 |
| Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley. |
 |
| USS Brooklyn. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Oct. 17, 1901.
OTHERS PRAISE SCHLEY.
His Coolness and Bravery Attested by Witnesses.
PROOF THAT HE WASN'T EXCITED.
When Yeoman Ellis Was Killed, Not 15 Feet From Where Schley Stood, He Prevented Body Being Thrown Overboard, and This In Thick of Fight.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.—The officers of Admiral Schley's flagship, the Brooklyn, occupied the attention of the Schley court of inquiry for the entire day yesterday. The proceedings began with the recall of Captain Cook and Lieutenant Commander Sears, both of whom made material additions to their former testimony, and they were followed in succession by Commander N. E. Mason, who was the executive officer of the Brooklyn; Lieutenant Edward McCauley, Jr., who was signal officer, and Lieutenant Charles Webster, who had charge of the forward gun deck battery of the Brooklyn during the battle off Santiago and was a watch officer on board that ship.
Captain Cook's new testimony related to the uncoupling of the Brooklyn's engines and to the voyage of the flying squadron from Cienfuegos to Santiago, explaining in some details the cause of the slow progress made on that occasion.
Commander Sears spoke again of the conversation reported as having taken place between himself and the officers of the Massachusetts in the wardroom of that vessel on May 31 in which he was alleged to have said that it had been difficult to get Commodore Schley up to that point of undertaking the bombardment of the Colon and he again denied that he had said anything reflecting upon his superior officer.
Commander Mason and Lieutenants McCauley and Webster all gave accounts of the engagement of July 3. Mr. McCauley recited in detail the signals made in connection with that historical event at the instance of Commodore Schley.
All these witnesses testified that the conduct of the commodore when under fire was cool and courageous.
Commander Mason said he had seen Commodore Schley under fire during all the engagement and that his general bearing and conduct had been excellent in every particular, the commodore having been "calm, collected and brave."
Lieutenant McCauley gave a list of the signals made from the Massachusetts while that vessel was being used as Commodore Schley's flagship May 31 and when asked whether any signal had been sent to the fleet to "Not go in any closer," replied "No, sir." He said he had had charge of the signals and did not remember such a signal.
Lending up to the battle of July 3, Mr. Rayner asked:
"What was the conduct and bearing of Commodore Schley on the day of the battle?"
"Perfectly cool and steady."
"Where was the commodore? What was his position when you saw him?"
"On the platform outside the conning tower."
"Give 'Em Hell, Bullies."
"Did he make any encouraging remarks that day to the officers on the ship that you heard?"
"He said: 'Give them hell, bullies.'"
"Did he say that more than once?"
"Yes, sir, several times."
"Can you give us any incident to show that he was not laboring under great mental excitement on that day?"
"When Ellis was killed, another officer and myself picked up his body and started to throw it overboard. The commodore saw us and said: 'Don't throw him overboard. Cover him up with something.'"
"Were you present when Ellis was killed?"
"Yes. sir."
"How near was Ellis to the commodore when he was killed, and to you?"
"He was standing right next to me. He was about 15 feet from the commodore, I should think."
Lieutenant Charles Webster followed Lieutenant McCauley. Asked if he had seen any suspicious movements on shore at Santiago during the evening of July 2, the witness replied:
"I remember being on deck on July 2 and seeing columns of smoke rising and apparently moving as though vessels were steaming in the harbor. Also in my watch I remember the burning of blockhouses to the westward of Santiago, which I reported to the commanding officer."
"What was the conduct and bearing of Commodore Schley in the different engagements and on July 3?"
"I never saw Commodore Schley during the engagement. I saw him immediately after the battle of July 3 and he was perfectly cool and collected."
Lieutenant Webster gave a brief account of the battle of July 3. He said that when the signal was given to clear ship for action he had run forward, having charge of the forward gun deck battery. He had then seen the Texas and the Iowa a little abaft of the Brooklyn's beam. When the engines were started the Brooklyn had headed directly toward the harbor, the helm being changed frequently until after the firing was begun when the helm was put hard aport. He estimated that the enemy's vessels were 1,400 to 1,600 yards distant. When the Brooklyn began its turn, and that after the loop was completed it was 2,300 yards, increasing to 2,800 yards, when the Viscaya turned in.
Speaking of the bombardment of the Colon, May 31, the witness said he had gotten the impression from this engagement that the shore batteries were stronger than they had been previously supposed to be. He thought after that time that those batteries were manned with 8-inch guns.
On cross-examination Captain Lemley had the witness read from the log of the Brooklyn an entry to the effect that the Brooklyn had steamed out at night. The judge advocate asked only a few questions on his own account and then a few for the court, relative to the positions of the ships during the battle, after which adjournment was taken.
Li Hung Chang.
NEW MANCHURIAN TREATY
Much the Same as the Old Convention. Li Hung Chang Working For Russia.
LONDON, Oct. 17.—The new Manchurian convention which has been the subject of negotiations between M. Paul Lessar, Russian minister to China, and Li Hung Chang, is on the same lines as the convention which Russia withdrew April 5," says the Pekin correspondent of The Times, "but is more cleverly worded, so as to save China's face.
"In consequence of previous disclosures a jealous secrecy has been observed but the important negotiations by which Russia seeks to legalize her occupation of Manchuria have been entrusted to Li Hung Chang, who can be better trusted to serve Russian interests that any other Chinese statesman.
"Prince Ching is indignant because he has been kept in ignorance, and both the Yang Tse viceroys have twice protested against the negotiations. The same powerful opposition that was employed before is again endeavoring to prevent the signature of the convention, but Russia's promise to restore the railway from Shan Hai Kwan to Ning Chwang is a powerful lever in the hands of M. Lessar."
Czar Nicolas II.
LOOKS AHEAD FOR WAR.
Russia's Great Preparations on Land and Sea.
SHIPYARDS ARE ALL BUSY.
Fighting Strength of the Empire of Nicholas is Being Constantly Increased—Scents a Clash With Japan and Proposes to Be Ready For Any Emergency.
The Russians are getting ready for an emergency, which means a war with Japan, and are increasing their navy and putting their army in fighting condition with great energy and at great expense, says William B. Curtis, writing from St. Petersburg to the Chicago Record-Herald. The army has recently been completely reorganized and provided with new equipments. The Russians unloaded 1,000,000 rifles of obsolete pattern upon the Chinese government and substituted new ones of long range, high power and small caliber. Those were Russian guns which the Boxers fired at the British embassy in Peking during the recent siege.
In numbers and fighting strength the armies of Russia and Japan are very far apart, but it must be considered that the battleground will be on the other side of the world from St. Petersburg, where Japan will be at home. Last year (1900) the Japanese army on a peace footing consisted of 87,847 men, while that of Russia numbered 1,264,200 always under arms. The first reserve of Japan was 70,000 men and that of Russia 760,000. The second reserve of Japan was 238,000 men, making a total force on war footing of 402,274. The second reserve of Russia numbered 1,476,000, making a total of 3,500,000 soldiers at the command of the czar. But both armies have been reorganized since these statistics were issued.
The same difference exists in the navy, Russia in 1900 having 370 vessels in commission and Japan 171, Russia 5,073 guns, Japan 1,471.
Russia has twenty-two first class battleships, twelve armored cruisers, eleven first class cruisers and 196 torpedo boats. Japan has six first class battleships, two armored cruisers, five first class cruisers and sixty-six torpedo boats. But these comparisons are not so significant when the geographical situation is considered.
The lowest estimate of the peace strength of the Russian army under the present reorganization since Jan. 1 is 42,000 officers and 1,100,000 men and the war footing of 75,000 officers and 4,500,000 men, which is a million more than the present numerical strength. When the vessels now under construction are completed, the Russian navy will be increased by 113 ships of all classes, including twenty-four battleships, twenty-two cruisers, forty-one gunboats, thirty-five torpedo boat destroyers and forty-five torpedo boats. Fifty submarine boats are also under construction, but they are experimental.
The Russian navy estimates are enormous and show a continuous increase. The following statement shows the appropriations for the last ten years in rubles, which are worth 55 cents in our money:
1892, 47,081,233 1897, 59,902,166
1893, 49,892,803 1898, 68,055,417
1894, 52,492,803 1899, 87,564,700
1895, 55,100,000 1900, 87,546,700
1896, 57,966,600 1901, 97,097,666
*Also a special appropriation of 45,000,000 rubles to be spread over a period of seven years.
This makes a total of 662,700,178 rubles, or $336,000,000 in American money.
The Russians are not only keeping their own shipyards busy, but are building vessels in France, Italy, Germany, Denmark and the United States.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Increase of Over a Quarter Million Pupils This Year.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.—About 21 per cent of the total population of the United States attend public schools and about 2 per cent of the rest attended private schools, according to the annual report of the commissioner of education. The grand total in all schools, elementary, secondary and higher, public and private, for the year ended July 1, 1900 was 17,020,710 pupils, an increase of 282,348 over the previous year.
Of this number the enrollment in public institutions supported by general and local taxes was 15,443,462. Counting in special institutions such as evening schools, Indian schools, schools connected with asylums, reform schools and other institutions more or less educational in their character, increases the total number by half a million pupils.
The statistics as interpreted by the commissioner show a uniform consensus of public opinion throughout the nation in favor of providing secondary education at public cost. Public high schools have increased from 2,526 in 1890 to 6,005.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
What Does It Signify?
What does it signify that Mr. Alfred Gwynn Vanderbilt, even though he be many times millionaire, has ridden in a four horse wagon from New York to Philadelphia in nineteen hours and forty-five minutes? Judging from the first pages of the metropolitan papers on the day following the exploit it was an event of consummate importance, even though Mr. Vanderbilt failed by three hours to make the trip in the time in which he declared that he "must and would" make it, despite the cost of horseflesh. Mr. Vanderbilt had six relays of horses, which were driven, panting and exhausted, to the utmost limit of their endurance. One of the overwrought animals dropped in its tracks, the coach proceeding to the next relay station with three horses, and how many were injured and ruined by the terrible strain is not recorded. But what did that matter? Mr. Vanderbilt had to get there and back in quickest possible time. Somewhat better record might have been made but that the vulgar truck wagon of a humble Jersey farmer was inexcusably in the way and the millionaire's coach was delayed by the collision. But Mr. Vanderbilt and the party accompanying him were conveyed across New Jersey and back in a vehicle drawn by horses in record breaking time and that was the all important matter.
But what of it? Was life saved or prolonged thereby? Was anything added to the world's store of useful knowledge? Was science advanced? Indeed, did this widely heralded exploit demonstrate anything in the line of wholesome and legitimate sport? It simply gratified the whim of a vain and callow young millionaire to see how fast he could make the wagon wheels go round and hang up a tooling record for others of his kind to follow.
Young Mr. Vanderbilt could have set a much better example for their emulation had he obeyed the legal precept which required his attendance as a juror on the day he made the sensational coaching trip and, instead of placing himself in contempt of court, performed his duty as a citizen of the government which protects him in the possession of his vast wealth.
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were adopted at the Prohibition county convention of this county:
WHEREAS, For the third time in our American history the assassin's bullet has laid low in death, the president of our republic and that without the slightest cause or provocation; therefore be it
Resolved, That we are burdened with grief over the brutal and dastardly assassination of the chief magistrate of our nation, and sincerely extend our sympathies to the bereaved widow and pray that God's grace may sustain her in this the most grievous affliction of her life.
Resolved, That we the Prohibitionists of Cortland county in convention assembled do unite with all true and loyal citizens of the nation in demanding the overthrown and suppression of anarchy and also to be effectual the most potent source of its existence the American saloon.
Resolved, That we most earnestly condemn any resort to mob law as revolutionary and subversive of the sacred principles of our free government and brand it as anarchistic, worthy of the dark ages.
Resolved, That since the constitution safeguards the rights of free speech and also guarantees to each citizen certain inalienable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and that all are made equal before the law, and that none shall be deprived of the same without due process of law; that to assassinate any citizen of this commonwealth without such process is in direct violation of its most sacred principals and savors strong of anarchy and is a sin against the divine law.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to Mrs. McKinley, a copy be given to the press for publication, and that they be placed on file with the minutes of this convention.
Respectively submitted, DR. S. HINMAN, REV. O. M. OWEN, PROF. B. L. BENTLEY, Committee.
WANTED IN CORTLAND.
Charged With Taking Articles from Boardinghouse.
Chief of Police Barnes went to Owego this morning to secure a man by the name of Neil Simons, who is wanted here on the charge of petit larceny, in taking a suitcase and other articles from his roommate at the boardinghouse of Mary J. Alexander, on Port Watson-st. The case was given to the chief a few days since, and Simons was traced to Newark Valley and from there to Owego, where he was detained by the officers. While in Cortland, Simons worked at Wickwires' factory.
NINETY DAYS IN JAIL.
After Many Attempts to Keep Sober Ernest Frank is Locked Up.
Ernest Frank, the horseradish vender, who for the past few months has been employed at the Kremlin hotel as a man of all work, was arraigned in police court last evening, charged with public intoxication. Frank is an old offender and has been given suspended sentences on several occasions upon promises to do better. The city judge on this occasion, however, was of the opinion that his promises were useless, so he was given ninety days in the county jail.
A week ago Frank was arrested in Homer on the same charge, but was given a suspended sentence by Justice E. W. Hyatt through the intercession of Mr. Allen of The Kremlin, who thought he could keep Frank sober. His fondness for drink, however, was more than a match for Mr. Allen's watchfulness, and he stole away and came back to the hotel yesterday thoroughly intoxicated. The officers were notified of his doings, and he was arrested.
BREVITIES.
—At the coming city election Oneida will vote on raising $50,000 for a city hall.
—A Geneva firm has purchased 100,000 barrels of apples in Missouri and has sent men to do the shipping.
—Dr. Henry Irving Van Hoesen of Truxton began his duties Monday as principal of the Tully Union school.
—The Cortland Praying band will meet Friday evening at the home of Mr. Frank Hopkins, 3 Pomeroy-st.
—Sheriff A. R. Overton is in the northern part of Pennsylvania today subpoenaing witnesses in cases that are to be tried in supreme court next week.
—David M. Pratt has been appointed postmaster at Elmira to succeed Melvin M. Conklin. Mr. Pratt is cashier of the Second National bank of Elmira.
—The Lehigh Valley R. R. Co. has greatly improved the entrance to Railway-ave., opposite its station, by placing several carloads of cinders therein,
—At a mass meeting of the students of Cornell university held yesterday afternoon resolutions against hazing and indiscriminate rushing were unanimously adopted.
—New display advertisements today are: Cortland Howe Ventilating Stove Co., Testimonial from W. F. Curtin, Carlyle, Ill., page 8; Opera House, "Next Door," page 5.
—The state convention of King's Daughters will meet in Buffalo Oct. 18-21 inclusive. Mrs. J. F. Bosworth and others will represent the Loyal Circle of King's Daughters as delegates.
—The Rev. W. W. Way of Grace church, will hold Episcopal services in the Pratt building in Dryden on Sunday next at 8:30 P. M. Mr. Way will officiate at the celebration of Holy Communion.
—It is said that the Lehigh Valley is to drop the red flag which it has used for a trade mark so long. It costs the company thousands yearly to put it on its cars and stationery and brings no financial returns.—Sayre Times.
—The board of directors of the Tompkins County Co-operative Fire Insurance company have elected the following officers for the coming year: R. G. H. Speed, president; Otis E. Wood, secretary; Merritt L. Wood, assistant secretary; George M. Boynton, treasurer; George B. Davis, attorney.
—The Conger Manufacturing company are turning out considerable fine work notwithstanding they have been working to a great disadvantage on account of the non-arrival of needed machinery. Last week they received orders for special machinery amounting to over $80,000. The large foundry is nearly completed and work will commence there at once. The new machinery for the other shops is being placed as fast as possible and the company will soon have one of the most modern and complete plants in the state.—Groton Journal.
No comments:
Post a Comment