The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-15
ADMIRAL MEADE WAS HASlY
The Secretary Of ths Navy GIVts Out a
Statement in Regard to The AfiaIr.
THE OFFICERS REQUEST MAS GRANTED
But He DID Not Walt TO Find Out Before
He Asked to be Detsched-He Makes an
Evssive Reply as to the Interview
Cr.tlclsing the President.

WASHIN GTON. May H.-In regard 70
the case OF Admrai~ ieade the Navy De-
partment this Afternoon gave cut the fol-
lowing statement:
THE Navy Department addressed n let
ter to Admiral Meade stating that Il de-
sired to know If he was willing to answer
whether he had given or had authorized
what purported to be an interview with
Inn published In the New York Tribune,
and Admiral Meade replied, acknowledge
ing receipt OF the letter, but declining to
argue the questions.
THE sEcRErARY's STATEMENT
"rhe facts i'm relation to the fault OF
the department TO grant Admiral Meades
request to have the Cincinnati ordered
10 the New York yard instead OF 20 the
Norfolk yard. are that this voosel was
ordered by the department TO 20 10 the
Norfolk navy-yard for some necessary re-
pairs. This was done upon the recom-
m,ndation Of the chief cor structor, who
desired that work. which Is now scarce
at both yards, might be equalizcd between
the Norfolk and Brooklyn yards. Admiral
Meade, who had selected the Cincinnati
for his flag-ship during the absence OF
the New York. was thereupon ordered
to hoist his flag upon that vessel upon her
arrival az Norfolk. In the interim holsting
his iiag on the Minneapolis. He after
wards forwarded a second request 90 tho
department TO have tho vessel Cincin-
natl ordered 20 New York instead OF
Norfolk. on the day the latter request
was received Secretary Herbert was not
In the department at the time, and his
secretary, who was In charge. did not act
upon the request, as he did not think It
proper 10 take sny action In the matter
until the Stcrctary's return. on the next
morning. when Secretary Herbert came
to the office. this matter having been
brought to his attention. he at once sum-
moned before him the chief constructor
and after comforting with him and AS
sistant Secretary McAdoo. Jointly decided
TO order the Cincinnati TO New York. and
at once ordered Admiral Ramsay who
was present. to make out orders to in
tercept the ship at Hampton Roads. and
order her 10 New York lie also directed
orders to be made out 10 Admiral Meade,
notifying him of this change. and orders
both to the Admiral and t. the ship
were written and ready 10 be signed
when a letter came in the noon mail from
Admiral Meade. asking to be detached
from the squadron, which request the
Secretary granted"
MEADE MAY BE couRr-MARrIALED.
Secretary Herbert said he had nothing
to ada Ia explanation of ths above. as Il
included all the Information the depart
ment had to impart. The sole object of
the statement II Is understood. Is 10 show
that Admiral Meade hus actei lmpetous-
ly in his dealings with the department,
first, as stated, I'm asking TO be detach-
ed. because mis- request for the cincinatti
to come to New York was not as prompt-
ly granted as he wished, and by lmplica-
ton that he spoke hastily In the inter-
view which caused 80 much surprise.
The President decided to hold the Ad-
miral to account for his utterances. and
on Saturday last a letter was sent 10 the
Admiral at his club here. asking II he had
authorized the interview. The AdmIrars
reply 10 this letter was received yester-
day, and as he therein declined 10 In
criminate himself, the department was
met by the embarrassing situation that II
would be unable TO prove anything
against the Admiral II resort were had TO
courtmartial proceedings. To. day, when
Secretary Herbert went TO the Cabinet
meeting, he was closely followed by a
messenger, bearing a big volume OF the
naval regulations, corrected TO date. and
other law books. relating 10 court
martial. The entire matter II was stat
ed, was thoroughly considered AT the
Cabinet meeting and Secretary Herbert.
who had hitherto refused TO say any
thing about the case, announced that
statement OF the affair would be given
out this afternoon. | rom 10 o'clock
he was closeted with Admiral Ramsay.
Judge e-Advocate-Genera Lemiey and As
sistant Secretary McAdoo. For por-
ton Of the time ..nsign Niblack, who
was Meade's lieutenant while the Ad-
miral commanded the squadron, was also
present. As result Of this conference
the authorized statement as above was
finally made.