Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1901-09-26
THE TRIAL OF SCHLEY
No Sensational Testimony Produced
't tie Iaquiry.
COTTON A WITNESS.
lie Tells Of Delivering Dispatches 10
sehley -Rtading Of Dispatches
10 Cotton Ruled Oni by the
Court Of Inquiry.

Washington. Sept % Before En-.
queer Claxton took tho stand tan
morning, Captain Heilner was recalled
to make verbal correction In the OH,
cial copy Of his testimony lie said be
had several corrections that he desired
70 make. In ono case ho was recorded
as giving the bearing and tho dis.
tance" Of tho Brooklyn. He said he
had given bearing aud not tho distance.
He made various other changes, hut
they were not material.
Engineer Claxton said on July 8,
1905, he had been on duty in tho en-
gine room Of the Texas. The engine
indicator had called for full speed and
ahead early in the morning which had
within an hour after the beginning Of
action been changed TO "full speed
asiern." To his knowledge there had
been no signal for reversal Of the en-.
gines- He said that ho had been ex.
eused from service in the engine room.
but still he knew the engines were re.
versed for about two minutes.
Rear Admiral Cotton, now comman.
dant at the Norfolk navy yard. who
commanded the auxiliary cruiser Har-
ward during the Spanish war. was the
next witness. He told Of meeting she
Tying squadron under Commodore
Sohley OF Santiago May 27. 1898, and
said that on that day he had delivered
dispatches 70 the number Of 10 70 the
commodore from Admiral Sampson aud
the navy department Schley told him
OF the difficulties encountered in ooaling
from ships at sea and a-kod about sew
eral points that the Harvard had visit
ed. Witness could not recommend any
Of them. Schley then said he would
have 20 return 70 Kcy West for coal,
aud the signal fur the feet 20 prepare 10 /
form for the return voyage was made /
while witness was aboard the Brooklyn /
Sohley had given the witness verbal I
permission 10 90 10 Kingston with the
Harvard aud ge, coal enough to take
that vessel 10 the nearest United States
port.
Admiral Cotton was asked II he
agreed with Schley in specific terms as
TO the difficulties in coaling. lie replied
the question was not discussed and he
expressed no opinion. The conversation
occurred after schley had read the dis
patches. The dispatches ordered the
commander Of the Harvard TO inform
schley the navy department was in.
formed the Spanish squadron was in
santiago harbor and directed him 90
ascertain facts and not 70 permit the
Spanish feet TO leave without decisive
lction Schley did nothing TO the wit.
less knowledge TO carry out orders.
Mr.. Raynor called attention "a the
act there were material changes In
dispatches as printed in official reports
y navy department. Admiral schley's
eply 70 Those dispatches, dated May ,
p, in which he said he could not obey
riders Of the department were then
cad, and Mr.. Rayner pointed out vari.
us changes in the language Of the dc.
artment's dispatch as printed officially.
Ie addressed the court briefly concern.
ng these changes
Judge Advocate Lemly then started I
b read the dispatches received by Ad.
liral Cotton from Admiral Schley, dc.
yorod hv tho Seornfon
Mr.. Rayner objected 20 reading these
ispatohes unless Admiral SIMPSONS :
ispatch No. 70 Admiral schloy was !
,ad. Admiral Dewey sustained tho
bjection.