The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-31
Capt. Borden Closes the Evil
dence on AdmfraI's Side.
Government Will Try to I'm.
peach His Witnesses.
CALLED IN REBUTTAL.
Captain Sigsbee Was Again
Placed Upon the Stand.
Lemly Announces He Will Con-
tinue to Summon Witnesses.

| Washington, Oct. 31-When the
| Schley court of inquiry opened today
| Capt. T. S. Borden was called as the
| first witness of the day and as the last
witness who was to testify in Admiral
| Schley's behalf 1t had been expected
that Admiral Barker would be called
but it has 1atterly been decided that his
testimony if given, would not be mater
ial and it is not now expected that he
will testify. Capt Borden is an officer
in the marine corps and served on the
Brooklyn during the Cuban campaign.
His testimony therefore, was largely
corroborative of the evidence which has
heretofore been given by others who
We're on the Brooklyn. The remainder
of the day, it was expected when the
court opened, would be taken up with
witnesses called by the navy depart
ment for the purpose of impeaching
parts of the testimony given in support
of Admiral Schley. Included in this list
for this purpose is Capt. Charles D.
Sigsbee of the st. Paul; Capt. Francis
E. Chadwick, of Admiral SIMPSONS
flagship, the New York; Mr.. Sylvester
Scovil, who was a newspaper cores
pondent in Cuban waters during the
campaign; Major T. N. Wood, who
served on board the Massachusetts as
marine officer; Lieut.. Commander Potts
and Lieut.. Grant, who also We're on the
Massachusetts and Capt Joseph G. Ea-
ton, who was on the Resolute.
Capt. Sigsbee has been called for the
purpose of rebutting the testimony as
to his message to the Somers N. Smith,
press boat, and also his conversation on
the Brooklyn. in which witnesses have
testified that he told Commodore Schley
the Spaniards We're not in Santiago.
Mr.. Scovil also was summoned for the
purpose of rebutting testimony as to
Captain Sigsbee's MESA ge to the press
boat Somers N. Smith. Capt. Chad
wick was called to testify concerning
the conference between Admiral Samp-
son and Commodore Schley May 10.
Major Wood, Commander Potts and
Lieut.. Grant, were expected to testify
relative to the ward room converse ton
on the Massachusetts on May 81 in
which Lieut.. Sears is alleged to have
spoken of the difficulty of getting Ad-
miral Schley to embark upon the recon
noissance in the harbor at Santiago,
which took place on that day. The
counsel for Admiral Schley was prepar-
ed to make technical objections to most
of the testimony and the day began
with the prospect that much of the time
would be taken in discussing points at
issue between counsel on the two sides
of the case.
Admiral SchIey will probably not re-
turn to the witness stand for the cor
rection of his testimony for two or three
days.
Captain Borden said he had been
junior marine officer on the Brooklyn
and he stated that the distance of the
blockading line from the entrance to the
harbor at Santiago was not to exceed
four and a half miles, He said he had
seen picket boats at night during Com
modore Schley's command there. The
vessels had steamed about four and a
half miles back and forth at night.
Speaking of the events of the battle
of July 8, he said the lowest range
given was 1 100 yards and that this was
given just before the turn, while the
maximum range was $500 yards. He
had clearly observed the Brooklyn's
loop and speaking of this he said:
In the course of the turn, i fired guns
on either side, starboard and portsmoke
was very thick at that time, and during
the turn | saw no vessels at all, al
though I had plain view out of the
stern ports I judge could see about
500 yards distinctly.
In reply to questions from Mr.. Rayner
he had seen Commodore SchIey three
times during the battle and that his
bearing was everything that the officers
and crew could have expected.
The witness then related other Incl
dents of the battle saying:
.aThe most vivid feature of the battle
in my recollection occurred just after
the Brooklyn had made her turn. l had
relieved the gun captain in charge of
the starboard six FOUNDER gun and I
uteS by a slight change in train. At
that time could see no other American
ship
On cross examination the fact was
brought out that during the turn Capt.
Borden had been in charge of guns in
the stern of the ship and had not been
able to see ahead.
SCHLEY'S CASE CLOSED.
Capt Borden was then excused and
as he left the stand Mr.. Rayner said he
would have more witnesses to call.
He said:
May it please the court we have
closed our case
This statement was made at 11.f5 a.
rn and the statement was made in such
quiet tones that it is doubtful whether
its purpose was understood by half
those present
Capt Parker then asked to have put
in evidence a number of documents, in
Guiding the report of the battle of July
8, Admiral Schley made from Monte
video June 49, 1900 This report never
has. been printed Following is an ex-
tract from it:
In my Judgment, from an obstructed
view of the entire field of action of the
combat, the Viscaya was not more than
1000 yards distant My flag lieutenant,
standing atmy elbow, reminded me that
the distance between the leaders of the
Spanish squadron and ourselves was
approa ching tactical diameter. The
Stadimeter at this instant indicated 900
yards. The Brooklyn then swung to
starboard to meet what proved to be the
last of the attempts to ram the Brook
1yn, for the Viscaya then turned square
to starboard and followed the Maria
Teresa until the latter's destruction
These facts admit of contradiction
for they are based on the independent
judgment and observation of two or
more persons and upon the stadimeter
in the hands of person skilled in its