Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-16
ACOURTM MARTIAL FOR MEADE
The Admiral May be Called to
Account
FOR HIS OBNOXIOUS REMARKS
They Were a Violation of
Naval Regulations.
Disrespectful to the President and Secre-
tary of the Navy-The Extraordinary
Manner iu Which He Criticised the
Admiuistration-why He Retires.


WAsHINGToN, May 10.-Tf Admiral
Meade, who hauled down his flag from
the New York yesterday preparatory to
retirement from the navy at his own re-
quest, has been correctly reported in an
interview which appeared in late New
York paper, it is very probable that he
will be summoned before d naval court
martial for violation of the naval
regulations and FOR the disrespect to his
superior officers. The interview has
created sensation in Washington and
has been general topic of discussion to-
day at the Navy Department. 1t is re-
ported that the statements made by the
admiral were brought before the Presi-
det to-day and canvassed in the Cabinet
meeting. In the interview, Admiral Meade
is reported to have stated that he retired
because he was as much disgusted with
the present administration as the people
at large in this country are; that he
preferred to quit tho service rather than
continue his connection with 1t, because
he was ian American and Union man;
two things that this administration cam
not stand"
AT the conclusion of the interview,
Admiral Meade was reported as saying;
IL am Republican, and a man, who
lives on the ocean is apt to imbibe
patriotism and loyalty. | find these
articles at discount with the present
regime. l want to be untrammelled,
when can think and speak as like,
and to that end will doif the gold lace
and don the habiliments of a citizen
who at least has the prerogative OF
standing up for his country's honor.
THE NAVAL REGULATIONS.
The naval regulations expressly for
bid officers from discussing public mat
ters through the press, from writing to
the newspapers or from corresponding
in their columns, from on board ship or
from foreign ports, without express per-
mission secured from the Secretary Of
the Navy. This regulation was ren-
dered necessary in order to prevent the
disclosure of naval movements and
plans swhile in process of execution, and
to obyiate the necessity for constant
deniais or the part of the department Of
assertions to which semi-oftcial au-
thority might, be given by reason OF
their emanation from officers in the SER
vice. Within the past few years Pay
master J. A. Sullivan, of the navy, was
brought to trial before court-martial
on the charge of havicg permitted him
self to be interviewed by Psciiic coast
reporter in criticism OF the SttftrSe 81
| the administration with regard to the
policy in Behring Sea. At the present
time Medical Director Kerschner
is undergoing court-martial at the
Brooklyn nayy-yard on the charge
| OF giving certain matter to the press.
Admiral Meade's offence is the added
one of violently criticising, in defiance
of naval regulations, two of his supe-
rior officers, the President and Secretary
of the Navy, and it is considered ex-
tremely unlikely, in naval circles, that
the department will overlook the mat
ter II is barely possible that the Ad-
miral has been misquoted in part or in
whole, but it is scarcely possible that
he gave no warrant for the publication
| Of the obnoxious interview. Although
his application for retirement has been
granted, with years leave Of absence,
\ Admiral Meade is as subject to naval
regulations as if he were in active COM
mand. Such gross breach of discip-
| line as his attack upon the administra-
tion of the Navy Department and the
foreign policy of the administration can
hardly be permitted to go unchallenged
| by his superiors.
WHY ADMIRAL MEADE RETIREs.
Interview in New York Tribune Saturday.
when reference was made to the
hauling down of his flag on the New
York and the incidental salute, Rear
Admiral Meade said, in reply to the
question:
""rhe hauling down of my flag means
simply that / have been detached from
the, North Atlantic squadron. The
salute is naval etiquette. l am detached
from my squadron at my own request
"When he was asked why he bad
asked to be retired, he said, bitterly:
"tMy ideas are not in accordance
with those Of this administration. l am
Just as much disguised with it as the
people at large in this country, and l
preferred to quit rather than continue
my connection with it,
."What were the causes in detail 2 was
asked. In reply he said:
az am an American and Union
man. These are two things that this
administration cannot stand
"The causes must have been severe
that led you TO ask to be retired, was
suggested. Admiral Meade said
"'I am young man yet have lfEf
years before me thai l might serve 6e-
fore retirement. In two years would
be the ranking officer of the navy. That
is o pretty desirable position, isn't it ?
Well, preferred to resign and sever all
connection with the navy, renounce all
right of succession, and begin anew
rather than to continue in charge with
all that had to contend against. That
ought to give you snme lnkliDg OF the
gravity OF the causes
ShoN ~, /.