Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-15

The order book at the Navy Department shh
morning contained the following significant
orders:
"Capt. John r. Bartlett, detached from CON-
mand Of the Minnesota and ordered to COM
mand the Atlanta. per steamer Of the 2Sd
instant from New York.
"Capt. F. J. Higginson. detached from com-
mand Of the Atlanta upon the reporting Of his
relief and ordered 10 return home and wsit
orders."
Az INTERKsTINo STORY.
Behind these orders is an interesting story
Of how an officer attempted to thwart the pur-
poses Of the Secretary Of the Navy in complying
with Q request Of the Secretary Of State.
On the 9Th instant the Navy Department sent
q telegram TO Admiral Gherardi commanding
the naval review feet at New York, in the fol-
lowing words.
''send Atlanta to Greytown immediatsiy 10
protect American interests. There il now .
revolution in Nicaragua"
Admiral Gherardi replied by telegraph the
same day that the Atlanta needed coal
On the m Drning Of the 10th instant the d.
partment telegraphed the commandant Of the
New York navy yard as follows;
FURNISH coal to Atlanta with utmost dis
egram was sent to Admiral Ghersrdi:
Have Atlanta coaled with utmost dispatch
and have her sail ~ soon as coaled"
ANOTHER EXCUSE
At $50 o'clock the same night Telegram
was received from Admiral Gherardi, saying:
Tubes for Atlanta's boiler needed immedi-
ately"
The following morning 1.-THE llth) the depart
ment telegraphed Admiral Gberardi as follows,
eight boilers. six in perfect condition and two
defective. All can be used. The ship can 60
| around the world with two boilers,
| spare tubes for boilers have not been
delivered. Supply anything needed by Atlanta
from ship under your command at once r.
| larta must not delay account of tubes. Send
her 70 sea immediately"
The department is informed that the sub
stance OF this telegram was at once communi-
Gated to the commanding officer Of the Atlanta
PRIVATE TELEGRAM.
Notwithstanding its specific terms TO the
contrary. Commander Higgiuson, commanding
the Atlanta, the same afternoon sent the fol-
lowing private telegram to Engipeer-in-Chief
Melville at the Navy Department.:
PLEASE do not let Atlanta sail without put
ting boiler tubes on board We have two
| boilers out Of action from leaky tubes"
SERIOUS BREACH OF DISCIPLINE
Capt. Higginson evidently did not mean that
the Secretary or his assistant should have any
knowledge Of this telegram. II that was his
purpose it failed dismally. Outside of the re-
| quest ii made TO nullity the action of the
| Department in q matter Of great importance,
the manner of its sending was a violation Of the
| regulations OF the service He had no right 20
communicate directly with bureau officer
All his correspondence with the department
| should have beer. transmitted through Admiral
Gherardi and should have been addressed 20
the Secretary Of the Navy.
| 1t was u serious breach Of discipline for him
to communicate directly with a subordinate
| official This. however. is a matter of minor
consideration compared with his main deri-
election.
His summary relief from duty is due solely
to his efforts to delay the departure OF his ship
in direct contravention of the specific orders
of the Department. He viii be retired at Gray
town as soon as Capt. Bartlett gets there.
POSSIBLE FURTHER ACTION
Ii is said at the department that further 60
ton In the matter will depend altogether on
the wishes Of Capt. Higginson. He
may think that he has been unjustly
| treated snd desire an opportunity for
official vindicatiou- The only way to accom-
plish this is through a court of inquiry III he
asks for one on his return home he viii be &C.
commodated. otherwise the department win
take no further action