New-York tribune., 1901-10-18
SCHLEY'S CASE UNFOLDS
MORE OF THE BROOKLYN'S S
OFFICERS TESTIFY.
ONE SAYS sIGSBEE TOLD SCHLEY GER
VERA's FLEET WAS NOT AT SAN
TIAGo-KEEPING SIMPSONS
NAME OUT.
NAME OUT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE Tn1BuaE.l

Washington, Oct. 17.-To-day's proceedings Of
the schley court of inquiry were largely repe-
tition OF yesterdays What have become known
'flfteen minute witnesses again occupied the
stand at both sessions Of the court. They were
all officers on the Brooklyn In the West Indian
campaign. The first was Lieutenant Charles
Webster. who began his testimony yesterday.
He was followed by Lieutenant Commander
T D. Griffin. who had charge of the powder
division on the Brooklyn in the fight off San
tiago. and then came Ensigns c. a. Abele. John
Halligan, jr., Ulysses s Macy James NJ Hand
and Ralph Y. Marble The last witness Of the
day Medical Director Paul Fitzsimmons.
VINO was chief surgeon Of the Flying Squadron.
Ensign Marble, who WIS q naval cadet at
the time, testified that he heard Captain Sigs-
bee. when asked by Schley off Santiago. on
May &c, II Cerveras feet was in the harbor. say:
No, they are not in there. I have been here
about week, and certainly would know by
this time # they were in the harbor'
When he was on the witness stand, Captain
sigsbee denied having told schley that he knew
Cervera's ships were not in Santiago Harbor In
effect, Captain Sigsbee testified that when
asked by Schley if he had any news or in
formation concerning the Spanish fleet. he said
No" and that he did not know where they
were. Ensign Marble. however. to-day repeated
what he declared approximately Captain
Sigsbees exact language. He could not be
shaken in this declaration. In response TO ques-
tons from both Judge Advocate Lemly and So
ncitor Hanna, the young officer repeated over
and over again what he said he recollected as
Captain Sigsbee's words. but he could not re-
call the names or the number Of the other per
sons present when the coloquy he related oc-
CURED between Schley and Sigsbee- II took
place on the quarterdeck soon after Captain
ho1 he nj
was met by Commodore Schley. The obvious
purpose Of schleys counsel in developing this
line Of testimony is TO prove their allegation that
the commanding officers Of various ships that
had been guarding the entrance to Santiago aar-
Dor before the Brooklyn arrived there told
schley positively that Cervera's fleet was not
IN the harbor, and thus justify Schleys retro
grade movement.
Another significant incident Of the day was
the sharp ruling by the court against the re-
peated efforts Of Schley's counsel to drag Samp-
son into the case. Ensign Halligan. who, like
Ensign Marble was a naval CaGet, assigned to
duty on the Brooklyn, was on the stand when
this incident occurred. Mr. Rayner insisted that
Ralhgan should describe the location of each
ship IN the progress OF the battle and at its
close. Palpably this was another attempt TO
get into the record Of the court the position Of
the New-York, Admiral Sampson's flagship
The desire 10 bring out this point on the part Of
Admiral Schley and his counsel revealed
by the fact that for the first time since the in
Quiry began they retired for consultation when
the Judge Advocate appealed to the court TO
stop this line Of questions. When they returned
TO the room Schley's counsel announced that
they would not at this time press the question.
Then Admiral Dewey In firm language told them
that they must not persist IN this course.
There has been some inquiry TO Admiral
Schleys standing IN the navy since he was
placed on the retired list because Of age. but it
appears that this point has been settled by the
Department, which has assigned the Admiral
10 active duty at the court while the inquiry
IS IN progress. This action was taken to pre-
vent any question TO the effect the AdmiraFs
retirement would have on the action Of the
court