The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-05
ARGUMENT HAS BEGUN Attorney Hanna Begins
 His Speech. SCHLEY AGAIN ON STAND Makes Corrections in Report
 of His Testimony.
Effort to Introduce New Witnesses for the Applicant Proves Failure-sigsbee Corrects His
 Previous Evidence.

of Inquiry reached the argument stage a' the beginning of the afternoon session today. The morning session was devoted to listening to Admiral Schley and Cap tain Sigsbee in making corrections in their testimony which had been given previously, and the introduction by cap tain Lemly of numerous documents bear ing on different phases of the contro- versy. Admiral Schiey did not make any material additions to his previous state- ments. but devoted himself largely to the clearing up of ambiguous pointa in his evidence.
 An effort was made to introduce two new witnesses who were expected to give testimony In Admiral Schley's behalf concerning the controversy as to what information Captain Sigsbee communi- cated to Admiral Schley off Santiago One of these witnesses was Frank B. Richards and the other, George Lynch, both of New York and both newspaper correspondents. who were on duty In Cuba and in Cuban waters during the war with Spain. Mr. Lynch was on the press boat Somers N. Smith and MT. Richards on the Premier. They were to have testified concerning the meeting of these vessels with the St. Paul, of which Captain Sigsbee was in command. The court, however, decided not to hear thenf'
 The opening speech of the argument in the case was made in behalf of the Gov ernment by E. H. Hanna, assistant to the Judge Advocate. He gave his pre- sentation of the case a few minutes aI- ter the court convened at o'clock and when court adjourned, two hours later' he had not covered more than half or the ground involved in the controversy.
 Mr Hanna began his presentation of the case by stating that in what he wish- ed to say he would like to accomplish two objects. The first of these would be to make his address brief and terse, and the second to present careful and exhaus- tive citation of the evidence adduced. He would, he said, take up the clauses Of the precept and present the testimony bear ing on them in the order in which they appear in the precept.
 He began by referring to the fact that in May. 1896. the coast of the United States were menaced by the Spanish fleet. This. he said, was a critical time. He told of the arrival of the flying squadron at Key West and a number of prelimin- ary orders to Commodore SchIey. speak ing of the run of the flying squadron from Key West to Cienfuegos, MT. Hanna claimed that the trip was not made as expeditiously as possible. He cited the fact that the Iowa, which went by way of Havana, made much better time. MT. Hanna called attention to the fact that the log of the Texas showed that she had steamed fourteen and a half knots on the morning of May 2.
 The Brooklyn's log showed that she made ten knots on the 22d. MT. Hanna claimed that these facts showed that the souadron must have been a considerable distance from the entrance to the harbor when 1t stopped on the night of the Ast:
 Mir. Hanna related the particulars or the meeting between Commodore Schley and Captain McCalla as the former was on his way to Cienfuegos.
 "Captain McCalla," he said, did not know that Commodore Schley was on his way to Cienfuegos, while Commodore schley did know that McCalla had been there Under such circumstances, he con- unued. the ordinary rules governing the intercourse between senior and junior officers did not pertain.
 The meeting with Captain Chester of the Cincinnati was also referred to and the circumstance that notwithstanding that he had information to impart, he was taken aboard the Brooklyn and the
  twenty-five minutes to permit conver- sation with him on the part of the Com modore.
 This incident was contrasted with the failure to confer with McCalla, and com ment was made upon the delay in pro- ceeding to Cienfuegos.
 MT. Hanna also referred to the Admi- ral at Cienfuegos. of the reports or tne guns heard by Admiral Schley and of the meeting with the British steamer Adula.
 MT. Hanna then read the order of Adr niral Sampson to Commodore Schley, dated May 19 1898, directing the latter to take steps to prevent the enemy from continuing work on Qualifications at Glen fuegos Ut does not appear" continued Mir. Hanna. that any steps were taken to prevent work on these Notifications. Tn fact. this order was not. so far as the testimony shows, in any way regarded No gun was fired at Cienfuegos by the flying squadron for any purpose except by Captain McCalla, who obtained per mission to knock down a block house some miles from the entrance to the har- Dor''
 MT. Hanna said that as the time of leaving Cienfuegos was under order No. 3 telling Schley if he was ''satished that the Spanish fleet was not at Cienfuegos to proceed with all dispatch. but cautiously to Santiago"
 How was it posible?" said the speaker, fin view of this order to report to the Secretary of the Navy, as Admiral Schley did, that he would not move until the next day is inexplicable."
 He then stated that while Admiral schley had reported that he would not leave until the 18th, he did actually start on the evening of the 24th.
 Respecting the order that the flying squadron on leaving Cienfuegos should mask it's movements MT. Hanna said that this order was not carried out.
 This concludes the subject of the first md second specifications. said Mir. Hanna.
 He presented the following points cover- ng these specifcatinos, which he said he 1ad made in the form of inquiries: Fl Why the flying squadron was dilatory in arriving at Cienfuegos. 2-Why the squadron was held there after the receipt ,f Sampson's order written and dated off