The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-01

Washington, October 29.-The cross
examination of Admiral Schley was
continued throughout the session of the
court of inquiry today. The progress
made was exceedingly slow Practical
ly the whole day was consumed in ques-
tioning the admiral about the cruise
from Cieufuegos to Santiago and the
motives and influences that governed
him in turning back after his squadron
had arrived in the vicinity of the latter
port. This latter branch OF the cross
examination had not been concluded
when the court adjourned.
The blockade at Santiago, the recon-
noissance on May 31st and the battle of
July 3rd still remain TO be covered 1t
is hardly probable that the judge ad-
vOcate can conclude before adjourn
ment tomorrow. After he finishes quite
number of questions prepared by the
members of the court will be submitted
The judge advocate in conducting the
cross examination used a carefully pre-
pared typewriter list of questions
They call for comparison of state
direct testimony, in his communication
to the senate or in his dispatches to Ad-
miral Sampson or the navy department
with the testimony of witnesses who
have preceded I'm and the logs and
signal books of the Other ressels of the
fleet. The questions were not asked in
chronological order, but jumped from
one subject to another and from one
stage of the campaign to another.
Throughout the strain to which the
witness naturally was subjected while
under examination, the admiral retain
ed his customary cOmposure. Only once
or twice did he display impatience or
weariness. At one point when asked a
question he replied that he had been
asked the same question yesterday, at
the same time telling what his reply
had been then. On another occasion
when he.was being searchingly interro-
gated as to his distance from shore at
CienfuegOs and as to whether the dis
tances were a matter of record he re-
spOnded rather tartly: "Oh no, did not
know this would ever become a matter
of such great Importance or I should
have made q memorandum, as 1 should
of many other things"
The main points to which the cross
examination was directed today were
the ability Of the ships to coal off Cien-
fUegOs and the reasons for what is
known as the 'retrOgrade movement"
much emphasis and detail and had not
been disposed of fully when the court
adjourned. The admiral gave three
reasons for turning back: First, the
statement of Captain Sigsbee, who COM
manded the scout ship st. Paul, that the
enemy was not in Santiago; second, the
opinion of Nunez, the pilot. that the
entrance was too narrow and shallow
for the Spanish ships to enter, and,
third, the ambiguity of the depart
ment's telegram. In the course of the
cross examination the admiral said he
regarded the departments dispatch
rather as a suggestion than as an eX-
plicit order, a suggestion which he car
ried out after the sea had abated and
the coal supply of the ships had been
repleniShed.
After some preliminary questions,
Captain Lemly asked if the war bulle-
tin brought by the Adula to Cienfuegos
had not stated that the Spanish fleet
had left Santiago on May 20th. This
the witness admitted was true, as he
did also that he had said that the dis
tance from CienfuegoS to Santiago was
from thirty-siX to forty-eight hours.
Then Captain Lemly asked: Would not
the fact that from thirty-SiN to forty
eight hours was necessary in covering
this distance have brought the Span
iardS after your arrival there?'
Il did not wish to be understood Inat
that time would have been necessary
for the Spaniards to make the voyage"
Had Cervera's fleet appeared during
the night you were at CienfuegOS either
coming out or going in from seaward
what, under your instructions, would
your fleet have done?"
knocked them out ca stir in the
court.)
What were your instructions?"
TO follow the fiag-inStructions given
them at Hampton Roads"
But what were your instructions?
There were none. l do not consider
that the regulations or custom required
written instructions"
isn't it the unwritten law at sea in
the navy that vessels in question shall
follow the f1ag?"
"It is
Captain Iemly asked a number Of
questions about coaling, his purpose be-
ing to show that Admiral Schley had
reported it impossible to blockade San
tiago on account of short coal supply,
although he had coaled several of the
ships. Questions were also asked about
the use of Ardois signals on leaving
CienfuegoS. Il
Captain Lemly asked: when you left
Cienfuegos where did you think the
Spanish squadron was?"
ST did not, of course, know exactly
where it was. If I had I would have
gone straight for it. According to the
Information which came to me I sup
posed that if it was not at Santiago it
was somewhere in the neighborhood,
= but my impression was that it had
come out, as this information from the
Adula had indicated but just where it
was. of course could not decide
did you give any special instructions
To your captains while making this pas
sage from Cienfuegos to Santiago in
regard to looking out for the Spanish
deet?"