Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-09-26
SCENE OF sCHIEY INQUIRY ONE

"You stated you could have coaled
from the Merrimac on the day; why
did not you do so?"
"In the first place / had no authority
TO coal In the second place, | was
going for coal, which | could receive
within twenty-four hours and In the
third place, coal was more needed by
the fleet than by the Harvard"
did you ask the commodore for per-
mission TO coal?"
81 did not
On redirect examination. Admiral
Cotton said he was satisfied that he
told Admiral Schley Of Lieut.. Bealrs
proposition on the 9th, because he
would have considered that he was
remiss in his duty II he had not given
the information at the first opportuni-
ty He had then besides the order Of
the department 10 Commodore Schley TO
ascertain the facts concerning the pres
ence Of the Spanish fleet in the har-
Dor
Mr. Hanna here introduced a copy Of
dispatch from Admiral Sampson
which had been received by the Har-
ward. and which had not been made
public heretofore. Ii was stated that
this message had been written on May
end A notation on It showed that il
had been received on May 2jth. The
dispatch was In cipher and was di-
reced to the Harvard at Mole ST. Mich
olas. II was translated by Lieut.. Beall
and as presented read:
THE Spanish squadron at Santiago
II previous to May 18th. scout OFF San
tiago. Communicate with Schley II he
(they) move west. Schey is expected
May Path at Santiago from Cienfuegos.
Telegraph me from Nicholas Mole to
Key West II he they move east, and
leave letter for Schley. Then go to
Santiago 10 meet him, | shall be at
Cay Francis with squadron. II two
scouts are available. one should keep
track Of the Spanish squadron"
Admiral Cotton said that the copy
which he had read had been retained by
him. He added that II he had ever
given that dispatch to Admiral schley,
it had been on the 9th, and not on the
3lst Of May,
CAPT WISE CALLED.
At 1925 Admiral Cotton was excused
and Capt William c. Wise, who was
in command Of the auxiliary cruiser
Yale during the summer Of 1898. was
called. He told OF his accommodating
about Santiago harbor on May Goth and
May Gard. previous 10 the arrival Of the
flying squadron. He said he had not
been able to see anything OF the Span
ish feet,
Capt. Wise related how he had come
up with the flying squadron off Santi-
ago just as 1t had begun its retrograde
movement on the 9th of May. and told
Of his exchange Of signals with Cant.
Philip Of the Texas MIR. Hanna cues
toned him. asking:
AS | understand you. when you
picked W the flying squadron they
were formed for the westward move
ment3"
Yes" was the reply. I'm other
words, the Texas had completed her
turn and the Merrimac was still in the
turn"
Did you pass near any OF the yes
sels?"
II passed close 10 the Texas and ex-
changed salutations with Capt. Philip.
Capt Philip asked whore the Spanish
squadron was. ! answered: Navy de-
pariment said they were In Santiago
fIe asked me where we thought they
We're. said. I firmly believe they are
in there"
Mr.. Raynor objected to this line OF
testimony, saying that IL was in the
nature Of a report of a conversation
between Capts. Wise and Philip and in
admissible. The court sustained the
objection and then put some questions
OF Its own. which together with the
answers. were as follows:
QUESTIONED BY THE COURT.
What information had you that led
you TO believe the Spanish squadron
was at Santiago May 27th?"
THE same information that was re-
celved from the navy department. I
will state II they were there on the goth
they did not leave. | am perfectly sat
ished they did not leave while we were
there"
Judge Advocate am reminded by
the court that this refers particularly
60 information that you have?
IL received my dispatch from the
navy department on the Goth, that the
Spanish squadron had arrived on the
18th In Santiago"
Had you any personal knowledge?"
mo"
BY the Court-Did you report TO the
senior officer present the information
upon which you based your belief re-
gardlng the location OF the Spanish
squadron on that date?
AS stated first, | was intercepted by
the order from Commodore Schley from
the Vixen to take the Merrimac in