The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-06

victorious commander of a feet
Continuing Captain Parker compared
this case with the charges made after
the battle of Lake Erie. IN that case
there might have been some foundation.
but IN this there was no foundation what
ever. He said that the court had il its
wisdom prevented comparisons with other
| officers engaged in the Santiago cam
paign.
There is no accuser here" he said.
nobody is on trial, and yet the case
has been conducted as though Commo-
! dore SchIey were on trial We get IN"
he went on, in the order of the argu-
ment now being made here. So that we
/ are compelled TO consider the inquiry as
a trial"
Taking UP the events OF the campaign
in their sequence Captain Parker spoke
Of the interviews between Admiral Samp
son and Commodore schley at Key West
saving that he would not give Admiral
Schley's testimony on this point. He
pointed out. however. that Schley was
not then informed that the Spanish fleet
had left Curacao, Notwithstanding Samp-
son had been in possession Of this infor-
nation for three or four days. He then
quoted SIMPSONS orders TO Schley 10
proceed to Cienfuegos and there establish
a blockade, and quoted Schley's tesu-
mony TO the effect that Sampson told
him he had that time no advices as 10
the whereabouts of the Spaniards.
Speaking of the cruise to Cienfuegos,
CAPTAIN Parker said it was inconsistent
TO criticise Admiral Schley for stopping
10 take Captain Chester on board, while
at the same time criticising him for not
calling CAPTAIN McCana on board. 'We
can't" he said, blow hot and cold in
the same breath. The truth is there was
no real delay in the voyage.
Reverting to the claim that Commodore
Schley had not made proper efforts to
locate the enemy at Cienfuegos, Captain
Parker said that the task OF landing
a boat on the coast was an exceedingly
dangerous one. There is no evidence.
he said. TO show that Captain McCalla
made any attempt TO send any OF his
men on shore except during the caoie-
cutting expedition. when the results were
disastrous. He assumed, and righttuliy
assumed that the people there were en-
emies and he acted accordingly. AS Tor
the Cfenfuegos blockade, he held that 1t
was sufficient: that no vessel had come
ont without permission. Moreover, the
admiral had taken all the steps possible
70 take to ascertain whether the enemy
was there. The question of the signal
lights on the shore at Cienfuegos was
also reverted to and the speaker said II
was certain tnat Commodore Schley had
not known anything of their significance
until Captain McCaIa arrived. What
earthly reason Captain Chadwick had for
not communicating the signals 10 Schiey
Captain Parker said was beyond his com
nrehension. So far as seen Chadwick
eas the only person to whom McCalla
had communicated his code. Hence, IL
Chadwick had prepared the McCaha
memorandum it could very wen be in
ferred. as he had information that no one
else had, that he would have regarded
the memorandum in a different light
from what others would who knew less.
7 conclude that up TO this time. so
far as the blockade is concerned. so
far as his conduct there is concerned,
there is absolutely nothing shown by the
testimony in the case from which the
slightest suspicion OF fault can be placed
upon Commodore Sehley.'
The speaker then read the Dear
Schley'' letter Of May 20. in which Ad-
miral Sampson said he had decided not
to change his plans to hold Cienfuegos,
as he felt that either Cervera had taken
refuge at Santiago. he must inevitably
stiu go to Cienfuegos. and commented
upon it at some length.
He contended that both this dispatch
and No. 8 had been sent at later date
than had been suggested by the naval
officials. Admiral Sampson had, he said,
instructed Schley to remain at Cienfue-
gos. Notwithstanding the departments
advice to proceed to Santiago. and in No
discretion had plainly been given TO
Scblsv. If, I suppose" he said, "Schley
had gone on and it had been found that
the Spaniards were there. he could have
been condemned, and justly, in case OF
q court martial learned friends here
would have thundered against him. ] say
that no criticism is deserved for the com
modore's conduct at Cienfuegos."
Taking up the question Of the progress
OF the hying squadron. from Cienfuegos
10 Santiago. Captain Parker said that
if the court Will take the trouble 70 look
al the logs of the various ships the mem
bers Will see that there is nothing in that
charge. / prefer to take what the officers
v-rote AZ the time rather than what they
say now.
Captafn Parker claimed that in the pas
sage from Cienfuegos 10 Santiago the
sueed Of the slowest vessel of the squad
ron must be speed of the squadron 1t
would not have been the common sense
fdea Of the situation. he said. 70 have
abandoned the Eagle and the collier and
make an speed for Santiago
Caotain Parker also commended Com
modore schley's conduct OF the cruise .
10 Santiago. He had" said the speaker (
.aot4d according 10 the dictates OF his (
best Judgment judgment which" the
captain said. was better than q less
exner;enced officers. an experience which /
had been gained in command. under clr-
cumstances of every nature. in the Arc
tie. around both capes, on every sea ana (
finder every sun. He was Captain Par /
ler continued. at least as likely 20 oe
correct as tnese young officers who. for 4
the first tine IN their lives. were given .
command Of a small boat
Taxing ne aeet % the southwark from .
Ss,-fspo NAY 2s captain Parker detailed f
the meeting with the scout boats and (
said thar the condemnation ~ the conf .
modore for rot communicating with Cap F.
tairs Jeweu and Use was pneriie- All .
that wise had - do Re said was 90 I
s,r-al that ne had complete Information 4
ara he would have 10 be asked 20 core
on hoard IL is the clear duty ~ any 4
Subordinate officer 20 make koa0n 70
his superior any Information Re may