The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-08
Coast of { uba

Washington, November 5.-The time
of the Schley court of inquiry was en-
tirely devoted today TO hearing argu-
ment in the case of Admiral Schley.
Mr. Hanna finished his argument in
behalf of the department which had
been begun yesterday and Captain
James Parker began, but did not con-
clude his presentation of the case for
Admiral Schley.
Mr.. Hanna today considered the re-
trograde movement, the bombardment
of the Colon and the charge made
against Admiral Schley of disobedience
of orders. Captain Parker had only
reached the coaling question when the
court adjourned. He defended the
conduct of his client at all stages of
the campaign so far as he went.
1t is expected that Captain Parker
will conclude his speech tomorrow
when Mr.. Rayner will begin.
Admiral Schley reached the court
room at an early hour and his friends
were gratified to find that the severe
cold with which he suffered yesterday
had greatly improved.
Mr.. Hanna continued his discussion
of the retrograde movement, saying
that but one explanation had been CIV
en- for it in Admiral Schley's dispatch.
namely the inadequacy Of coal supply.
There is" he said, mo suggestion OF
any other reason in this Dispatch
Mr.. Hanna then took up speciflca-
ton five Of the precept relating to the
diSobedience by Commodore Schley of
the orders of the department contained
in it's dispatch dated May 25, 1898.
Mr.. Hanna took issue with admiral
Schley that this was a suggestion and
not a. mandatory order. 80 far from
being suggestive, doubtful or under
certain are the terms of this order that
they approach the verge Of reproof,'
said Mr.. Hanna. Their incisive dis
tinctness is notable. so much so that
/ think few subordinate officers, hav-
ing turned their backs on a task to
which they had been assigned would
care to be arrested in such act by q
telegraphic order from 4 superior
couched in such terms"
Mr.. Hanna quoted Admiral Schley s
dispatch of May 9th in which he ex-
pressed regret over not being able to
| obey orders, saying that as it was
written after the Cotton telegram had
been received it had been an explicit
confession that the Cotton telegram
was an order. Commenting upon this
dispatch he declared that it was 1.-The
most remarkable one to be found in
the annals of the American navy"
Mr.. Hanna discussed at length the
coal supply. maintaining that it was
ample.
Specification No. was next consid-
cred. This requires an inquiry as to
whether every proper effort was made
TO capture the Colon as that vessel lay
in the harbor at Santiago. Mr.. Hanna
said:
"If the fire OF May 31st was intended
to destroy the Colon it was a total fail
ure. If it was intended as a reconnois-
ance it was an eminent success and
clearly demonstrated that if all the
ships available had been taken into ac-
tion the batteries could probably have
been very speedily silenced, and the
Colon, moored stem and stern, broad
side TO the entrance, in narrow chan
mel could have been destroyed withou,
damage to any OF the vessles of the
American fleet and further that a sec.
| ond vessel of the Viscaya class would
perhaps also have met a like fate''
Referring 10 the eighth specification
Mr.. Hanna said it did not appear that
| the flying squadron was withdrawn
| from Santiago harbor to a distance a.
| sea.
Mr.. Hanna said that beyond tn,
| Brooklyn's turn the battle Of Santiago
was not involved in the inquiry. Mr.
| Hanna said beyond peradventure tn,
progress Of the Texas was seriousl,
interfered with. Thus he argued,
battleship not only was imperiled, bu
delayed by the danger of collision a
this critical time. The loop OF tn
| Brooklyn was, he concluded, the onl,
movement OF that day that had calle,
| for any explanation.
Mr.. Hanna also discussed the report
ed colloquy between Commodore Schle
and Lieutenant Hodgson, which form
the tenth count in the precept in whicl
Admiral Schley was reported to hav
said during the turn Damn the Texas
| This remark, Mr.. Hanna said shove
a lack OF interest in another ship @
the fleet.
Mr.. Hanna concluded his speech q
2:55 p. m. having spoken about fou
and half hours
| CAPTAIN PARKER'S SPEECH.
Captain Parker, counsel for Admir-,
Schley, then began his address in sur
port OF Admiral Schiey. He stood .
distinct tones. 1T doubt" said Captaf
Parker, if the naval history Of tn
world presents or ever has presente
a case of the Importance and charac
ter OF that in which we have so lon
been engaged. / doubt II tribune
more exalted in the character OF tn
persons who compose II has ever "a
In Judgment upon q brother officer.
doubt II an officer, with the life-lon
character and standing and conduc
that Acmiral Schley has always dis
played, was ever called upon before
ask an investigation of his conduc@ =
q victorious commander of fleet
There is no accuser." he said, ''f
body is on trial, and yet the case
been conducted as though Commodo-
Schley were on trial We get IL, Il
the order OF the argument now bein
made bere. So that we are compelle
to consider the inquiry as a trial."
Taking up the events OF the cam