the information was conveyed TO the |
ISampSOnl.'
To another question he said that fires
were observed to the westward of Santi-
4 pITTWp FIETTRE