Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-10-05
TEXAS DIDN'T RUN AWAY
Evans Denies He Ever Accused
Capt. Philip Of Fleeing.
SCHLEY CAREFUL ABOUT FLEET
Notes Taken by Reporter on the Texas Dur
ing the Santiago fight-Deweys Sar-
castle Comment on Witness Capt.
Sigsbee on Stand.

Washington, Oct 2.-The Schley
court of inquiry made good Roadway
again yesterday, concluding with Ad-
miral Evans and hearing three new
witnesses, although the testimony OF
one of them was not concluded when
the court adjourned for the day. Ad'
miral Evans testimony was along the
same general lines as was his state
ment of the day before, but some OF
the points were presented in greater
detail in response to questions by MI
Rayner The new witnesses were
Captain Sigsbee, who commanded the
scout St. Paul during the Santiago
campaign; Mr.. Thomas M. Dieuade, a
newspaper correspondent, who was on
the Texas during the battle of July
8, and Chief Yeoman Gustave E. Beck
err. who was a clerk to Admiral Samp
son during the war.
At the inception of Admiral Evans
testimony Mr.. Rayner asked: did
you have a conversation with Com.
modore Schley on July A, some time
during the morning between and IL
O'Clock, on his flagship at Santiago,
in the course of which you used Ian
guage as follows: Did you know that
Jack Philip started to run away at the
beginning of the battle?' and to which
Commodore Schley replied: You are
mistaken about that, Evans; | saw
nothing of the kind. The Brooklyn
made turn, and you must see the
tactical situation that made it neces-
sary?'"
II do not remember being on board
the Brooklyn on the Fourth of July.
/ think it was the 5th, at Guantanamo.
/ am quite positive | was not on board
the Brooklyn off Santiago but once.
and that was long time before that.
AS to that conversation, ! never said
anything to the effect that Captain
Philip had run away or attempted to
run away On thinking over last
night, what did occur with reference
to the Texas, think Commodore
Schley and | discussed the position
| of the Texas when the fight began.
1.-THE Texas was lying with her head
7 to the east when the engagement be-
| gan, and she turned with starboard
helm and headed off in the same direc-
ton as the rest of US. She fired first
with her port battery, and then put
her helm to starboard and headed in
the same direction with the rest Of the
ships I think that was the question |
discussed with Commodore Schley.
| cannot be sure of it, but that | ever
intimatod tt1t Captain Philip attempt
ed to RIM away with the Texas is pre-
pos ercus On the face of it.
"1id yen aye a conversation with
him or - same day. at the same
place, hn5 ., the same hour, or at
any o. he's pace in which you used
subs ~ .ay Ihe following language:
81 saof the bow eff the Pluton, the
stern c.. lie Furore put my helm to
starbca1a and raked the Teresa and
knocked out the Niscaya.
ITO tie hest of my knowledge and
belief never used such language"
Conference About the Colon.
"Were not the commanding officers
called ON board the flagship Brooklyn
by signal on the morning of May 20
bitter the Colon was discovered"
"There were"
"Can you tell me or do you recol-
ect what took place at the conference
)f the commanding officers. at that
ime?"
Commodore Schley was in the cabin
II the Brooklyn when we assembled,
nd there was a general talk about the
spanish fleet having been located at
asst at Santiago. | remember having a
conversation with Commodore Schley
bout the effect of the fighting batter
es on the ships, in which l told him
t the experience we had had at San
uan, and expressed the opinion to him
hat it was not worth while to risk
hips fighting shore batteries alone;
hat did not think anything would be
aimed by it.
I'm the case under consideration the
panish ships were pc ent in the har-
br. The conditions we're changed, and
lie would have to tale the risk OF the
Y from batteries III order to get at
m l remember Commodore Schley
arking before we left that he felt
the country held him responsible;
TT the ships should not be risked
der the fire of the shore batteries
It'll the Spanish feet was destroyed"
MIR. Dieuade, the newspaper man
ls then called to the stand He said
hen he first noticed the Brooklyn she
going seward.
NWas she headed towards the
gxas?"
she was on a course about right
giles to us at that moment"