The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-22
4 NAVAL SENSATION.
animal hIRkLiND dGdIN IN
TROTBLT.
ueis Reprimanded by secretary herper'
and Appeals to the President-he II De-
tached and Ordered Home

WASHINGTON. oct "A sensation
IN naval circles was caused to-day DIV
the announcement that Rear-Admira'
William A. Kirkland, commanding tne
European naval station Of the CHi''d
States. had been detached from duty ana
ordered home. r-.-,.,-.,
II is expected that Admiral Kirkland
yyut au,,lv III once 10 be placed on Inc
retired list. =.
Commodore Thomas O. Selfr.dge. Jr.'
will succeed him as commanding ohlceI
OF the European station.
For some time past it has been rumor-
ed that Secretary Herbert was hot
pleased with the conduct of Admiral hirA-
land. Dissatisfaction was first caused
by the action of the Admiral In sehulnS
"A letter OF congratulation on MS elec-
ton to President Faure. Of France.
Secretary Herbert construed TINS as
entirely wrong holding that the official
pcsition Of the Admiral. representing the
dignity Of the United States navy IN
European waters. precluded him from
making any comment whatever Win
reference to politics, and sent him
letter of reDrimand. Admiral Kirkland
was not slow TO respond, end he d'd
so by appealing 10 the President to over
rule Secretary Herberts structures on
his conduct.
HIS DTFENcg.
He claimed i'm his own defence that he
had known President Faure personally
and had merely congratulated him In
personal capacity, and not as an officer
OF the United States navy.
1t is not known what action the Pres
dent took I'm the matter, but the de-
d.. loot hat
the Secretary was SUSTAINED by Mr..
Cleveland.
Admiral Kirkland next came into pub
lie notice through a newspaper inter-
view, in which he made some insulting
comments on the character of American
missionaries in Syria, whittier he had
been TO give the protection during the
Armenian troubles.
This was brought to the notice Of the
Navy Department by protests from re-
llgioUs organizations in Boston. Mass.
Shortly following this second cause OF
dissatisfaction. was a complaint from a
chaplain IN the navy that the Admiral
had insulted him before a number Of
officers. during the festivities at the
opening Of the kiel canal, where Ad-
miral Kirkland was I'm command Of the
United States fleet. II was claimed BY
the chaplain that while standing with
Admiral Kirkland and a group of other
officers on the quarterback Of the flag
ship San Francisco. the Admiral turned
to him and ordered him below In .
brusque if not insulting manner, because
he was not attired in full-dress uniform.
cNLY oSF UNIFORM.
The chaplain, in his letter TO the Navy
Department. made il plain that chap
iains have only one regulation uniform
which serves for all occasions, and he
therefore believed himself very badly
used II is said that Secretary Herbert
sided with the chaplain In his complaint.
but IL is not known whether he took
official action upon L.
ln addition to these reports concerning
Admiral Kirkland, others reached the
Navy Department, OF a more personal
nature, and after making a pretty thor
ough investigation into the matter. and
consulting President Cleveland. Secretary
Herbert to-day issued the order OF de-
tachment.
Admiral Kirkland will probably receive
the news by cable at Alsiers. for which
place the San Francisco sailed to-day
from Gibraltar. according TO dispatch
received at the Navy Department.
Go0D Rrcogp As SAILOR.
While the recall Is. Of course, uncom-
plimentary TO Admiral Kirkland. there
Is no disposition at the Department 10
belittle his record as a sailor. He IS
looked on as man OF active and
quick perception and always ready 10
do his duty.
lie was appointed to the navy from
North Carolina in $50 and attained his
present rank March lst last.
Admiral Kirkland has not long to serve
on the active list. but il is believed that
ne will apply for retirement without de-
lay.
II is said that he has expressed the in
tention Of going on the retired lisi II
relieved Of his present duty
DEATHS.