The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-09-13
TWO ADMIRALS.
Story Of the Alleged DiSaSreementS Between
Naval Officers.

PORTLAND tMe.), Sept 12.-The Evening
Express to-day, over the signature of its
editor, prints the following: Daring the
stay of the White Squadron at Portland, an
opportunity was afforded me to learn
the facts in connection with the reports
which have been sent from certain quarters
concerning an alleged trouble between
Rear-Admiral Ghela lardi and Rear-Admiral
John G. Walker. My informant was an
officer of the squadron who was close per-
sonal friend of both officers, and thoroughly
conversant with the entire affair from be-
ginning to eud. The public already knows
these reports are entirely false, and yet they
are still going the rounds of the press to the
annoyance of the Navy Department and
detriment Of the service. 81 was present
at the Port-au-PriHce meeting," said the
officer, "and L will tell the story Just as 1t
happened" The first article appeared origi-
nally in the New York Times, and the
reason for this will be apparent when the
story unfolds. The New York Times story
tells how Admiral Walker at Port-au-
Prince declined to acknowledge the flag of
the Senior Commander, Admiral Gherardi,
and reprimanded Captain Phillips of the
Atlanta for obeying the signals from the
Philadelphia, the flagship Of Gherardi, in
stead Of waiting the action of the Chicago.
Admiral Walkers ship.
II ID dlSO dlAFRcu llldt LubIt was CUtuutfSS
between the two officers recently at Bar
Harbor. The facts are as follows: Admiral
Gherardi had only his own shin - the
Phladelp lphia-with him. He could not
salute himself By the naval regulations,
when he gave a signal to lower sail it
should have been repeated by the Chicago,
as Walker was then the executive officer,
before being obeyed. The Atlanta was in
too much of a hurry, and Phillips was or
dered TO the Chicago to be notified that he
must be less careless. Admiral Walker did
visit Admiral Gherardi. because he
brought him dispatches appointing him
Commissioner to cOufer with President
Hippolyte. The only difference between the
two admirals was that Gherardi wanted the
fleet with him, while Walker urged that
HippOiyte might take the presence of such
fiercs display as threat, and thus refuse
TO negotiate. This Is Just what HiDDOlyte
did do. Gherardi acknowledged his error
and Walker sailed away.
At Bar HarbOr the White Squadron, on
arrival, was signaed by Admiral Gherardi
to anchor at discretion, and before the or
der was transmitted by the Chicago to the
White Squadron each vessel was directed
by Admiral Walker as to anchorage. Owing
to preparations for a reception on board the
Philadelphia, Admiral Gherardi failed to
send launch to Admiral Walkers flag
ship, as required by the regulations, and
this Admiral Gherardi afterward explained
hustle of preparations. Admlrals Gherardi
and Walker observed every courtesy posi-
BILE toward each other and were good
friends.
AS to the source Of these reports, it is a
fact that the Times some time ago sent to
General Tracy an offer to gradually change
its policy and support him. and finally the
Administration, provided General Tracy
would give the Times the news of his de-
psrtment day ahead Of all other papers.
This the Secretary refused. Then orders
were issued at the Times office to attack
the department but not the Secretary. The
Assistant Secretary, Solely, was selected
as victim, but no crevice could be discov-
cred in his armor and he was dropped.
Then orders were given to attack Gherardi
and Walker and you know the rest. The
letters to the Times were written by an
officer in the United States Marines and
stationed on one of the ships, he being a
representative Of the New York Times.
That is the whole story from beginning to
end. My information, rank and standing
renders the statement entirely above contra
diction." And he is in a position to know
the entire truth. When Secretary Tracy
was fogbound at ROckland the Express
wired representative to interview him on
the subject. The Secretary said: There
is not word of truth in these reports. l
was in Bar Harbor all the time and no such
thing existed. The statements are false
from beginning to end"