New-York tribune., 1902-01-31
that day over ship except. to some extent his


The comment at this point contains a number Of
extracts the testimony to sustain this conten-
ton. Taking the Brooklyns signal book. 1t is said
that this showed that the Brooklyn gave only the
two orders Clear for action and CLOSE up" "A
meaere record, but it is the whole story The
commentators quote Lieutenant McCauley. the
Brooklyn's signal officer. that the first signal.
Clear ship for action. was hoisted by him "on
my own hook They assert that the feet had been
substantially cleared for action for over month.
and that what remained 10 be done on shipboard
was not done in pursuance of this order. They
quote Captain Clark to the effect that 1T was
standing order the Oregon, upon sighting the
enemy ito Immediately strike the alarm gongs for
clearing ship for action" which, they declare. was
a standing order. and consequently the oregon did
not signal from the Brooklyn. Other testi-
mOny is cited on this point, and then the order
Close up Is considered.
ORDER EXERCISED NO INFLUENCE.
The comment insists that this order was not seen
by any ship other than the Oregon. unless, per
haps. the Texas. and that It exercised influence
whatever on any vessel of the squadron. They also
quote Admiral Schley's testimony that the Brook
lyn's charge was made I'm accordance with the
original plan. OF the order "Close up they say:
So this order. the second of the two signa,ed t,ned
to the American fleet. was really formal also. and
was given in accordance with sampson,s s. orig orig,
a view of sinking the Spanish vessels In the en-
mirai scReRs own as sworn S5n testimony and is cor
robOrated by the time and circumstances under
other ships All the captains had been advised of
the plan Of battle and all closed sceGrdngy s2I1 ts
Brooklyn, and paid attention to this signal
'6 % reson as ed ndt ro that ship until after
all vessels had closed up. 1t is even more surPris;
schley issued no further feet order during the
progress of the battle.
The commentators next say: IF Commodore
Schey was in absolute command during the bat
he de Of authority. he
must have exercised some control over some of the
vessels participating" whereupon they take up in
detail the testimony OF the commanding officers on
this point and say:
Wainwright of the Gloucester said he saw
orders from the Brooklyn: Taylor, of the Indiana
SAID he signals from the Brooklyn. Evans,
any signal T. from h her did not manruyre in
to any sgns5 ne s from the e ead hut The The
received no orders.
Speaking OF this ship, the commentators declare:
Tho question is not so much of possible
Schley. in connection with the work OF that yes
that Admiral schiey did not during p' the battle in
amy way az & reG 9r d the e splendid b4a
Iddna sbd a. t"y Iowa and and eXfs The officers IN
solitary order from him.
Next. the commentators turn their attention to
what they declare persistent efforts by Scheys
attorneys to show that In manner the Oregon
at least under his during the battle, nrSt
by answering the signal Close up and after
ward by firing her 15-inch guns under signal from
the Brooklyn, and they say: But the attempt, as
the testimony to be quoted below shows,
failure" They quote, therefore, PASSAGES from
Captain ClarIs testimony in which he said. in re-
gard to the order ''Close up" that was a stand
ing order in the squadron. attack the enemy
once II they appeared and keep the heads of
the ships always toward the entrance and Il re-
member feeling of satisfaction that there an
order to close in, in case any accident had hap
pened-any colliding with other ships"
AS TO the alleged order from the Brooklyn d.
recting the Oregon 10 fire her 13-inch guns. the
commentators again quote from Captain Clarks
testimony where when asked II the guns
fired in pursuance of order from the Brooklyn,
the captain said: mo. sir: fired them after de-
liberating with the officers" and III they (the
Brooklyn) made a signal did not it,
The comment closes IN the following words;
The contention that the magnificent work OF the
Oregon or any part OF II. was done under orders
and obeyed even single order from Commodore
Schiey from the time the Spanish ships were
which surrender may fairly be taken as the close
OF the battle must be abandoned. and with II
of a claim that during the battle OF Santiago Com
functions of a commander-n-chief.
The weight OF the testimony is TO the effect
his flagship. the Brooklyn, wen. with the exception
OF the loop; But It also shows; not negatively but
control the operations OF the fleet in general
All this is established. not by theoretical deduc-
ton or expert or ineXpert opinion but by direct.
mony, given under oath by the AdmiraIs brothers
The plain truth of the matter. therefore. devel-
oped for the first time under the searchlight OF
s ss far sg {e qe re incidentally f Is that
the Texas and the Oregon concerned. not the
not the Thg Of shot was dome ndtr 1 the dren hf
ton or by the orders of Admiral schey during this