Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-17

Washington, Oct. 1.-THE first new
witness called before the schey court
OF Inquiry today was Lieut. Commander
T. D. Griffin, who, as lieutenant, was
the senior watch officer on the Brook
lyn during the war with Spain. After
MIN came number OF the junior OH
GERS who served on the Brooklyn dur
ing that campaign. As usual before any
OF the new witnesses were summoned a
number OF former witnesses were called
Tor the purpose Of correcting their for
mer testimony
In had been the intention OF Admiral
schley's counsel to PROFOUND yesterday
number Of questions 90 the court
which II was proposed 10 put to the
witnesses for the purpose of determln-
ing to what extent Admiral SIMPSONS
connection with the present inquiry
could begUne intO,and II was not deci ed
until the beginning OF the afternoon
session TO Withhold the questions. This
decision was then reached largely be-
cause 1t was believed that the lnforma-
ton Intended to be elected by the ques-
lions could be secured I'm more direct
and certain way by Lieut.. McCauley's
testimony regarding signals Of July 3.
The questions which had been formu-
lated for presentation previous to Mr.,
McCauley's taking the stand, related
principally to the movements OF ADJ
mlral SIMPSONS flagship, the New
York. on July 3. the day Of the battle
on Santiago. and especially 10 the sig
mails OF that day directing the fleet 10
disregard the fiagship's movements. IL
Is still the intention to present other
questions involving Admiral simpsons
relation TO the inquiry before the close
Of the case. II seems probable that
their presentation VIII be deferred until
q time shortly before the beginning Of
Admiral Schley's testimony
CALLED TO CORRECT TESTIMONY.
The first Of Yesterdays witnesses
called for the correction OF testimony
was Commander Mason and offer him
came in succession Lieut. Commander
Sears Lieut.. McCauley aud Lieut.
Webster Quite a number OF addition
al questions We're addressed 70 Lieut..
Webster By Mr. Hanna Replying the
witnesses said that he had seen signal
lights at night on the shore while iy-
ing of shore at Santiago Mr. Hanna
asked
while the vessels were on blockade
al Santiago from May % 20 the 3lst, IN
elusive were you able during the night
20 distinguish points on shore readily
while YOU were on Wa,ch2'
The witnesf replied In the negative
Could YOU make out Aguiieres and
Cahanas2"
- was not familiar with the coast
az that time and would not have known
those points under any circumstances
but II was so dark think / could have
seen them"
'What was the background"
"The high hills back % Santiago ala
give rs good points later when we were
familiar with them. We could see
them quite readily"
could you discover the shore line at
nlght?"
mot the line Of breakers, II there
were any"
Gould you see the vessel on the in
ner picket line az night?"
mot without the aid Of searchlights,
on redirect examination Mr. Ray
nor asked Lieut. Webster concerning
the bearing Of the Iowa and the Texas
on the morning Of July 3, the beginning
Of the battle The witness said they
bore abaft the starboard beam Of the
Brooklyn. the Texas being 20 the right
OF the Iowa The BROOKLYN was headed
he said north or norih-northwest
In reply 10 another question by MT
Raynor he stated that after the surren-
der OF the Colon July he had gone
10 the forecastle 10 look for other ships
lie had only seen the Oregon and the
Texas The smoke Of other vessels was
visible but not the vessels themselves
LIEUT.. COM. GRIFFIN
When Lieut. Webster was excused
Lieut.. Commander Griffin was called,
lie gave details Of the Cienfuegos cam
paign. saying that the distance Of the
blockading line there varied from three
20 seven miles, being farther out at
night.
Speaking Of the voyage from Clenfue-
gos TO Santiago, The witness said the
weather was heavy and that there
was a short, choppy sea" lie also
said that the heavy sea had impeded
the fleet by delaying The smaller ves-
sells. especially the Eagle
Asked by Mr. Raynor concerning a
conversation between Commodore
schley and the commander Of the
Eagle the witness said
II was present when the conversation
took place. although ! cannot give the
exact words When the Eagle came
up astem OF the Broo. 'yn the commo.
dore hailed the comIsnding officer OF
that vessel and told him IN substance
ibet he could not delay the squadron
any longer On his account and that he
wanted him 20 proceed 20 Jamaica for
coal The commanding officer Of the
Eagle seemed very DESTROYS OF remain
ire with the squadron and expressed
sincere regrets al being Obliged 10 part
company with the ilying squadron
"ytbat Kind Of weather was the Eagle !
making on Nav POI when that CONVEX
sation took placer"
"As expressed q. heavy weather a
short choppy sea, and the Eagle and
Viven were both pitching considerably
"pid Won hear the commanding OIL |
cors N the Eagle talk to the commo-
dore about coal on that occasion.
II DO not remember .,
"You heard the whole conversation Y !
o." 5ld but ! do not remember that |
be asked as regards coaliug at sea u |
,gon,d not have been possible, at least
4, could not have been safe
Al santiago the witness said that the
tJoctadlng line was a mile or two |
closer IN nj night than during the day /
"a m Nav % the feet stood out three /
~ four miles. There were picket boats
inside me line but he dld not see them.
"Did Won ever have any conversations
,,fth gciiav July 9, relating 90 me
prCoklvn Going TO Guantanamo for
In uh-tance J mentioned the iact
,h.t other shlrs OF the squtdron were
4, me habit OF following % Guaniqnl-
30 for coal. We had had some ditl-
nifty in cnaling IN the open on sanu-
go The commodore replied that he
bsd been asked on several occasions
h no would Ike 20 go 20 Guantanamo
,sbere he could coal quietly and give
,ns officers and men a rest from the
strain OF blockade.
"JIe sa,a that his answer was In each !