New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
TO HEAR SCHLEY TO-DAY
COURT of INQUIRY MAKING
RAPID PROGRESS.
EIGHT WITNESSES TESTIFY FOR THE
DEFENCE-NEw POINTS BROUGHT
oUT-A BoATswAIN's STORY
APPIATDFD
APPLAUDED.
Isy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

kSH ILLErhAEA ~ 1ta1 3AADb-'S'4
Washington Oct. 23.-Admiral Schley is ex-
lpected 10 take the witness stand IN the court OF
Enquiry some time tomorrow. This announce
lnent is justified by the progress made to-day in
1he examination Of witnesses called TO testify in
the AdmiraPs behalf. There are only three more
names on the list preceding the name OF the
admiral himself OF these only Captain Clark
OF the Oregon, is expected TO testify at any
length. II is not probable that the Admiral VIII
be called before the afternoon session. He VIII
be the last Of the witnesses 10 be heard in sup
port OF his side Of the controversy. 1t is now
considered probable that he will be on the stand
for two three days.
Eight witnesses contributed more or less TO
Admiral Schley's defence to-day. While nothing
wholly new marked the days proceedings. strong
oorroborattye statements were made in support
OF the contention that Sigsbee was sure the
Spanish feet was not at Santiago when Schley
got there that Schleys conduct was always
exemplary and inspiring. that the squadron was
not withdrawn TO a distance from santiago
5iarbor at night, and that the Brooklyn never
retreated out OF close range OF the Spaniards
On the battle of July 3.
Two notable points not related 10 the precept
were put on record with emphasis the first by
the turret captains Of the Oregon and the
second by the last portions of their testimony
ana Indt OF witnesses pF6CtOlIb anu AOAAo''4AAS
them. These were that the four thirteen-inch
guns Of the peerless battleship did more than
zhe combined batteries Of all the rest Of the fleet
10 force ashore and destroy Cervera's ships and
that the Brooklyn with her starboard battery
Sisabled was sent off alone after the New-fork
seached the Colon to meet a strange ship then
rhought 10 be the Spanish battleship Carlos
EQuinte. The Oregon. at first directed to accom-
1any the Brooklyn this possibly perilous mis-
sion, was held at the last moment to put a
prize crew the sinking Colon
The first new witness to-day James 5.
Hare. OF Flatbush, Long Island. photographer.
who cruised off the south coast of Cuba in the
SSomers y. Smith and who told how that vessel
had gone back TO Key West for coal on receiv-
5ng Sigsbee's assurance off Santiago that the
'Spaniards were not there. and that Schley had
gone to the westward. The first noisy demon
situations of applause since the court assembled
FHgere caused by the narrative Of the Brooklyn's
chief boatswain. William l. Hill, who exhibited
remarkable facility in describing trivial Incl
dents in a dramatic fashion. He was a most
willing and at times enthusiastic of in
formation. He kept daily journal which had
assisted him in recollecting everything TO the
distinct credit OF his commander and in con-
rributing some amusing incidents TO the other
wise tedious routine of evidence.
Lieutenant Albert A. Ackerman who was Ad-
1niTal Sampsons assistance in the Ordnance Bu-
reau before the war; and the principal gunnery
expert Of the Oregon in the Cuban campaign
gave a technical account of the battle w
Applegate, gunner on the Brooklyn, told of
the injuries TO the Brook,yns starboard 5-inch
Marriages and the ammunition used by the ship
Lieutenant Edward W. Eberle told the story Of
the battle observed from the forward big tur-
ret Of the Oregon and the tfirty-four l3-inch
shells he fired at the enemy. Lieutenant Rufus
Z Johnston, who was Captain Clark's signal Of
1icer on the Oregon, described all the signals
OF the battle. Major Paul ST. Clair Murphy, of
ahe Brooklyn, the fleet marine officer gave his
recollections, which about the same as those
of all the Brooklyns officers.
The last witness was Lieutenant-Com nder
Charles II. Harlow. of the Vixen, whose copious
notes. taken in the battle and entered in the
Vixens log, were so creditable 10 the Brooklyn
These notes were dictated in the battle TO Pay
master Doherty by Harlow, who closely watched
developments through a glass. The original notes
were spread on the record to-day, and will be
the basis for further testimony Harlow told
OF the effectiveness Of the inside picket service
of the Vixen in the Santiago blockade and pre-
scented log records indicating that Schley's block
.ade al night was closer inshore than that main