The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-07

we'll be chart of the battle of Their
mopyiae or the field of Waterloo. AS a
disastrous failure the chart is magnif-
cent success
In his evidence, said Mr.. Rayner Lieu
nt-Commander Heilner said the
Brooklyn passed across the bows of the
Texas less than $50 yards away, while on
1.-The chart which he helped prepare, the
distance between the two ships is given
as 2,400 feet Whether the engines of the
, Texas were stopped or backed, Mr.. Ray
ner said, mattered little. This whole con-
troversy about the loop seemed to have
been started to prove that the Brooklyn
ran away. When this failed an attempt
was made to draw in the alleged danger
to the Texas. The testimony of Cap
tain Cook, he declared, exploded both
Mr.. Rayner then took up specification
ten, concerning the Hodgson controversy.
He said he would not undertake the task
Of extricating Lieutenant Commander
Hodgson from his predicament He read
portions OF Hodgson's testimony and
again fell back upon Captain Cooks tes-
tinlony as decisive of the point at issue.
Captain Cook had said Mr.. Rayner stated,
that the danger of collision had never
entered his head.
No one, he said, had intended to at
tack Lieutenant Commander Hodgson
but the entire controversy was Hodg-
sons own fault. Imagine such conver-
sation between the commanding officer oil
great fleet and subordinate officer
at such a time!" Even if Commodore
Schley had said Damn the Texas!" con-
tinued he, it would not have been such
a very serious matter as 1t could have
been meant seriously.
Down in Anne Arundel county Mary
land, he said, they use such language in
salutation. saying: Damn you, how are
you this morning."
Mr.. Rayner then returned and took Up
the first pecifcation-Admiral Schley S
conduct during the campaign. Nov we
come to Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Potts" he
began Mr. Potts and Mr. Wood; Mr..
Wood and Mr.. Potts" daughter in the
court) After reading the testimony OF
several officers as to the splendid bear
ing of (.miral Schley, Mr.. Rayncr read
the testimony of Mr.. Potts to the effect
that the Admiral appeared nervous:
that he got up and sat down.
Lieutenant Potts" went on Mr.. Ray
ner, has covered him with renown. His
name VIII ecnO lnTOuSu tHe ages VI LII
dying fame When Manila shall be for
gotten and Santiago will be buried in
oblivion. the name of Potts shall live.
Whenever an admiral or a commodore or
a captain is engaged i nthe carnage OF
mortal conflict, beware of Potts. Be
ware of your looks. Be careful how you
walk. Be careful how you sit down Be
reserved and reticent in your speech.
Model your entire course and conduct OF
action according to Potts, that precious
chip of the kindergarten, who confesses
that he was always scared when he was
i'll battle. but who, unfortunately. was
never engaged in any battle sufficient
enough to arouse his timidity."
At this point Captain Lemly protested
and his protest led to dramatic scene
in the cour. room.
'a.r. President" said Captain Lemly,
Lieutenant Commander Potts has never
said that he was always scared when he
was in battle. Many instances have oc-
CURED in which counsel has absolutely
misstated the evidence. and l think he
should be compelled to at\le absolutely
by the facts, particularly when he is at
tempting to traduce the reputation of an
officer. He has no right to speak in his
manner OF an officer who is above any
such assault
Mr.. Rayner-"And you have no right to
traduce the reputation OF Admiral
Schley.n
Captain Lemly-"Counsel gets up and
says that we are, in the discharge of a
most painful duty, trying to traduce Ad-
miral Schlev.'
Mr.. Rayner-"I have borne willing tes-
timony to the impartiality with which he
has tried his case and the delicate DO
sition he occupies. But L do ask my
brother not to get up and contradict me.
and say that am unreliable when 1 re:ll
the testimony that sustains me-"
Admiral Dewey--"The Court, of course
will read all the testimony that has been
given. We will be governed by the testi-
mony. We know exactly what Lieuten-
anti Commander Potts said He said he
was scared. but counsel did enlarge a
little on it,
Mr.. Rayner-"Yes, + probably did en-
large
Captain Lemly-"And that said / am
sorry / made the remark
Admiral Dewey-"It is only one day
more and l think we ought to get along
peacefully
Mr.. Rayner then took up the fifth speci-
fcation alleging disobedienceN of the or
ders of May % He argued that there
was nothing positive in the departments
information. In other words, the dis
patch was not mandatory order. Be
side every commander at the front had
certain discretion even in carrying out
mandatory orders. Mr.. Rayner told in
graphic language how Nelson had dis
obeyed orders at Copenhagen and had
won immortal fame. If Commodore Schley
had dishonesty disobeyed orders. il he
mad betrayed his country, if ne had dis
ooeyed in bad faith Mr. Rayner said, it
would call for condemnation
is commanding officer away from
nome. ne ascd, ITO be stripped of every
pre9ogative that he ought to posses. in
order TO determine upon the exigencies
or the occasion? II he acts honestly. ac-
cording 10 the best Judgment and light
that he has, is he to be branded and CON
signed to ignominy because someone else
in the same situation might have adopted
a different course? It is easy enough at
this hour to pass criticism upon the
conduct of the campaign. The question.
however. is not to determine what is the
condition of our minds today, but what
xro he Of CoI,