The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-25
Sampson Assured by SchIey1
of His FeaIty.
STIR OF EMOTION AS SCHLEY RECALLS II
Before He Begins the Story of the
Great Battle Court Adjourns. The
Captain of the Oregon Proves a
Strong Schley Witness.
(By the Associated Press.)

(BY the ASSOcldIeu GTeSS.)
Washington, D. c., Oct. 24.-Admiral
Schley today took the stand in his own
behalf, at the court of inquiry. which
is investigating his conduct as COM
mander-i in chief of the fyirg squadron
during the Santiago CAM align. He was
>summoned a few minutes after the
court convened at two clock for the
afternoon session, and when the court
adjourned at four o'clock. he apparently
had only gotten we'll under way in his
testimony.
Captain Charles E. Clark, CT the Ore
gon, had just concluded his statement
when Mr. Rayner rising from his seat
said:
II should like to have Rear Admiral
Schley called" and the Admirale ac-
cording was asked to the stand 1t
was q turn in the proceedings for which
apparently neither the members of the
court, its officers nor the spectators
were prepared, and murmur of sur.
prise was heard on all sides. 1t had
been expected that the AdmiraPs name
would be reached toward the close of
the afternoon session. There were still
two witnesses on his list who had not
been heard and it was understood to be
his purpose not to take the stand until
the entire list has been exhausted He.
however, responded Immediately to the
call, and before the audience was
we'll aware of the fact he had begun his
narrative of the campaign which ter
/ minated in the destruction of Cervera's
fleet
Mr.. Rayner introduced the testimony
of his distinguished witness by saying:
'Will you give the court your name
and rank?''
winfield Scott Schley, Rear Admiral
y. S. N, retired, at present on service
in this court of inquiry"
THE COURT CROWDED.
The Admiral then in answer to
question from his counsel proceeded to
give a careful and detailed narrative
ofall the events of the campaign up TO
the battle of Santiago. He had NOT
roached the stage of his testimony
where he will tell of the battle when
the court adjourned for the day. The
audience which listened to his recital
was by far the largest which has vet
gathered in the gunners workshop
where the court sits. All the reserved
seats Wero occupied as were the seats
set apart for the public at large. In
the rear Of the room stood probably as
many people as found seats, scores of
men and women standing upon tables.
chalrs and in the windows, in fact any
where from which they could see the
court.
There wds no appearance of demon
stratiCn Of any kind during the Ad-
mirafs recital. On the contrary the
silence was almost unbroken excent fo,
the sound of the witness own voice
oniy once was there stir in the room
Which indicated any feeling on the mart
OF the listeners. That was when the
Admiral, detailing his conversation
with Admiral Sampson in the cabin of
the New York at Key West. told how
ne had assured the commander-in-cbief
of fealty to him. When the court ad-
Journed for the day many of the snec-
tators pressed forward and shook the
Admirals hand.
Admiral schley Begins His Story.
i was a comRodore," the witness
began IN response to Mr.. Rayner's re-
quest for connected narrative of the
campaign, "and was ordered to com
mand the flying squadron"
He said that he had called the com
manding officers of the vessels constitu-
ting that squadron together and then he
added:
the plan of campaign was threshed
out. put the squadron Immediately
upon war footing, established pickets
and patrols and also the masking of
lights.
Admiral Schiey outlined at this point
the plan which he had indicated to his
commanding officers before leaving
Hampton Roads, saying:
STANDING PLAN OF BATTLE.
During this time / explained to all
| the commanding officers that as il would
be impossible to contrive a plan of battle
that would meet Unforeseen contingen.
| cies, the general plan of the squadron
would be to cruise in line of battle. and
its general principle would be to attack
the head, and leading-F vessel conGGzl raj :