The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-26
Schley Says There Was Never Any
Danger of Collision With
the Texas.
He DID NOT SAY DAMN THE TeXAS''
Nor Did He Use the Words Attributed TO Him
by Potts. SchIry Says Also That
Sampson Seemed Satisfied
With His Blockade.
With His Blockade.
(By the Associated Press.)


Washington, Oct 25.-When the
Schley Court of Inquiry adjourned to-
day Admiral Schley had not completed
his testimony in chief. He took the
stand about half past eleven o'clock,
after former witnesses had been recalled
for the purpose of making corrections
in and additions to their testimony and
continued his statement until the court
adjourned at $3.50 p. m.
This adjournment twenty minutes in
advance of the usual time was due to
the fact that the admiral's throat had
become somewhat sensitive as a result
of his continuous talking yesterday and
today. He had made complaint to the
court of the condition of his throat inn
mediately after concluding his recital
of the story of the battle of Santiago,
and Admiral Dewey, who evidently him
self had noticed the difficulty respond
ed by showing a willingness to adjourn
the court. Mr.. Rayner, however, ex-
pressed a desire to proceed, saying that
wished to ask and Admiral Schley as
sented TO his counsel's suggestion. A
quarter Of an hour later Admiral
Dewey himself renewed the suggestion
for an adjournment and all concerned
agreeing to this proposition the court
adjourned until Monday at II o'clock.
THE LARGEST CROWD YET.
court By large odds the largest crowd
that has vet attended any of these ses-
sons was present, and earnest interest
was manifested throughout the pro-
ceedings. Long before the beginning of
the morning session all the seats re-
served for visitors in the court room
were Occupied and the greater portion
of the space in the rear of these Seats
was covered by men and women stand
ing. They not only stood upon the
floor, but upon window sills and tables,
and even the elevator machinery in that
portion of the hall was covered by
men. On only one occasion was there
any effort at APPLAUSE and this was sup
pressed before it had reached any mag
nitude.
The chief event of the day was the
admirars relation of the events of July
3, when the American fleet sent Ger
Vera's squadron to the bottom of the
sea or to the beach. He told his story
of this historical occurrence in plain
words and in unaffected style, but the
narrative was straightforward and to
the point, indicating close familiarity
with all the phases of that event
He said that the Brooklyn for a time
had 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, he said that she had not ap-
preached to within less than 600 yards
of the Texas, and that he never had
considered that vessel in the least dan
ger. He also stated in response to an
interrogation from Mr. Rayner that he !
had never during the battle engaged in
any colloquy with Lieut.. Hodgson and |
that he had not used the expression |
attributed to him by Hodgson. This
refers to the alleged colloquy in which |
the admiral is charged with having |
said: Damn the Texas" Admiral |
noissance of May 81, when the Spanish !
ship Chistobal Colon was bombardeds |
In this connection he denied the state
ment attributed to him by Commander !
Potts of the battleship Massachusetts, |
HARLOW is QUESTIONED.
At the opening of court Lieutenant
Commander Harlow, of the Vixen. was
asked this question by the court: Did
the Vixen carry a verbal report from
Commodore Schley to the commander
in-chief July 2nd that there was un-
usual activity shown by the enemy in
the harbor!'
ITO the best of my recollection the
Vixen received by nlegaphone from an
officer on the quarter deck of the
Brooklyn on the night of July 2nd such
message as that and to the best of my
belief did. as she usually did, carry
such messages to the flagship and to
other vessels of the squadron"
In response to Captain Lemly. witness
said he had no recollection Of the de-