The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-03-13
JUST BEFORE RETIREMENT.
Were Very Eager for to Rank
as Rear-AdmiraIS.
SCRAMBLE FOR PREFERMENT
Erben, 1t Is Claimed, Has Not Been
Treated Fairly and Is Entitled
to First Choice.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE plan
whereby two rear-admirals in the navy
were to advance their own retirement from
active service, so that Comm odores Fyffe
and Erben might be enabled to retire with
the rank and pay of rear-admirals, has
fallen through. The two cOmmOdOres
named retire in July and September of
this year respectively, and in the regular
course of events they will go on the re-
tired list in their present grade. 1t is set
tied that Commodore Fyffe, at least. will
retire in July with his present rank.
Commodore Erben, whose regular retire
ment does not occur until September, has
not yet abandoned hope of reaching a
higher grade before retirement. In April
next the President will have the appoint
ment of two admirals in consequence OF
the retirement of Admiral Benham, conn.,
handing the BRAZILIAN feet, and of Ad-
miral Irwin. commanding the Pacific
squadron.
According to the usual practice in The
navy of prom otion by seniority, Commo-
dores Ramsey and Skerrett would naturally
succeed to these vacancies, but it is held
that The selection rests entirely with the
discretion of the President. This claim
has induced the friends OF Commodore
Erben to apply for his appointment as an
admiral to fill The vacancy caused By the
retirement of Admiral Benham. They
show by the records of the navy that Com
modore Erben is entitled TO this prefer
ence by reason of priority of service.
Admiral Walker. recently promoted. and
Commodore Ramsay entered the service
the same day and were promoted to vari-
Gus grades Cd the same dates up to the
grade of captain. which Admiral Walker
reached five months in advance of Cornmo-
do:e Ramsay. These two officers entered
the service as midshlpmen in 1850.
Commodore Erben entered the service as
midshipman In 1S4S. nearly two years be-
fore the officers named and was senior to
them in rank up to the reorganization of
the navy just after the war. in July. 1866,
when Erben. Skerrett. Fyffe and Stanton
were passed over the Interests of Walker
and Ramsay. who were appointed CON-
manders over their heads and have kept
above them on the list in various higher
grades ever since. The friends of CON-
modore Erben contend that he was not
fairly treated when Walker and Ramsay
were jumped over his head, and claim to
have the written admission of those gen.
tlemen TO that effect.
Admiral Walker has always resisted the
claims of Commodore Erben for prefer
ence in this matter. 1t is understood.
however, that Commodore Ramsay has
frequently expressed the opinion that
Commodore Erben had not been justly
dealt with. 1t is therefore assumed that
he will offer no objection to the propo-
sition to make Commodore Erben rear
admiral on the retirement of Admiral
Benham on April 10, especially as even
then he (Rsmsay) could be promoted on
the retirement of Admiral Irwin five days
later. Commodore Skerrett. who is next
in line to Ramsay, will undoubtedly op-
pose this plan for the reason that it will
postpone his promotion from April, on the
retirement Of Irwin, to September, on the
retirement of Erben. Commodore Skier
rett, who was recently in command of the
Pacific station, is now in command of the
Asiatic station. Commodore Erben is in
command Of the European station. The
Chicago, which is his flagship and the only
ship on the station, was al Smyrna at last
reports. Comm odore Kirkland will sue
coed Admiral Irwin in command Of the
Pacific station. Commodore Stanton will
succeed Admiral Benham in command of
the South Atlantic station. Commodore
Meade will succeed Commodore Stanton in
command of the North Atlantic station.
and Commodore Selfridge will probably
succeed Commodore Erben in command of
the European station.
Admiral Walker, who is president Of the
board of inspection. will succeed Captain
Phythian as SUPERINTENDENT of the Naval
Academy in June next. and Commodore
Ramsay will probably continue on duty as
chief OF the Bureau Of Navigation until
his retirement.