The Princeton union., 1901-10-24
A CIVILIAN TBS7IFIES
STORY OF THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
TOLD BY CORRESPONDENT
GRAHAM.
SAYS COMMODORE WAS COOL
Witness Saw None of the Alleged

Description Of the Battle Of July
and the Part Played in 1t by the
BrookIyn-Other Witnesses Testify.
Washington, Oct. 23.-The Schley
court of inquiry opened with Lieuten-
ant 3. w. Wells, Jr., who was Com
modore Schleys flag lieutenant dur
ing the Spanish war, still on the stand.
but he was soon displaced to allow
YcOman Albert V. Mason, who had
written the Brooklyn's log for the
period covering the Santiago cam
paign, to testify Mr.. Mason explained
the erasures in the log entry referring
to the Brooklyn's turn on the day of
the battle off Santiago. He was fol-
lowed by Mr.. George E. Graham, who
as an Associated Press correspondent
was with Commodore Schley during
the entire campaign. Mr.. Graham's
testimony covered all the principal
events of the campaign and discussed
especially the bombardment of the
Spanish ship Colon on May 81 and the
battle off Santiago on July 3. Mr..
Graham testified to hearing a conver-
sation between Commodore Schley
md Captain Sigsbee when the latter
came aboard the flagship Brooklyn off
Santiago May 26. He said he had
distinctly heard Captain Sigebee tell
the commodore that the Spanish fleet
was not inside the harbor at Santiago.
Mr. Graham also stated that Admiral
Schlcy had told him that the object of
the bonbardment of May 81 was to
develop the Spanish land batteries,
and he said that the range was fixed
at 1000 or $500 yards, in order to
draw their fire. He further said with
reference to the events of this engage
ment, that he had heard no conversa-
ton in which Commodore Schley had
said that the officers in their white
uniforms were conspicuous Objects
Mr.. Graham detailed a conversation
between Commodore Schley and Cap
tain Robley D. Evans, which took
place after the Santiago engagement
There was some discussion over the
admissability of this statement, but
the court decided that any conversa-
ton between the commodore and any
one else bearing upon the case was
admissible.
No Written Orders of Battle.
The examination of Lieutenant
Wells was conducted by Captain Lem
1y. The witness said there had been
no written or printed order of battle,
but that on the day before Cienfuegos
was reached some special instructions
were sent to the ships by the Scorpion.
The next witness was Albert V.
Mason. He was the writer of the
Brooklyn's log during the Cuban cam
paign. Regarding the change in the
account Of the battle off Santiago he
said the log had been changed at the
instance of Lieutenant Hodgson
George Edward Graham, the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent, was then
called. He recOunted the conversa-
tiol between Commodore Schley and
Captain Sigsbee on May rs. In reply
to Schley's question Have we got
them, Sigsbee?' Captain Sigsbee said:
''NO, they are not here. | have been
here for a week and they are not
here The captain said he had been
in very close and Captain Cotton had
been in and cut cable and he was
positive the Spanish fleet was not
there.
Nr. Graham was aboard the Massa-
chusetts during the bombardment Of
the Colon on May 81. He was with
the commodore all of the time during
the reconnaissance and did not hear
any of the alleged conversations be-
tween the commodore and Higginson
anh:cPotts.: :,AHe also said he did not
hear Schley say anything about "pot-
ting the: Co1on.''
Describing the battle of July
Mr.: Graham said that Commodore
Schley had gotten to a position in
front Of the coming tower as soon as
the nose of the first Spanish ship an
pcared.
Continuing the witness said that by
the time Brooklyn completed her turn
land he thought the turn had been
continuously to the right the three
leading Spanish ships had emerged
from the harbor.
Schiey Was Absolutely Cool.
He said the commodore stood all the
time on the side of the fire so that he
could see what was going on. He was
absolutely cool and sent continuous
messages to the men to cheer them
up. When Ellis head was shot off he
wiped some of the blood from his own
person and as the men picked the
body up to throw it overheard, when
the rest stood Mortified, he calmly
said: Don't throw that body over.
Take it below and we will give it
Christian BURIAL" When the Viscaya
went ashore the commodore went into
the coming tower and himself called
down the tube to the men below:
They are all gone but one. 1t all de-
pends on you, boys"
The witness said the commodore
was jovial and good natured at all
times and that the only trace of
anxiety or excitement he ever saw on
his face was when it looked as if the
Colon might get away.
Dennis J. Cronin, orderly to Com.
modore Schley, corroborated Mr.. Gra-
hams testimony regarding the CONVEX
sation between the commodore and
Captain Sigsbee May 26.
Lieutenant Commander Rush. watch
and division officer of the BROOKLYN.
described the Brooklyn's "loop" and
thought it necessary movement. He
III.