The Topeka state journal., 1901-10-16
THOSE WHO KNOW
Schley's List of Witnesses is to
Be Limited
To Officers Of the Brooklyn and
the Oregon.
HE EXPECTS TO PROVE
That the Command of the Entire
Fleet Was Given Him
By Signals From Sampson on
Morning Of the Battle.

w dSnlI1SI OCT. l0.-Ine Scnley court
of inquiry began proceedings today as
usual, with the correction of testimony
given on the previous day, the wit
nesses summoned for this purpose being
Capt. Cook and Lieut.. Commander
Sears, who testified yesterday. When
they had left the stand, Commander
Newton E. Mason, who was executive
officer on the Brooklyn during the war
with Spain, was called to relate his
observations of the conduct of the San
tiago campaign. 1t is the purpose OF
Mr.. Rayner to first examine officers of
the Brooklyn and to follow these with
a number OF those who were on the
Oregon. 1t is understood that his en-
tire list of witnesses is practically con-
fined to persons who were on board
those two vessels
In connection with today's proceed
1ngS Mr. Rayner presented a NUMBER
of questions to the court, which he said
he desired to ask one of Admiral
Schley's witnesses concerning certain
signals which were sent from Admiral
SIMPSONS flagship, the New York, on
the morning of July 3. before that ves-
sci left for Siboney for the purpose
of allowing the commander-in-chief or
the naval forces to consult with Cen
ner contends, had the effect of placing
the entire fleet under the command of
Commodore Schley, and on this account
he urges their relevancy.
While Captain Cook occupied the Wit
ness stand, for the purpose of correcting
his testimony, Mr.. Hanna asked him:
Referring to your statement in re-
gard to the steam required to be kept up
in connection with the uncoupling of the
BrOOklyn'S engines, that it was the order
of the commander in chief while laying
off Santiago on the blockade. Was that
a written order ??
My recollection is that it was a bulle-
tin. The exact words L do not remem-
ber."
1.-The particular point was with re-
Spect to. the uncoupling of the engines
Was there anything in that order on this
subject and in pursuance OF which, that
was done?'
They ALL as 1 understand it, had their
engines uncOupled.''
TT is a general recollection of it
only?"
ward engines uncoupled all the time"
..Can you aid us in any way in identi-
flying the bulletin, from your impress
sion?''
mo. We could not have moved the
four engines with the steam we carried
1 know that we had an order about the
speed and it was in a circular bulletin,
I think
Captain Cook also was questioned
again concerning the voyage of the fly
ing squadron from Cienfuegos to San
tiago, as follows:
Did the flying squadron, when pro-
ceeding from Cienfuegos to Santiago,
proceed with all dispatch?"
Throwing out of consideration the
surrounding circumstances and condi-
tions that have already been testified to,
should say no..
Mr. Rayner: But putting in the sur
rounding circumstances and conditions,
you would say yes would you not?"
What do you mean by the surround
ing circumstances and conditions?"
''I mean that as l understand the
question, we could have gone from Glen
fuegos. to Santiago and arrived there
the next day after we left Cienfuegos,
with some if not all, of the larger YES
sels.'
What were the circumstances and
conditions you speak of?'
''The coaling conditions that existed
at the time We certainly could not
have made dispatch by turning back
What do you mean when you speak
of turning back?"
Il mean that we went to the eastward
of the two columns and then being un-
able to coal the Texas, as / have stated
before. we turned back for that purpose
If you had thrown that consideration
out we have made dispatch / mean in
this sense: We did not go in the quick
est possible time from Cienfuego to
Santiago"
Mr.. Rayner: Il think that either /
misunderstood the uestion or you mis-
understood both questions, especially
by the other side. / thought my ref
erence was from Cienfuegos to Santi-
ago, leaving out reference to the retro
grade movement.
Mr.. Hanna: Il did not intend to
leave that out at all.
Mr.. Rayner: Il know, but L want to
bring it in between Cienfuegos and the
point YOU reached south of Santiago
before you started on the retrograde
What were the circum-
if anv that imnede02''
Bad weather"
What was the condition of the Vixen
and Eagle and what effect did they
have upon the progress of the squad
ROM"
..The Eagle was unable to proceed on
account of the sea; unable to make
her speed
Judge Advocate: did the Vixen de-
lay the squadron at all on that first
Il think not. considering we were
running slow for the Eagle The Vixen
is much better sea boat
Mr.. Hanna: "One of the conditions
was the coal supply of the Texas?"
~Did the Texas have coal enough to
get to Santiago?"
MT Rayner: do you recollect any
accident to the Vixen on the voyage
between Cienfuegos and Santiago?'
Yes I think it was at the time she
signalled the blowing out of her gasket
manhole, or something of that kind"
Lieut. Commander Sears also made a
correction in his testimony for the pur
pose of explaining the disposition of
the golfers at night while Commodore
Sch1ey was in charge of the blockade
of Santiago. He said these vessels had
been sent a distance out each night and
Continued on Sixth Page-)