New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-18
MEADE LIKELY TO BE TRIED.
THE IDEA OF A COURT-MARTIAL NOT
GIVEN UP BY THE NAVAL AU-
THORITIES.
SECRETARY HERBERT LOOKS UPON HIS WORDS
AS CONSTITUTING A GRAVE OFFENCE-THE
PRESIDENT. TOO. HOLDS THAT THE AID
MIRAL MUST BE HELD TO
STRICT ACCOr' INABILITY.
[py TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNE.I

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l
Washington, May 1.-THE idea Of ordering Ad-
miral Meade before a court-martal TO answer the
charge Of having violated Naval regulations has
not been abandoned by the authorities. Definite
information to this effect was obtained tonight
The conclusion Is somewhat surprising. In view OF
the fact that the Admiral has declined TO say to
the Sscretary OF the Navy whether the words re-
Gently published In The Tribune were actually his,
and that his conviction would not follow should ne
refuse to commit himself before court.
Nevertheless the authorities are still celebrating
over the Admirars violation Of Naval discipline ana
II now seems likely that he VIII be ordered before
a court The Admiral Is stili In Washington STOP
ping ~ the Army and Navy club. He II on walt
ing orders, but VIII COON 80 on leave pay Appar-
entity he Is not disturbed at the prospects ~ MS
case lie declines 10 discuss the sltuation publcIy
or privately. or 10 refer 10 the Incidents mat prs
cciei or followed his detachment from the com
mand of the North Atlantic station, u appear"
from inquiry among officials ~ the Nayy Depart
ment that Hocfctary Herbert regards tho onenc"
Of Admlrnl Meade ns u grave one which Should not
be- parsed over. lie ls ~ the opinion that " IN"
words Of the Admiral are overlooked dlrclplln" VIII
be- nt nn end IN the senior gfndea. for precedent
viii be established under which the rcnr-ndmirnIs
can freely cfi,cisr their supcrlors without rear
Of punishment Such condition OF hnnIrs wouIh
be- dcplorabc. and It must not come about. IN IN"
Official decision.
The President IL now reported to agree with sec
rctary Herbert and believe that for the sake or
Naval discipline Admiral Mende must II possible.
be held 10 "A strict accountability II has been aS-
s,ined that the Naval authorities would not order
n court for the reason that conviction was un-
likely but that a severe rebukc TO Admiral Meade
would be- written and that n, order for his retire
ment would follow. Remembering the experience OF
the Navy Department In the case or Commanher
Coghlau who declined TO testify against hirnseit
before n court no other course seemed open.
II appears however. that the Secretary or the
Navy believes he has no right under the law 10 re-
buke a commissioned officer. He looks upon re-
buke as practically reprimand. and that sort OF
punishment he thinks. should only be iniilcteu as
the result Of sentence or court .arua' st -
but that OF Mr. Herbert VIII controi OF course ~
can he said therefore, that no rebuke VIII be ad-
mInistered to Admiral Meade unless court-mar
tial should direct such "A course
Officers OF the Navy Department are reticen.
when asked upon what charge the Admiral would
be brought to trial They DO not no" nss,nie & ~, -
say for what offence or when. one oiicer IN In.i- :
mated to-day that the real reason In Withdrawing
the authority OF the Admiral to go ABROAD was Una
he might be In a position readily to be summoned
before n court He said that the public might ex-
pect to hear OF n court being ordered In a few day
one point In Admiral Meade's case about "hcn
there Is msapprehension relates to the rights or
retired officer The idea has gone out tnat a re,
tired officer has greater privileges under NavaI
superiors than officer on the active list. ouch -
not the case. Under the regulation the status OF
retired officer is changed with respect 10 authority
and nav but he Is less amenaDe 10 discipinc
than his brothers on active service. The law, In
deed provdes that retired officers are required 10
live up 10 Naval discipline prescribed In the regti-
s,eer o express his convictions WHEN In retired HE
than when in command OF n squadron