Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 September 1901 — SCHLEY INQIURY BRESUNED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCHLEY INQIURY BRESUNED

Board At Washington Trying to Get Facts. TESTIMONY IS IMPORTANT. One Witness, Admiral Higginson, Tells About the Engagement at Santiago— Says They Were Under General Orders and Followed Commander’s Signals. A decision that opinions of witnesses were not to be admitted as evidence was the chief feature of the Schley court of inquiry at Washington Friday. Four witnesses were examined, they contradicting each other on the question of the distance the “flying squadron" lay oft the Cuban coast during the time previous to Sampson’s arrival. The chief point investigated was the bombardment of the Colon while it was anchored inside the harbor within view of the blockading squadron. It was developed that Commodore Schley had his ships attack the Spanish vessel, but later withdrew. Whether or not it was posssible to coal the ships at sea was another question given considerable attention, one witness, Capt. Harber, holding that he believed the Texas could have taken on fuel without peeking shelter. Captain Chester declared the sea too rough, and said he had suggested a spot thirty miles away for a roaling station. The attendance was extremely small and at no time during the session was the hall at all crowded. There was nothing spectacular attending the opening of .the court, the members being attired in fatigue uniform. The witnesses, however, were in full dress uniform and carried swords, upon the hilts of which was tied crepe in memory of the dead pres-

ident. It developed beyond question that the court, which is now complete by the swearing in of Rear Admiral Ramsey, to whom no objection was made, is entirely impartial. This was demonstrated when it ruled out a question in which Rear Admiral Higginson was asked his - opinion as to whether every effort incumbent upon the commander-in-chief (Schley) was made to destroy the Colon, which was plainly visible in the mouth of Santiago harbor. Rear Admiral Higginson replied before he could be interrupted that he believed the Colon could have been destroyed when it lay at anchor in the harbor on May 31. This question and answer were ruled out by the court, after a long argument by Attorney Raynor, who cited a number of authorities against admitting mere opinions. Before hearing the arguments Admiral Dewey himself expressed a desire to have the opinion of Rear Admiral Higginson on this point, but when he learned that it was contrary to the ordinary practice he demonstrated his impartiality by directing that the question be withdrawn. Judge Advocate Lemly admitted that the weight of authorities was against admitting opinions, but at the same time contended that if the court desired it could obtain the opinion of witnesses. Admiral Higginson, commander in chief of the north Atlantic squadron, was the first witness called. He said that he had as captain commanded the battleship Massachusetts during the Spanish American war and that for a part of the time the Massachusetts had been a part of the “flying squadron.” of which Admiral Schley had been in command. He told of joining the fleet at Newport News, of going to Key West and then on the 22d of May of going to Clenfeugos, Cuba. Key West had been left on May 19, 1898, and Clenfeugos reached on the 22d. “What was then done to secure communication with the Cuban forces on shore,” Captain Lemly asked. , “Nothing to my knowledge,” the witness replied. “I did not see that anything was done, but I understood that information concerning the Cubans was received through Captain McCalla.” The witness also told of the fleet’s leaving Santiago for Key West on the night Of its arrival at the former place and of how after steaming westward for some time the vessels all, in response to Commodore Schley’s signals, returned and steamed to within two or three miles of the mouth of the harbor.

**What happened to cause the decision to return to Key West?" the witness was asked. “I don’t know,” was the reply, “.What was the, condition of the weather at the time for coaling at sea?” “It was not impossible to coal, I think.” “Did you have any conference with the commanding officer in regard to returning to Santiago after you had gotten on the way to Key West?” “None. We acted under general orders. All we did was to follow the signals of the flagship—the signals of the commander in chief.” Speaking of the conditions when Santiago harbor was again reached the admiral said that he could see well into the harbor and that he saw the Spanish ship Colon lying in the outer harbor. He did not remember seeing other vessels’, but the Colon was then 1,000 yards beyond Morro castle. The vessel had lain there until she was fired upon, which was done on May 31, and had then retired. Describing this engagement, Admiral Higginson said it was on the day before the arrival of re-enforcements under Admifal Sampson. He said that Admiral Schley had come aboard and said that he wanted "to go in and fire on the Colon.” “So we went in and fired on her,” continued the witness. He said the shots fell short of the Colon and that the Spanish shore batteries had in turn fired at the bombarding ships. In reply to questions as to what had been accomplished by the bombardment the witness replied that it had served to draw the Are of the Spanish shore battery and to give an idea of what it was composed of. “What idea did you get of its composition?” “I didn’t think it amounted to anything.” “Where was Admiral Schley during the bombardment?” “At one time he was With me in the conning tower, but most of the time he was on the outside of it. I was near him most of the time.” “■Describe the admiral’s manner in this engagement.” “I hardly know how to answer that question except to say that his manner was that of a commander-in-chief.”

BUILDING AT NAVY YARD IN WHICH COURT IS BEING HELD.