The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-20
Rear Admiral First Witness 10 Be Ex-
amined by the Court Of Inquiry
at Washington.

Washington, Sept. 2o.-After an inter
mission OF eight days the schley naval
court OF inquiry resumed its sittings at
II o'clock today IN the tool shop at the
navy yard. Rear Admiral Ramsey occu-
pied the seat which on the first day of
the session was filed by Rear Admiral
Howison.
The court was called 10 order by a
simple word from Admiral Dewey. The
first order OF business was the reading
by Judge Advocate Lemly of the order
OF the navy department appointing Rear
Admiral Ramsey TO a place on the court
IN place OF Rear Admiral Howlson and
when this was accomplished, Capt. l.emly
turned 10 Admiral Schley and asked him
whether be had objection TO urge against
any number OF the court. The admiral
arose and replied; Il have not
The Judge advocate then swore the
members or the court collectively and was
in turn sworn in as Judge advocate The
court then retired for consultation.
The Withdrawal was for the purpose OF
discussing the methods of proceed
ure. Before the withdrawal let
ter from Admiral Schley 10 the
navy department requesting 60 be sup
piled with all papers bearing upon the
case and the department reply granting
the request was read
Al Les the court reentered. The Judge
advocate asked Admiral Schley " he had
any suggestions TO offer or desired that
he d.emly) proceed The admiral respond
cd with nod and a wave OF the hand,
go ahead"
MIR. Lemly then presented the report OF
the bureau OF navigation for 1898. a hydro
graphic chart OF the West Indies and ad-
jacent seas and other charts. lie stated
explicitly that they were introduced not
as tessmnny but az books OF reference
"Wili they preclude the introduction
Of original docNmentsg' Judge Wilson
asked
Not az all," was the reply. "On the
contrary. we shall desire TO introduce
the original documents when opportunity
effers"
hydrographic chart when IL was pre-
sented
1T is grossly Incorrect" he said "As
matter nf fact the coast lire or cuba
Is six miles further south and four miles
further west than ~ should be"
He, however. withdrew HIS objection.
when assured that the chart was not 20
be used as evidence
THE FIRsr WITNESS.
Admiral Hisginson was the frt witness
called. lie gave his f,iIl name as Fran.
els Higoinson. rank as that 0f rear ad.
miral said he II now in command OF IN,
North Atlantic squadron, that he had. "a,
captain. commanded the battleship Mas
sachuseiis during the Spanish war ant
that FOR part OF this time the Nlassachu
setts had been part of the flying squad
ron % which admiral Schey had been N
command. Be told ~ Joining tho Zee
~ Newport News. of going 10 Kcv Yves
and then on the 22nd Of Nav o. going I.
cienfueRocs. Cuba Key West had bee,
left on May 10 1895 and Cicnfuegos reach
ed on the 22d
What was then done 70 secure com
nunication with Cuban forces on shore
Csrtain fernly asked
Nothing 20 my knowledge" =" The wit
ress replied u MA not sec that anvthlnt
was done bat understood that inform
alton concerning the Cuhans was receive,
through Captain McCalia
Cart Higginsor said IN response n
questions that fhis was later
He aiso told. IN reply "a questions. n
the presence ~ the collier Merrirnar aul
- The departure from Cierfueaos and f1.
arrival at santaKo on he evening m III,
18th The Massachusetts had af that tim.
taken ~ about 40 tons ~ coal bur Il.
the weather was rough this ives don,
with difficulty
HE DIDN'T KNOW.
The witres also told Of the fsts leavirs