Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-10-19
WASHINGTON LETTER
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

'Ci' 10 iVnh III IHNOT WIN lue THuh HUV
file OF the navy than any other sec.
retnry in twenty years. Just why it
should be 50 might be II little difficult
Tor Iandamnn to understand. Per-
sonNIIy, ! rather ike Herbert. He
has always seemed to Inc very cred.
liable product Of the South, pains
taking, honest, conservative individ-
uNi, with II tinciure of AmerlcuuiSm,
which is gratifying to run across in
this administration. But all that
doesn't seem to weigh with the old
salts, vino prize their privilege of keep
ing the Stars and Stripes ahoat, and
say there never has been asecretary in
recent years who has been SO ont Of
touch with the true spirit of the SER
vice as Herbert and they back their
opinion with citations. "rhere is the
case of Admiral Kirkland" he said.
"hlrkland Is one of the oldest and
best officers in the navy. He has
served his country with distinction.
de Is gentleman by nature and train
ing, and he understands the etiquette
of his position. He is warm per-
sonal friend of NJ Faure, the new
President of France has been inti-
mate with him for years, and in the
most natural way in the world he
wrote faure note congratulating
him upon his election. Now, | can
conceive of anything more harmless
than that or less likely to lead to elm.
barra5slug complications. But Her.
bert who is utterly ignorant
OF such matters, is unnccount.
ably seized with the fantastic
notion that it WAS violation
of naval etiquette or some other kind
of etiquette and buutly demands
copy OF the letter from Kirkland, and,
when Kirkland says he cannot furnish
copy, goes to work in an under
handed way to get copy of it from
the French President. Then he rep
rimands kirkland for writing it and
owlishly dwells upon the danger to
our relations with France arising from
such Il monstrous otfense. That sort
OF thing goes against the
grain with the navy. We
have not observed that any rep
rimand has been served out to Am
bussador Eustis. But Eustls went out of
his way, in public speech on the
Fourth Of July, to felicitate the new
President of France on his promotion
and If anybody is to be put on the
grdron it seems to me that Eustis
should be the one.
NAVAL EvoLUrIoNs-The North
Atlantic squadron of evolution, now
at Hampton Roals, has completed
the program arranged at the begin
ming of the summer, but it is probable
that the movements will be continued
throughout the winter, the fleet re.
naming intact. 1t is stated at the de-
partnent that many valuable lessons
have resulted from the cruise of the
squadron along the Atlantic coast and
that desire to secure additional in
formation is the strongest ground for
the practical intention to extend the
program. Heretofore the navy de.
pNrtmeut has been guided in its ar
rNngements OF eyOlutions by what the
great European naval powers have
undertaken, but the desire now is to
carry out program arranged with
out regard to foreign tactics, and
with particular attention to the capa-
bilities OF the vessels comprising the
squadron. The difference in size,
horse power and sailing abil-
ity of the vessels in Admiral
Bunce's fleet makes it necessary that
practical demonstration shall govern
the tactics, and the department is
anxious to obtain data of the relative
requirements of the vessels to secure
harmonious results i'll executing the
same movement. Officials of the de-
partment say that Admiral Bunce will
have the entire disposition of his feet
for the winter, aud may take it where
he pleases.
LIEUT.. gems. RANK-The transfer
OF Gen. Miles from the command of
the department of the East at New
York to the high post at Washington
will, it is generally believed, cause
Gen. Ruger to be given the command
of the eastern department. Gen.
Ruger was strongly backed for the
higher command for which the
President has selected Gen. Miles,
but the latter elevation will
probably give greater popular
satisfaction. 1t is expected that
during the coming winter an effort
will be made in Congress to put
through bill reviving the rank of
acknowledgement for Gen. Miles
benefit, as was done for Sherman,
Sheridan and Schofeld. Gen. Miles
has very influential friends in Congress,
and the efforts of those to procure
for him the honors accorded to his
predecessors in the com.
mund of the army will be warmly
seconded by members and senators
from the West, where Gen. Miles
services in the Indian campaigns made
him many warm admires.
SIR JULIAN MAY GO TO FRANoE-It
is rumorel in diplomatic circles in
London that Sir Julinn Pauncefote
British Ambassador to the United
States, will succeed Lord Dutferin as
Ambassador to France. Sir Julians
preference for Washington over some
of the better paid European posts is not
concealed, but ii he should be offered
the blue ribbon of the diplomatic ser.
vice he would, it is said, be certain
TO accept it.
DONE IN OIn-An oil painting of
the late Secretary Gresham, painted
by Artist Pebbles, OF Chicago, was
hung in the diplomatic room of the
State Department. The portrait is
life size and represents the lnte Secre-
tary sitting in his favorite chair at one
corner of the table over which diplo.
matte conferences take place.