The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1901-10-31
SCHLfY'S BATTLE
WAS FOUGHT ACCORDING TO THE
PLANS ARRANGED BY HIM
SELF.
CONIRADICTs ALL CAPTAINS
cONIRADICTs
BLOWS THE PRECEPT OF THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT INTO
sMITHEREENs.
0 COloQUY Win nODGsoN
THE TEXAS WAS NEVER IN THE
LEAST DANGER OF COL
LISBON.

Washington Oct. 27.-Rear Admiral
Schley resumed his welcome task of
answering his accusers before the ma
val court of inquiry yesterday. In the
presence OF an audience which filled
every inch Of the space in the big court
room, Schley endeavored to blow the
navy departments precept into smith
Greens as he destroyed Cervera's fleet
1T Santiago. He described the block
ade at Santiago and declared that he
had plan of battle, and that 1t was
carried out.
He cortradicted, IL he did not possi-
bly, impeach the testimony of every
captain who fought under him during
the Spanish-American war. The cap
tains of the flying squadron without
exception have testified that they re-
ceived no instructions from Schley for
Ia battle, either verbal or written.
Schley denied this yesterday. He tes-
tilted that on the return of the flying
squadron to Santiago he called the
: captains of his fleet aboard the flag
ship for consultation. This was on
the morning of the 29th, Immediately
after the Spanish cruiser Colon had
l been discovered in the outer harbor.
He affirmed that during the discussion
IF the fact that they had got the Span
!ards bottled up he had
Told the Various Captains
that in the event of Cervera attempt
4 ing to escape from Santiago they
should attack the first ship and con-
.entrate their fire on it. When it was
destroyed, take the next, although no
opportunity was to be neglected to
I take shots at others than the leading
/ Spanish ships.
i The rear admiral testified before
full house, 1000 persons being crowded
and damned into the loft where the
court of inquiry sits. They filed every
available chair, perched on the window
stills and even climbed up on the frame
work of the elevator in their effort to
gain a place where they could watch
he witness. They had no hope of hear
Ing his story of the Santiago cam
paign. Admiral Schley talked in the
same self-contained, careful manner as
he did Thursday. Perhaps he was
little more easy and trifie more de-
tailed in his explanation Frequently
he emphasized or explained state
ment by gesture, but the greater part
Of his story was told while sitting In
his characteristic pose with his hand at
his face. his legs crossed and leaning
far back in his chair. When the rear
admiral reached
The RetrOErade Movement
i the three officers who compose the
court became greatly interested. The
witness did not go into the matter as
deeply as had been anticipated.
The rear admirars testimony regard
Ing the consultation with the captains
Of his fleet prepared the way for his
story of the battle of Santiago. which
came shortly after the court convened
after the noon adjournment. Schley
had been telling about the lombard
ments Of the Spanish forts during the
days Immediately preceding the battle.
He told of the unusual signs OF life in
Santiago harbor and finally led up to
July 3.
Now, go right along and tell of the
events OF July g." said Mr.. Rayner.
The attorneys words reached the
crowd. the big loft became painfully
quiet Schley's voice did not change
from the conversational tone he had
used while on the witness stand. Per-
haps he talked a little faster and made
q few more gestures as he told of the
uBnt tndt QSStTOycQ ScTNeTd Icct, Dut
there were few other evidences that he
had reached the climax Of the thrilling
story ne was relating to the court. He
said that the Brooklyn had for time
! sustained the fire Of all four of the
Spanish ships. and also the fire of the
Spanish land batteries. Explaining
The Historical Turn.
Of his own flagship. the Brooklyn. ne
said she had not approached to within
less than 800 yards OF the Texas, and
that he never had considered that ves-
sci in the least danger. Once or twice
he shook his hand emphatically-once
when he said he had no fear of collid-
Ing with the Texas and again when he
denied that there was ever any coloquy
with Lieut.. Hodgson. He said Hodg-
son was too good an officer to enter
into disagreement with his command
ing officer, and then. with a sweeping
gesture, said the report of the coioquy
was fiction.
The story OF the battle as told by
Schley showed that he expected the
captains of the other ships to make
the fight mapped out on May % in the
cabin OF the Brooklyn.
At the beginning of the afternoon
session Judge Advocate Lemly asked
the court to adjourn over Saturday.
Admiral Dewey consulted with his coll
leagues and they agreed to do SO. 1t
is thought that Schley will occupy the
stand all Monday and possibly longer.
The length depends upon the croes-ex-