Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-22
SEVERAL THEORIES
In Regard to the Naval Command at
Honolulu.
ORDERS MADE BY THE PRESIDENT
Speculation as to Commodore
KirkIand's Orders.
IS A COUP CONTEMPLATED?

There Is a mysterious movement on foot
in connection with the command of the
naval forces at Honolulu. Commodore
kirkland, who was recently ordered TO that
duty, has been suddenly recalled, but why
no one on duty at the Navy Department to-
day seemed willing to say. Admiral Irwin,
who is now in command of the Pacific sta
ton, will retire on the 10Th proximo, and
several weeks ago Commodore Kirkland
was detached from command Of the League
Island navy yard Philadelphia, and ordered
to proceed to Honolulu to relieve Admiral
Irwin, in time to permit the latter to reach
home before retirement His orders re-
quired Commodore kirkland to take the
steamer leaving San Francisco on the 18th
instant and he made arrangements ac-
cordingly. He reached San Francisco in
time to receive sealed orders to repair at
once to Washington city, to report his ar
rival to the Secretary of the Navy and to
await orders
Orders by the President.
The orders were sent by direction of the
President several days ago. and reached
Commodore Kirkland just in time to inter-
cept his departure on the Hawaiian steamer
of Saturday last. The action was closely
guarded as a great secret, and the first init
nation the public had of it was a brief
press dispatch from Denver saying that
Commodore Kirkland passed through that
city on Tuesday of this week on his way to
the coast, to assume command of the Bra
lillian squadron.
Navy Department officials Silent.
Secretary Herbert, Assistant Secretary
McAdoo and other officials were asked to-
day if Commodore kirkland had been re-
called. if he still in this country, and if
he had been assigned to the South Atlantic
station. They were all very sorry it was
so, but really they were not at liberty TO
answer any of the questions. One official
said he did not understand the reason for
keeping the matter quiet, unless it was that
the President desired, and he had no
knowledge on that point
Some Theories.
Naturally, in the absence of definite in
formation, C, nsderable speculation is in
dulged in over the situation, and all sorts
of runors are in circulation. According to
one, Commodore Kirkland has been in
secret consultation with the President in
regard to Hawaiian matters which
neCessitated delay in his departure, but
he is now on his way to San Francisco to
execute his original orders. The advocates
of this theory say that the President pro-
poses to establish coaling station at
Pearl river harbor without delay, and he
wanted to give Commodore Kirkland spe-
cifc il structions on that point. The fact
that Commodore Kirkland has been recalled
from the command of the Pacific station
explodes that theory so far as he is con-
cerned. There may be something in the
story about the coaling station at Pearl
river, but, If so, the Presidents plans in
that respect will be executed by some
other officer.
Not in sympathy With His Policy.
Another story is that the President tas
revoked Commodore Kirkland's orders on
the ground that he is not in sympathy
with the administrations policy of restor-
ing Queen Liluokalani. and has decided
to send him to Brazil instead Persons
advancing this theory point out that Ad-
miral Skerrett was relieved of command
at Honolulu and sent to China because
| he was believed to be in sympathy with
the annexation movement
As TO Admiral Walker.
The latest and most plausible theory is
that the President has reconsidered his
original plan of naval assignments. and
has now decided to place Rear Admiral
]. G. Walker in command Of the Pacific
station and to transfer Commodore kirk
land to the South Atlantic station Such
action would be generally accented as in
dicating that the President proposes some
radical movement in Hawaii and prefers to
place its execution in the hands of Admiral
Walker, as an officer of extreme caution
and capability. 1t may be in connection
with the establishment of a naval coaling
station under the Hawaiian grant or IL
may be something of far greater import
ance. Another view of the same Il cory
not quite so complimentary to Admiral
| Walker is that he is to be sent away from
Washington as to prevent his eNertinr
le2iSla N
position to the wishes of the administra-
ton.