Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-30

Ex-secretary whitney Thinks They shoul<
Not Live ~ the Foreign Stations.

Ex-secresary whitney Thinks They shessl
Not Live n the Foreign stations.
Ex-Secretary Whitney has been interviewed
by the New York SUN, In view Of the recent
tragedy at Yokohama. regarding the sxps-
diency Of having the headquarters Of our
naval squadrons at snch points that the ofhcers
can take their wives and families with them on
cruises.
''when took charge OF the Navy Depart
ment" he said, "a difficulty Of considerable
dimensions, caused BY an act Of . naval on
Ger bearing upon this subject had stirred
my predecessor TO anger. Then, 90 nov,
the families Of oficets detailed 10 certain
stations were in the habit Of living st the
stations In the case refer 10 quite . colony
OF officers families had been formed Of one
OF the European ports. A great deal OF gossip
developed among the women and the wife 81
an onicer was foolish enough 10 criticize
sharply some action Of Secretary Chandler.
Her remark was in some way repested 90 hin
and II greatly incensed him. He thcreupon
issued an order forbidding the wives Of officers
from Following them TO their stations His
power TO enforce such order was, perhapa
open TO question, but IL interfered considers-
bly, with the custom. One officer who allowed
his wife to follow him was transferred from
the desirable European station 20 the objec-
tionable service on the Guinea coast FORGET
the name OF this officer. but he held Q very
high rank-was, think, admiral or CONNIE
dore.
1T would be all right perhaps, 10 allow ~
wives OF officers TO congregate at certain port
which are headquarters OF the sQusdrons IL
| they were all practical. sensible women. I'm
| fortunately, all women are neither practical
nor sensible. For every woman who would Be
prudent, reasonable and easily satisfied there
| would be a dozen who would find fault and
/ talk too freely. To have the women and chh-
dren aboard ship would be even more harmful
| In the first place, their presence would destroy
| discipline. You cannot have proper discipline
with women and children around, and disci-
pine is the most necessary detail of naval life.
Again, while II IL true that judicious wife OF
the commanding officer might beautify and
| elevate the tone Of the cabin and ameliorats
the rigors OF life aboard ship. yet IL Is quite -
possible that the woman will lack tact and
judgment, and endless chickering's and gossip
WAL result III other officers wives were i'd
mitted aboard also IL would almost certainly
result an lealousies and worriments. The Of
n hcers minds would never be free from do
mesuc cares, when they ought 10 be devoted
entirely to their official duties Furthermore,
there is no room on any Of our ships for wo-
men. however II may have been in the early
days OF the navy, when wooden sailing vessels
were used, at present the space on all our ships
has TO be greatly economical Take the
cruiser New York, for instance. Her officers
and crew number 40O, mon. They have less
room for their personal use than nv house
affords. IL You were to investigate you would
find that they have to crowd great deal 10 find
room for all. Ii would be impossible TO put
women and children into such crowded quar-
|, tiers.
The present arrangement divides the ma
Jority OF the naval vessels into a number Of
squadrons for different stations. They are the
north Atlantic station, the south Atlantic sta
ton, the Asiatic station and the Pacific station.
, The rule IN sending ship to any Of these is TO
make the detail tor a period of three years.
This gives rise TO great deal of fayoritism
and when was at the head of the navy found
that one Of the most difficult problems. I'm
der our system, however, il is impossible 10
avoid it. The most desirable station IN my
time was the European, the divisions being
somewhat different then. This gave the Of
Ulcers practically three-years' trip to Europe
under the most favorable circumstances. The
ships made their rendezvous at some interest
ing point with plenty Of society and oppor-
tunity Tor enjoyment The least desirable sta
|, tion rs that along the South American coast
known as the south Atlantic station, with littls
to see do and a great deal OF uncomfortable
weather. The officer who is sent to the Euro
pean stations considers that he has three
years holiday, while the one VINO goes 10 South
America looks upon his wort rs being in the
= nature OF punishment In addition, some
} ships were detailed for special service. have
considered the subject, and if / we're 70 have
the say L would maze complete change in to
, details.
Instead Of sending one ship here and others
. tuere Wouio senu tnem ali around the world.
4 In three years time each vessel could make q
, careful, deliberate circumravigation, givins
4 each officer the opportunity 10 become fully sc-
! quainted with the various coasts bays and portz
= OF the world. There could then be no cry Of
: favoritism, for all would be served alike. Be
sides, the officers would be greatly liberalized
by the educating influence Of contact with diff
\ ferent peoples My idea would be to have them
? spend some time at the leading ports so that
: their knowledge Of the geography would be per
r fected by personal observation. There ID moth.
q ing like travel TO broaden man. Just compare
b the naval officer who has travelled from station
! to station to the army officer whose time hss
a been spent chiefly in camp On the frontier.
a do not wish to say anything dispsraging TO the
. army, but the difference between these two ID
a apparent at glance. The officers Of the
navy do not really suffer very much
through being separated from their families
AT present they are Joined usually by their
Q families at the headquarters of the north
n Atlantic, Pacific or Asiatic station, and they
n see n great deal OF them while the vessels ars
a not cruising. IL my plan we're adopted they
a could meet at the leading ports, where the ves
\ | sells would remain for some time. As far n
a the officers concerned I should say tina,
= they like to have their families meet them.
q The expense OF living abroad 10 not great and
4 suppose that is one Inducement Even IL the
= officers could not see their families during these
a cruises the hardship would not be SO very great
q for the sea duty il slternated with shore servics
= of the same duration, such as service in the
= navy yards, the Naval Academy and the nava
. bureau at Washington. My experience proves
q that the officers always ready to take their
! turn at duty after the three years Of shore
. duty, and know Of no instance when an ON
|, Ger attempted to eyade this"