The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-17
SCHLBY TO HIS COUNSEL.
He Tells Them the Full Story of
the Battle of Santiago.
A Three-Hour COnference-SOmeV VAL
unbie New Points DiscOvered-No
Official Call Yesterdny-To Change
the Enquiry Courts Meeting Place.


the Enquiry Courts Meeting Place
For tine first time since the reopening
of the Sampson Schley controversy in re-
gard to the battle of Santiago, Admiral
Sc.ley yesterday conferred with his coun-
sci, taking the initial step in the pre-
paration Of his case before the Court OF
Enquiry. which will convene in this city
on September II.
The conference of the admiral and his
attorneys lasted for about three hours
from IL o'clock yesterday morning until
neatly in the afternoon. in the suite of
rooms occupied by Judge Jere NJ. Wilson.
at the Shoreham. There were present Ad-
miral Schley, Judge Wilson. Isidor Ray
ner, Attorney General of Maryland and
close personal friend of the admiral.
and Capt James Parker, During the con-
ference Admiral Schley made to his coun-
sci thorough and complete statement of
the naval operations before Santiago.
His recital of the situation from begin
ming to end. to which his counsel paid the
strictest attention, was complete and full
in every particular and detail. He went
over the ground thoroughly, and not a
point was omitted. The precept for the
Court of Enquiry was taken up para ra phi
by paragraph, and fully discussed.
The outline of the conduct of the case
was talked over, and practically decided
upon. Admiral Schleys counsel read.:,
mastered the details of the work before
them. and are now fury prepared to en-
ter the investigation.
The most important part of the confer
ence was the fact that number of new
points We're brought out, favorable to Ad-
miral Schley which. it is understood,
opposition, These points are supported
by certain papers. which il is understood
Admiral Schley turned over to his attor-
neys. They are of the greatest signifi-
canoe. and materially strengthen the posi-
ton of Admiral Schley. Their nature was
not divulged by the lawyers who are con-
Quoting the case for Admiral Schley, al
though it was admitted that they were
very important
II is also understood that the partial
list of witnesses submitted to the Navy
Department by Admiral Schley was gone
over at the conference yesterday The
number includes the various officers in
command of the ships which took part
in the Santiago engagement and other
persons whose familiarity with incidents
and affairs bearing upon the subject will
be of the utmost Importance. The names
of the witnesses were not given out.
Documents and papers bearing upon the
subject were gone over carefully at the
conference. They related to the move
ments of the fleet from the time it sailed
from Key West until May q, and from
that date until July 3. the day upon which
the battle was fought, with the exception
of the time in which Admiral Sampson
was in command of the fleet.
The arrangements for the conference
were made several days ago. Judge VIII
SON returned to the city on Thursday
night earlier than expected in order TO
keep his appointment with Admiral
Schley. Mr.. Rayner reached the city yes
terday morning and went to the Shore
ham. admiral Schley rose quite early in
the morning and received a visit from
Judge Wilson about 10 o'clock. The two
held a conference which lasted for twenty
minutes. Shortly before 1870 o'clock a
telephone message was received from the
Shoreham stating that Mr.. Rayner had
arrived and that he was ready to confer
with the other attorneys in the case. Ad-
miral Schley and Judge Wilson imme-
diately left the Arlington for the Shore
ham. The admiral and Mr.. Rayner ex-
changed pleasantries in the lobby of the
hotel and the three gentlemen held con- |
ference of nearly forty-five minutes in 1
the 'parlor of the hostelry. They then re-
paired to the suite of rooms on the fourth I
floor occupied by Judge Wilson where !
they, were Joined by Captain Parker
Atathe close of the conference Admiral
Schley was seen by Times reporter. He (
smiled when asked to make statement.
There Is really nothing l can say"
said the admiral. except that we have
been hard at work today and that / have
fully informed my counsel of what | know
of this question. / have presented them
with the complete facts in my possession
ana 1 am satisfied with the progress we
have made
More than this Admiral Schley would
not say. He returned Immediately to the
Arlington. Judge Wilson and Captain +
Parker called on him later in the after
noon, but remained only few minutes.
One important fact developed by the
conference was that the list of witnesses
for the Navy Department will be imme
diately asked for, and il is believed by
Admiral Schley's counsel that it will be
furnished. Admiral Schley will thereupon
make his first move. Just what the ma
ture of this move will be was not d.
vulged, although it is understood that it
will embrace the filing of certain papers
with the Navy Department.
Admiral Schley's attorneys are conf
dent of the outcome of the Court of En-
quiry. Mr.. Rayner left the conference
before 2 o'clock. by which time. it was
supposed that the important work under
conside ration had been finished. He re-
turned to Baltimore during the afternoon,
but will come back to Washington later.
The admiral and his counsel arranged
to hold a second consultation on Monday
morning at the office of Judge Wilson. |
Papers in the case will be prepared there,
It is understood. which will be presented
TO the Navy Department.
Admiral Schley did not visit the Navy
Department yesterday. but took occasion
to advise Acting Secretary Hackett that
he was in Washington and that he was
stopping at the Arlington. This is in con-
formity with the regulations Of the navy.
which require that an officer visiting in
Washington for any purpose shall adj
wise the department within twenty-four
hours OF his arrival. 1t is not necessary
that he should appear in person and
register within that time, and therefore
having Informed the department that he |
is in this city and where he may be !
found. Admiral Schley has complied with
the regulations register is kept at
the department wherein officers who visit
there enter their names. the purpose !
which brings them 10 Washington the
time of their probable departure. and the
place where they are stopping while here.
IL is probable that admiral Schley will
call upon Acting Secretary Hackett within
n short time-as soon as he finds Il con-
yenient 10 do so. His assistant counsel |
Capt. James Parker. was at the Navy |
Department for a short time yesterday
looking ever some OF the records in the |
case. to inform himself upon certain
points which he wished to explain to his
legal associates.
Acting Secretary Hackett has reached
the conclusion that the reception room at |
the Navy Department is entirely made
puate FOR the needs of the Schley Court ,
OF Enquiry. He has. accordingly, set | ,
out 10 ind another place, which VIII
be suitable and convenient. He has writ
ten to Secretary Long upon the subject |
and. after obtaining the latters views VIII
make an announcement rs to where the ;
court will hold its sittings He is most !
fayorably inclined TO the use OF one of
buildings tcl+ .u .