New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-22
KIRKLAND ORDERED HOMIE
THE HEAVY HAND OF THE ADMINS
TRATION FALLS ON THE ADMIRAL.
SEVERAL. CHARGES or 4 TRIVIAL NATURE MADE
AGAINST iIIM-coMMoDORE sELFEIDGE
APPOINTED TO THE COMMAND OF
THE EUROPEAN STATION.

AGAINST urM-coMMopoRE sELFEIDGE
APPOINTED TO THE COMMAND OF
THE EUROPEAN STATION
Washington. Oct. 21.-A sensation IN Naval cir
cles was caused to-day by the announcement that
Rear Admrai william A. Kirkland, command
ing the European Naval Station Of the United
States. had been detached from duty and ordered
home IT is expected that Admiral Kirkland vii!
apply at once to be placed on the retired list.
Commodore Thomas o. Selfridge. jr.. will sue
ceed him as commanding officer Of the European
station.
For some time past Il has been rumored thar
Secretary Herbert was not pleased with the con-
duct of Admiral Kirkland. Dissatisfaction was
first caused by the action OF the Admiral in send
ing letter Of congratuation on his election to
President Faure. Of France. Secretary Herbert
construed this as entirely wrong. holding that the
official position OF the Admral, representing the
dignity Of the United States Navy in European
waters, precuded him from making any comment
whatever with reference to French politics. and
sent a letter OF reprman6. Admiral Kirkland
was not slow to respond and he did so by appeal
ing 10 the President 10 overrule Secretary Her
bert's structures on his conduct He asserted III
his own defence that he had known President
Faure personally AID ne had merely congratu-
lated him in a personal capacity. and not as an
officer Of the United States Navy. 1t is not known
what action the President took in the matter
but the detachment of the Admiral indicates
that the Secretary was sustained by Mr.. Cleve-
land.
Admiral Kirkland next came into public notice
through a newspaper interview in when ne
made some comments on che character OF Ameri-
can missionaries in Syria. whittier he had been
to give them protection during the Armenian
troubles. This brought to the notice OF the
Navy Department by protest from religious
organizations in Boston. Shortly following this
second cause of dissatisfaction came complaint
from A chaplain in the Navy that the Admiral
had insulted him before a number Of officers dur
ing the festivities at the opening OF the kiei
Canal where Admiral Kirkland was In COM
mand Of the United States fleet. 1t was asserted
by the chaplain that while he was standing with
Admiral Kirkland and group Of other officers
on the quarterback Of the flagship San Fran-
cisco. the Admiral turned to him and ordered
him below in brusque, II not insulting manner
because he was not attired in full dress uniform
The chaplain. in his letter to the Navy Depart
ment. made plain that .he chaplans have only
one regulation uniform. which serves for all oc-
casions. and he therefore believed himself very
sided with the chaplain in his complaint. but
it is not known whether he took official action
upon II.
In addition to these reports Of Admiral XIX
land. others reached the Navy Department OF
more personal nature. and after making an m
utli-y into the matter and consulting President
Cleveland, Secretary Herbert to-day issued tne
order OF detachment. Admiral kirkland WEI
nroba bly receive the news by cable AT Algiers,
FOR which place tho San FRANCISCO sailed to-day
from, Gibraltar. according to a dispatch received
at the Navy Department.
While the recall Is. of course, uncomplimentary
70 Admiral Kirkland. there Is no disposition at
the Department TO belittle his record as sailor.
He Is looked upon as man Of action and OF quick
perception. and always ready TO do his duty. He
was appointed To the Navy from North Carolina
I'm 1850 and attained MS present rank on Mdrch
last.
Admiral Kirkland mas not long 10 serve on the
active list but 1t Is believed that he will apply
for retirement without delay. 1t IS said that he
had expressed an intention of going on the retired
list # relieved Of his present duty.
Through his assignment to the European sta
ton Commodore Selfrdge becomes an acting rear
admiral and this fact brings about the un-
preccdented case. at least in the United states
Navy where a father and a son attained the
highest grade of the Naval Service during the
lifetime OF both
Admiral Selfridge's father. hale ana nearly
old gentleman more than fourscore and ten. Is
Rear Admiral Thomas o. Sefrdge. sr He has
been on the retired list for many years II
Admiral Kirkland retire. AT once Adinlral SCI
fridge will change his acting rank for that OF
actual rank. 4 few days ago he passed an eX-
animation for promotion, because of the ap-
proachits retirement in February next of Rear
Admiral Carpenter commanding the Asiatic
Naval Station.